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Thread: Arc ref160s

  1. #1
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    Arc ref160s

    REF160S Stereo Power Amplifier
    MAPLE GROVE, MN – MAY, 9th 2019 Audio Research is pleased to announce the launch of the Reference 160S stereo power amplifier. The new product distills the astonishing resolution, dynamic impact, musical purity and finesse of the 160M into one beautiful and attainable chassis designed for the music lover in all of us.

    Following the example of the internationally-acclaimed 160M monaural power amplifier introduced in 2018, the Reference 160S (REF160S) is a vacuum-tube design with dual transparent power meters that float in front of the eight KT150 output power tubes.

    PRODUCT WILL START SHIPPING Q3 2019

    Product Details:

    • Weight: 100 Lbs
    • Depth: 21.5”
    • Power Rating: 140 WPC
    • 2 Rear Handles (for increased mobility)
    _______________

    Mike

    Amplification: MBL 6010D, MBL 9008A Monos
    Analog: Kuzma R, Kuzma 4Point (11”), MSL Ultra Eminent EX
    Phono Pre: Pass XP-27
    Digital: Esoteric N01XD Esoteric K05
    Speakers: MBL 101E MKII
    Subwoofers: REL Carbon Specials
    Conditioner: Shunyata Triton 3
    Power Cables: Shunyata Sigma 1 & 2, Alpha 2, Delta and Venom
    ICs and SCs: Wireworld Platinum 8
    Rack: Artesania Exoteryc

  2. #2
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    Re: Arc ref160s

    Very nice! I wonder if it will have a Triode setting like the monos. I don’t see it mentioned.
    Fleetwood Deville by Oswald Mills Audio, Vienna Acoustics Haydn Jubilee, Wharfedale Linton w/ stands, Klipsch RB-75, Klipsch RP-160M.

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    First Watt SIT-3, Job 250 Monos, NuForce STA200, AkitikA GT-102 amp, ASL Wave monos, Dennis Had 45 monos. Absolute Audio Labs PCF 25 amp (improved First Watt F7 super clone)

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  3. #3
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    Re: Arc ref160s

    Quote Originally Posted by joeinid View Post
    Very nice! I wonder if it will have a Triode setting like the monos. I don’t see it mentioned.
    The button on the right side of the face is labeled Ultralinear/Triode in the picture above.
    Buddy

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  4. #4
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    Re: Arc ref160s

    Thank you Buddy. I had difficulty reading the labels.
    Fleetwood Deville by Oswald Mills Audio, Vienna Acoustics Haydn Jubilee, Wharfedale Linton w/ stands, Klipsch RB-75, Klipsch RP-160M.

    Job INTegrated. Luxman L-595aSE

    NAD C 658 streamer.

    First Watt SIT-3, Job 250 Monos, NuForce STA200, AkitikA GT-102 amp, ASL Wave monos, Dennis Had 45 monos. Absolute Audio Labs PCF 25 amp (improved First Watt F7 super clone)

    Topping D90, RME Audio ADI-2 DAC FS, ModWright Ultimate Sony XA-5400ES.

    Burmester 948, McIntosh MCLK12, Kimber Kable, Siltech, Cardas, Avanti Audio cables.

  5. #5
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    Re: Arc ref160s

    the monos are awesome and i'm sure this is right there with them.
    Aurender > Weiss > Audio Research > SoundField
    Oppo > Lexicon > Hegel > SoundField

  6. #6
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    Re: Arc ref160s

    Wish my Vac 200IQ was that pretty! Wow.
    Odd how they only squeeze out 140w/pc with 8 kt150s while the Vac gets 100w/pc with only 4 kt150s. Are the Vacs driven that much harder and the tubes life will be shorter?
    Larry


    Lumin U1
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    Vac 200IQ Amp
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    Timbernation walnut racks

  7. #7

    Re: Arc ref160s

    Quote Originally Posted by Dguitarnut View Post
    Wish my Vac 200IQ was that pretty! Wow.
    Odd how they only squeeze out 140w/pc with 8 kt150s while the Vac gets 100w/pc with only 4 kt150s. Are the Vacs driven that much harder and the tubes life will be shorter?
    It's prettier than my excellent Octave RE 320 too, potential sound differences aside. The Octave does 130 W/ch with two KT 150 per channel, it's pentode class A/B. Perhaps the Ref 160 is more class A(ish).

    I don't think the tube life is shorter in my A/B circuit; if anything, the tubes in the Octave have the chance to live particularly long because of a sophisticated soft start feature which over two minutes brings the tubes slowly up to operating conditions. The amp has also a great protective circuitry, which has kicked in twice now (due to my own stupidity, not because something would have been wrong with the amp).
    Simaudio Moon Neo 260 DT CD Transport / MIT SL-Matrix Plus AES/EBU digital cable / Schiit Yggdrasil Analog 2 DAC / Octave HP 700 preamp / Octave RE 320 stereo amp with Super Black Box / Reference 3A Reflector monitors on Sound Anchors Signature Stands / dual JL Audio Fathom 112 v2 subwoofers on ASC SubTraps / ZenWave Audio D4 and SMSG cables / Acoustic treatment: tube traps, Tri-panels, window plugs, ceiling diffusers (all ASC), large absorbing panels (Acoustics First), diverse carpets chosen for acoustic properties: wool, polypropylene basket-weave

  8. #8
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    Re: Arc ref160s

    All business, I love it in black!


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    Source Analog: Kuzma Stabi R w/4point 11 arm | Kuzma 50 Cartridge
    Source Digital: Aurender N10 | Brinkmann Nyquist MK II
    Amplification: Dan D’Agostino Momentum HD and M400’s | Boulder 508
    Speakers: Wilson Alexias
    Cabling: Nordost Leif, Norse, V2 and Odin
    Power and Isolation: Audio-Ultra Home & Room Power Foundation Performance Package with StromTank S1000 | HRS









  9. #9
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    Re: Arc ref160s

    Awesome! Very pretty. Beats the heck out of the old REF150.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

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  10. #10
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    Re: Arc ref160s

    Quote Originally Posted by Dguitarnut View Post
    Wish my Vac 200IQ was that pretty! Wow.
    Odd how they only squeeze out 140w/pc with 8 kt150s while the Vac gets 100w/pc with only 4 kt150s. Are the Vacs driven that much harder and the tubes life will be shorter?
    The 200iQ is designed for KT88s. You can use KT150s, but won’t get more power. It’s not optimized for KT150s.
    Analog source: AMG Viella 12; Ortofon Anna cartridge, van den Hul Crimson Stradivarius XGW
    Digital source: Totaldac d1-twelve Mk2 DAC, Totaldac d1-player, Totaldac d1-streamer, Totaldac Live Power supply
    Pre amp: VAC Master with phono
    Phonostage: ​Constellation Andromeda
    Amps: VAC 200iQ monoblocks
    Speakers: Magico M3 with MPods
    Cables: Synergistic Research Galileo SX speaker, phono, analog and digital interconnects
    Power products: Synergistic Research Galileo PowerCell SX and Transporter Ultra. Galileo SX and SRX power cords. Keces P3 LPS for cable modem and router.

  11. #11

    Re: Arc ref160s

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike View Post
    Awesome! Very pretty. Beats the heck out of the old REF150.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Mike, are you referring to the REF 150 or the SE version? BTW, I understand that the REF 160S weighs 100 pounds. Where is the extra weight coming from?? Larger trannies?

    BIF

  12. #12

    Re: Arc ref160s

    Mike,

    Have you had a chance to listen to the new CD6SE. I own a REF CD-8. Thinking about a swap to get into streaming. Any thoughts? How do the redbook ops compare between the CD-8 and CD6SE?

    BIF
    System description: VPI Classic "2.7" (basic Classic turntable plinth, with Classic 3 tone arm base and SS wand; upgraded stock Classic 600 rpm motor for 300 rpm motor); Lyra Kleos cartridge; VPI periphery ring and SS clamp; 35 pound maple TT slab base; ARC phono 3SE ; ARC Ref 6SE linestage; ARC Ref CD-9SE CD player; ARC Ref 150 SE power amp; Paradigm Signature 8 (v3)speakers w/ BE dome tweeters; Kimber Hero I/Cs; Kimber speaker cables.

  13. #13
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    Re: Arc ref160s

    Quote Originally Posted by Bifwynne View Post
    Mike,

    Have you had a chance to listen to the new CD6SE. I own a REF CD-8. Thinking about a swap to get into streaming. Any thoughts? How do the redbook ops compare between the CD-8 and CD6SE?

    BIF
    Just at the show. Can’t really comment.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

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  14. #14
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    Re: Arc ref160s

    MIke

    On this point we have to agree to disagree -I prefer the old Ref 150 look, the new look reminds me of a microwave. I also have concerns re how the perspex facia will age?

    Now if ARC can bring out a solid face Ref160s then they might have my interest. For the moment, old school rules for me.

    Regards

    J





    Quote Originally Posted by Mike View Post
    Awesome! Very pretty. Beats the heck out of the old REF150.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Arc ref160s

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