Arc ref160s

Ritmo

Ritmo

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[TD="class: yiv5030631446mcnTextContent"][h=1][FONT=helvetica neue, helvetica, arial, verdana, sans-serif]REF160S Stereo Power Amplifier[/FONT][/h][/TD]
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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: ​


  • [*=left]Weight: 100 Lbs
    [*=left]Depth: 21.5”
    [*=left]Power Rating: 140 WPC
    [*=left]2 Rear Handles (for increased mobility)
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Very nice! I wonder if it will have a Triode setting like the monos. I don’t see it mentioned.
 
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?
 
Dguitarnut said:
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?
Click to expand...

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


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Dguitarnut said:
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?
Click to expand...

The 200iQ is designed for KT88s. You can use KT150s, but won’t get more power. It’s not optimized for KT150s.
 
Mike said:
Awesome! Very pretty. Beats the heck out of the old REF150.


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Click to expand...

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
 
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
 
Bifwynne said:
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
Click to expand...

Just at the show. Can’t really comment.


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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





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


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Click to expand...
 
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