Audio Research 160M

If you want a full impression of the 160M from me I already posted in one of Mike's other threads on Axpona.

The reason my opinion counts, I was not an ARC fan. I do give credit where credit is due. The 160M is one of the most impressive amps I've heard and I would not have been surprised to hear the price was twice or more what they really sell for. Yes, they have finesse, no, I have never heard any prior ARC amp with the authority, transient response and control the 160M displayed, very few other amps either. The 160M comes as close to my perfect desire for amp amp as I've heard. It will be interesting to see what die hard ARC fans think of the sound.

The "M" at the end of 160 stands for "Monster"
 
Mr Peabody said:
If you want a full impression of the 106M from me I already posted in one of Mike's other threads on Axpona.

The reason my opinion counts, I was not an ARC fan. I do give credit where credit is due. The 106M is one of the most impressive amps I've heard and I would not have been surprised to hear the price was twice or more what they really sell for. Yes, they have finesse, no, I have never heard any prior ARC amp with the authority, transient response and control the 106M displayed, very few other amps either. The 106M comes as close to my perfect desire for amp amp as I've heard. It will be interesting to see what diehard ARC fans think of the sound.

The "M" at the end of 106 stands for "Monster"
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Have you ever tried the ML 33 /33H ...?
 
jdandy said:
I think the Audio Research 160M looks spectacular in black.


AUDIORESEARCH_REF160M_black_finishing(1).png
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I think the same!


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Mike, I'm very much looking forward to hearing your thoughts as soon as you have them in the store. I wonder if they'll have the 600hours break-in. I am already selling anything laying around that can be sold—gotta stuff that piggy bank.
 
I have PrimaLuna amps, and have been considering VTL and VAC... Or, moving to Pass Labs and solid state world. I completely agree with Cyril's comments above. It amazes me that tube manufacturers have been so slow to adopt auto biasing, and triode/linear switching. An indicator for hours on your tubes is also a very welcome bit of information. Hopefully, this will be a wake up call to other manufacturers, as Audio Research has a pretty high visibility profile for those who are going through their first real upgrades... Customers will learn a lot about these concepts just because Audio Research is now offering it. Auto biasing alone is what finally got me into tubes. I'm excited to hear if the value is truly matching the price range, and to learn more about the details of how this is built. That front display sure seems interesting. Maybe similar has been done before, but I haven't seen something quite like that before.

HOWEVER, the price is pretty tall when considering the competition. $30k can buy a lot of great amps out there.
 
One needs to look past the hype and drool mania and review the amps based on the sound qualities. Up to now I have seen nothing in the main press.

I have been a loyal ARC cadre but at this price point (especially after reading Joe's glowing feedback) the M400 have suddenly become a very attractive alternative for me...
 
Jozua said:
One needs to look past the hype and drool mania and review the amps based on the sound qualities. Up to now I have seen nothing in the main press.

I have been a loyal ARC cadre but at this price point (especially after reading Joe's glowing feedback) the M400 have suddenly become a very attractive alternative for me...
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They just started shipping this week. We probably won’t see a review for a few months. I’ll get my pair Friday and let you know my thoughts.
 
Jozua said:
Looking forward to your impressions Mike !!

I will be able to audition the 160M a couple of days after the Munich show ends...
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Will do. I have the REF10 warmed up and waiting for them! To see and hear them in person, is a whole new experience.
 
Mike, was it the Ref 10 being used with the 160M's at AXPONA?

I can't wait to hear others feedback on the 160M's.

I'm sure those were stellar recordings being used on the MQA vs non-MQA demo, the 160M's allowed the emotion of Dvorak's Dunky Trio to come through, yet on the other hand had, just stunning, slam on a full orchestral piece with drum percussion. I suspect the 160M's will be a major contender at their price.

That was a fairly large room, it would be interesting to hear in a more intimate setting.
 
Mr Peabody said:
Mike, was it the Ref 10 being used with the 160M's at AXPONA?

I can't wait to hear others feedback on the 160M's.

I'm sure those were stellar recordings being used on the MQA vs non-MQA demo, the 160M's allowed the emotion of Dvorak's Dunky Trio to come through, yet on the other hand had, just stunning, slam on a full orchestral piece with drum percussion. I suspect the 160M's will be a major contender at their price.

That was a fairly large room, it would be interesting to hear in a more intimate setting.
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It was actually the REF6. I can’t wait for the 160M’s to arrive tomorrow.

I have so many goodies coming into the store in the next month or two, it’s going to be fun.
 
6f03bc008289f009b5b5371bf56f48f4.jpg


If the kitchen sells the house, then the meter sells the amp.

Triode mode is absolutely delicious.


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