Audio Research 160M

Mike said:
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If the kitchen sells the house, then the meter sells the amp.

Triode mode is absolutely delicious.


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And I think they look especially good in the dark.


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I stopped by Mike’s earlier today. These amps are gorgeous! Can’t comment on sound yet since they had less than 2 hrs of burn time. But, they did sound pretty good with the MSB front end and the Gryphon Pantheon speakers.
 
I’m in the store this morning and the 160M’s have about 30 hours on them. In Triode mode, these amps sound like my sweet 300b SET amps, but with much better bass. Very sweet, airy, harmonically rich, tonally dense and engaging. In Ultralinear mode, they sound like the GS150, only better bigger and even more effortless. The 160M’s are an incredible amps - inside and out. Just incredible.


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Glad to see it isn't just me smitten by the 160M's :)

Mike said:
I’m in the store this morning and the 160M’s have about 30 hours on them. In Triode mode, these amps sound like my sweet 300b SET amps, but with much better bass. Very sweet, airy, harmonically rich, tonally dense and engaging. In Ultralinear mode, they sound like the GS150, only better bigger and even more effortless. The 160M’s are an incredible amps - inside and out. Just incredible.


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Nice Mike[emoji106]

In Triode mode (80wpc?), do they lose a bit of bass authority and dynamics compared to Ultralinear?

I’m assuming Triode mode works better with more intimate music where the focus is vocals, instrumental timbres and textures, and ultralinear is more appropriate for music requiring more bass depth and control, like orchestral or hard charging rock??
 
cmalak said:
Nice Mike[emoji106]

In Triode mode (80wpc?), do they lose a bit of bass authority and dynamics compared to Ultralinear?

I’m assuming Triode mode works better with more intimate music where the focus is vocals, instrumental timbres and textures, and ultralinear is more appropriate for music requiring more bass depth and control, like orchestral or hard charging rock??
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I can’t say yet. Too early. Triode mode is intoxicating. I’m in the store on a Sunday. Can’t stop listening. Must go home!

It’s great to have options. Ultralinear would be great for classical I’m sure.


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So Mike, how're you getting on with the 160M's—as they evolve are you still transfixed? Better than GS150? Better than REF250SE? Have you slept?
 
Bobvin said:
So Mike, how're you getting on with the 160M's—as they evolve are you still transfixed? Better than GS150? Better than REF250SE? Have you slept?
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Oh man, they are fabulous. Triode mode is soooooooooo delicious. Way better than GS150, REF250SE. They have this sweet sound with amazing definition and layering of sound. I’m at 90 hours I think.


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Mike said:
Oh man, they are fabulous. Triode mode is soooooooooo delicious. Way better than GS150, REF250SE. They have this sweet sound with amazing definition and layering of sound. I’m at 90 hours I think.


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ARC says the they may be the best sounding amps they have manufactured.
I am willing to put that claim to the test!
 
Hi Mike,

Can you describe the differences between the 160M's and the 250SE's please. thank you
 
gasherbaum said:
Hi Mike,

Can you describe the differences between the 160M's and the 250SE's please. thank you
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The 160M’s in Triode mode have an intoxicating, 300b SET like sweetness. In Ultralinear mode, they sound like the 250SE’s.


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Mike, are the 160’s on the usual 600hr break-in schedule? Further thoughts & impressions?
 
Bobvin said:
Mike, are the 160’s on the usual 600hr break-in schedule? Further thoughts & impressions?
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Yes. They are breaking in beautifully. I cannot believe how advanced these are sonically over my GS150. The linearity, clarity, microdetail retrieval and sweetness is intoxicating. The soundstage is expanding as they break in.


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Bobvin said:
Mike, are the 160’s on the usual 600hr break-in schedule? Further thoughts & impressions?
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When I talked to Dave Gordon from ARC at RMAF a few years ago, I told him the Ref 6 and Ref 75 didn't need 600 hours of break in time to sound great. Dave agreed and said ARC was going to change the 600 hour reminder they place in the box of their gear. Apparently they haven't done that yet. People see this piece of paper and assume its gospel it will take 600 hours of break in time before their new ARC gear sounds its best. Many people literally can't enjoy their new gear until they know they have put 600 hours on it.
 
I’ve owned quite a few ARC components. Always enjoyed the break in journey and never worried too much about the 600 hrs. Also, to me the journey meant that, with time, the quality if the music reproduction would continue to improve.

To me, the magic number has been around 300 hrs. Not that before 300 hrs the system sounded bad, it’s just that it got better!

Anyway, it’s all about music.
 
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