Audio Research 160M

With these, they sounded superb out of the box and have only improved. I think their amps are linear in terms of break in. The preamps can yo-yo a bit during break in.
 
Mike

I am very impressed with my ARC equipment- it possibly gives me the best 3d sound I have ever had.

Despite my desire to up the game to something better I just cannot reconcile myself with the look and price of the M160.

Would it be wise to add 25% to the M160M price tag and explore Dan's M400 mono-blocks?

Just wondering..

J
 
Jozua said:
Mike

I am very impressed with my ARC equipment- it possibly gives me the best 3d sound I have ever had.

Despite my desire to up the game to something better I just cannot reconcile myself with the look and price of the M160.

Would it be wise to add 25% to the M160M price tag and explore Dan's M400 mono-blocks?

Just wondering..

J
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Have you seen and heard the REF 160M’s in person? They must be seen in person, the photos don’t do them justice. They also must be heard - especially in Triode mode.


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Jozua said:
Mike

My scheduled listening session with the 160M has been postponed to early June !

How close is the Momentum 400 to the ARC160M?

Regards

J
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I look forward to your feedback! Make sure you hear them in Triode mode.


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Hey Mike, forgive me but I’m back again for a weekly update on life with the new 160m. You’re the only guy I have found that has a pair already. My wife of course hopes you’ll find something negative but me, I’m counting on you to keep my Jones alive!
 
Bobvin said:
Hey Mike, forgive me but I’m back again for a weekly update on life with the new 160m. You’re the only guy I have found that has a pair already. My wife of course hopes you’ll find something negative but me, I’m counting on you to keep my Jones alive!
Click to expand...

I was delighted to hear them on the Avantgarde’s. Dead quiet. In Triode mode, simply delicious. When Justin visited this week, he posted his comments. To me, he said the REF160M’s make other amps sound boring and homogenized. He really liked them.

The venting is very efficient. The tops don’t get overly hot.

Downside? Uhmmm...hmmm...well, on the Avantgarde’s, they’re so efficient, the needles don’t move much. A wiggle more than a bounce. [emoji6]. I would guesstimate that the power output is a little understated. They certainly seem more powerful than their spec’d 150 Watts.


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The 160M is certainly like no other ARC amp I've heard in the past. I agree, it definitely has a powerful sound. The transient and control I heard with the Wilson was really impressive.
 
Got to hear these for the first time outside of Axpona last night with Wilson Sasha 2’s for a few songs. Very impressive! My preferences are typically aligned with Class A solid state, and these amps had the low end control I’ve not heard before with the ARC amps and the rest of the presentation was detailed (not analytical) with a tick of warmth. Transient response was there as well, no slow syrupy sound from these amps.

Paired with a Ref 6 pre and dCS Rossini, the sound stage filled the room and one could visualize placement of each player. Very cool setup. I’ll be giving them another audition for sure when I have time to do some more in-depth listening.
 
I had the opportunity last weekend to listen to the ARC Reference 160M monoblocks at a fellow AudioShark member’s home. The rest of the system was an Esoteric Grandioso K1 CD/SACD Player, an Esoteric Grandioso G1 Master Clock, an ARC Reference 10 preamp, B&W 800 D3 Speakers, Shunyata Triton V3 and Typhon Power Conditioning, Transparent Reference XL cabling and Stillpoints. The system was meticulously set up in an outstanding listening room.

The Reference 160M monoblocks produced gorgeous tonality, with plenty of punch, tight and robust bass and expansive soundstage. In the ultralinear mode, the music was very liquid sounding with terrific layering but also quite detailed and precise. In the triode mode, the presentation became more organic and relaxed sounding but with a bit less detail and precision.

Both modes were extremely enjoyable and it was very quick to switch between them with a touch of a button. I think the triode mode excels on jazz and acoustic vocals or an edgy recording to smooth it out. But quite honestly, it works well on everything. To conclude, the Ref 160M are fantastic sounding amps, beautiful to look at and my favorite in the ARC line. A real step forward for ARC.

Ken
 
Jimmy S and Alpinist, thanks for those reviews. Can you shed any light on how the 160M's differ from the other ARC amps, such as the 150SE or 250SEs? thanks
 
gasherbaum said:
Jimmy S and Alpinist, thanks for those reviews. Can you shed any light on how the 160M's differ from the other ARC amps, such as the 150SE or 250SEs? thanks
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More refinement and finesse, in my opinion.

Ken
 
OK Mike, a couple more weeks have passed since I’ve pestered you for more 160M notes... and to be sure, comments from others are only adding to my Jones. I may be pulling the trigger soon. Are your’s on the stock footers?

My delema is, somewhat, given the price of 160M’s and additional amp-stand & power cord, we’re in the neighborhood of D’agostino S250—and if I have ever considered SS amp in my system thats the one. Small matters of degrees and taste I suppose, I expect the all-ARC synergy would get the nod, at the slight expense of the ultimate control of the Alexia woofers.
 
Bobvin said:
OK Mike, a couple more weeks have passed since I’ve pestered you for more 160M notes... and to be sure, comments from others are only adding to my Jones. I may be pulling the trigger soon. Are your’s on the stock footers?

My delema is, somewhat, given the price of 160M’s and additional amp-stand & power cord, we’re in the neighborhood of D’agostino S250—and if I have ever considered SS amp in my system thats the one. Small matters of degrees and taste I suppose, I expect the all-ARC synergy would get the nod, at the slight expense of the ultimate control of the Alexia woofers.
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Well, I continue to try them on different speakers and continue to be amazed. If the ARC guys say this is the best amp they’ve ever made, I couldn’t argue. Better than any ARC amp I’ve owned, that’s for darn sure.

With time, they continue to open up and just amaze me with tonal richness, bass control, separation and musicality.

To my ears, the D’Ag is a great amp, but has some energy in the midbass. That will exacerbate Wilson Alexia character traits. The ARC is more balanced IMHO. Constellation is the closest SS, IMO, to the ARC in terms of linearity, something I firmly believe in for most speakers. ARC has also been around for 48 years and I suspect will be around for 48 more and beyond. Others cannot claim that. Audiophiles have seemingly turned a blind eye to brand longevity despite the loss of Charlie Hansen, Ken Shindo, AJ Conte, Jim Thiel and more.


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Agh, piggy bank stuffed! My garage is clear of multiple pieces of power equipment I’ve not needed here in Oregon (I still have my tractor!), and the Minister of Finance has given the nod of approval (I just told her its been a fantasy since I was in my 20’s to own ARC mono-blocks), so it looks like I’ll be ordering up a pair of 160M shortly.

Now how do I walk around and hide this audio chubby!
 
Bobvin said:
Agh, piggy bank stuffed! My garage is clear of multiple pieces of power equipment I’ve not needed here in Oregon (I still have my tractor!), and the Minister of Finance has given the nod of approval (I just told her its been a fantasy since I was in my 20’s to own ARC mono-blocks), so it looks like I’ll be ordering up a pair of 160M shortly.

Now how do I walk around and hide this audio chubby!
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Cobgratulations Bob! I’ve seen and heard the Ref 160s at Mike’s store. They are impressive in looks and sound. Should be a fantastic match for your Alexias.

BTW, enjoy the journey through break in. Some people complain about it but it has never bothered me.

Lastly, when I heard the 160s at Mike’s they only had a few hours on them. And, they sounded pretty darn good!
 
Bob , i think i will just say congratulations as you seem to have made your choice on those Amps :) can only imagine they will be great.
 
My audio guardian angel has looked after me, so buying sight unseen and unheard, and it has worked out for me in the past. That said, Mike’s comments and those of others who haven’t been big ARC fanboys (like myself) have made the decision easier.
 
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