Audio Research 160M

Bobvin said:
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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Congrats Bob. When you put them in Triode mode, you'll be loving them!
 
Don't worry, if by some odd chance you didn't like them, I'd happily trade you my amp for them.

Bobvin said:
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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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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Wow Bob, congratulations! These are dream amps for sure... I have nothing to say about the wood situation other than I am sure I would be right there also if I had a pair of these coming in. That is fantastic.... enjoy!
 
Ken (alpinist) thanks for responding to my post. I'm trying to discern as much as I can about the 160M's because my local dealer has nothing but a REF 75SE and a REF6. Bob V can you shed any light on the differences between the 160M's and your Ref 75 with KT 150s? Thanks everyone.
 
gasherbaum said:
Ken (alpinist) thanks for responding to my post. I'm trying to discern as much as I can about the 160M's because my local dealer has nothing but a REF 75SE and a REF6. Bob V can you shed any light on the differences between the 160M's and your Ref 75 with KT 150s? Thanks everyone.
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I certainly am not the one to ask, as I've not heard or laid eyes on the 160M's. I am buying sight unseen and sound unheard. I believe it is a safe bet... The Ref75 with KT150 tubes, in my system (I did not upgrade my amp to the SE version) has been a delight on nearly every level. Granted, the REF75 doesn't have the kind control of the Alexia woofers you'll get from a SS design like the D'agostino amps, but I have been willing to accept that fact in trade for the wonderful timber and nuance of the midrange, where vocals have a 3-dimensional truth and purity I find compelling.

Given the GS150 came after the current REF lineup and was consistently reported to be (possibly) the best sounding ARC amp they'd made, I am of the opinion that the REF160 amp, being mono-blocks, is likely to bring the GS150 qualities to an even higher level. Initial reports is they do just that, and my speaking with Dave Gordon at ARC leads me to understand they consider the REF160 to improve in significant ways on the GS150.

Everyone makes decisions in this hobby with their own reasoning. I am a longtime fan of ARC so I certainly have loyalty and bias. Their latest offerings offer hi-fidelity at a price well below many manufacturers, and many will argue this or that brand is more realistic. It usually is a matter of what parameters are most compelling for you, and your budget. I feel blessed to have assembled a very, very enjoyable system and expect the new amps will bring more of what I like from ARC (and satisfy my jones to finally own a pair of ARC monos.) My wife thinks I am f_ing nuts, but fortunately she loves me and lets me get away with things I probably ought not to. Bless her heart.
 
Lets ask Mikey — he's had a pair now almost a couple months... still in infatuation stage or has the shine worn off? I'm guessing your's are about fully run-in by now?
 
I have owned my Ref. 160's for about a month now. While I do not have a lot of hours on them yet I can say that they are flat out amazing.
When I removed my temporary cabling and my re-calibrated Transparent cables were inserted the sound reached another level of excellence.

With my very efficient Avantgarde Duo XD's triode mode sounds heavenly. So engaging and sweet sounding with layering in the soundstage like I have never experienced in my system.
I am having an issue with a loud pop through the speakers when shutting the amps off. This would not be an issue with most as the high efficiency speakers are most likely revealing this.
ARC is aware of this and I am hopeful that a solution will be provided.

If I can just figure out what DAC to purchase I should be in sonic bliss for a long time!
 
Bobvin said:
I certainly am not the one to ask, as I've not heard or laid eyes on the 160M's. I am buying sight unseen and sound unheard. I believe it is a safe bet... The Ref75 with KT150 tubes, in my system (I did not upgrade my amp to the SE version) has been a delight on nearly every level. Granted, the REF75 doesn't have the kind control of the Alexia woofers you'll get from a SS design like the D'agostino amps, but I have been willing to accept that fact in trade for the wonderful timber and nuance of the midrange, where vocals have a 3-dimensional truth and purity I find compelling.
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Bob, can't wait to hear your thoughts. This is a great decision in light of your speaker choice, which can be demanding at times into lower impedances - the monoblocks with separate transformers should be amazing!
 
KeithR said:
Bob, can't wait to hear your thoughts. This is a great decision in light of your speaker choice, which can be demanding at times into lower impedances - the monoblocks with separate transformers should be amazing!
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My quote seems almost like I am saying the bass from the Ref75, into the Alexias, has less than stellar performance. Just not the same grunt and bite as the very best SS designs, but you might give up some tonality the Ref75 offers. I expect the 160's to be better for sure.
 
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