Audio Research Ref160M
 

Breaks cover at CES.

https://www.stereophile.com/content/...parent-ref160m

Interesting. Anyone know more?

I note the Ref designation. Is this the new look for Ref products? Will there be a Ref 250M, 275M or 300M with the same design?

Honestly speaking, I am not liking the departure from the traditional ARC aesthetics over to this new faux retro design language.

The design is similar to the GS150 which I happen to really like.

+ 1

Hmmm. I assume it
1-sounds great
2-will have auto-bias
3-would also look good in black if available

Wonder if it will also include some sort of protection in the event of tube failure?

I don't think ARC have abandoned the sacrificial resistor method.

I'm sure it will sound good but it is a shame that the design team want to move away from what was a popular and recognisable easily integrated ARC look ,where it was clear that the money had gone into the components rather than the housing- This looks more like VTL than Audio Research.
Also with 4 buttons on the front it doesn't look as though it has incorporated auto bias

I was informed it would have better bass, resolution and auto biasing, a new circuit board than GS 150; is this not true?
Sami

I assume, like the VT80, will not only have auto bias but will rely on fuses rather than resistors.

I hope it has auto bias but if the buttons on the front are not for selecting valves to bias what purpose do they serve ?

OK, just guessing here ...

power on/off
input bal/se
invert
mute


... that's just a guess ...

Now live on the ARC website. DAMN, looks beautiful!

Seems they are releasing a new ref model every every year now.....

Sexy!!

http://www.audioresearch.com/Content...o_front(1).png

:yes:

http://www.audioresearch.com/en-us/p...reference-160m


http://www.21hifi.com/newshifi/20180206/10a.jpg




http://www.21hifi.com/newshifi/20180206/10b.jpg

The black looks really good IMO.

$30,000 pair?

Look at the specs. What's up with no indication of power supply energy storage?

I will tell you this. It is a wonderful match for your Alexia 2s. Spent the better part of today listening to them on Alexia 2s.

Weird that they claim less wpc than the gs150...

I wonder how they compare to d'agostino amps... Probably less controlled bass but silkier mids? These would be a great match for my ref6 but I've always wanted d'agostino. Either way I need to wait a while.

Thanks for the info Metaphacts. So far very happy with Alexia v2s and Ref 150 with KT 150s.

I like the looks but do agree it is a departure from traditional AR aesthetics.

My concern is the wimpy transformers. Compared to MC75/275 or the MC2301 those little black boxes would seem to be susceptible to saturation sooner then the McIntosh tube amps.
Now I know this is books and covers territory but just some food for thought.

If I’m out to lunch on this feel free tomorrow let me have it. [emoji495]

Apples and oranges. Listening to a pair of Ref160Ms at home they are the most powerful sounding amps I have ever heard from Audio Research. You can’t judge power by looking at an amp

Oh wow... Tell us more. What do you like /not like?

Do tell all ariess. Please.

Out of the box I was really impressed! While I would say I heard improvements across the board
relative to my trusty GS150, the most notable were, tonal density (really dense, meaty tones), better timing and lower noise floor combined to give
me access to deeper layers, and air. If they looked like a pair of mailboxes that would have been ok, because they sound so good.
But instead they also look like works of art, really beautiful, which really adds to the “pride of ownership” feeling!

I played a bit with the Triode mode. My initial impression was that I will use ultra-linear most of the time because its more dynamic and full,
but I think Triode mode will be my Plan B for recordings I love but are too edgy, brash or bright as the Triode mode can "mellow those out”.
Its a very nice feature to have as it will allow me to access some otherwise hard to play discs.

Ariess:
Thanks so far. How about low end grip? Better, worse, the same as GS150?

Better in ultralinear mode

Listened to them yesterday at local dealer with Alexia 2’s Ref6 and dcs front end and it was amazing. Had the best grip on the bass I’ve ever heard from a tube amp and gives up nothing to any of the great solid state designs I’ve heard. Also like the looks in person much better than online. Of course the legendary soundstage width, depth, and presence are there in spades. Walks that very fine line between being super detailed and lush and provides pretty close to the best of both worlds you can ask for. Oh yeah ... did I mention the grip on the bottom end?

George

Omg!!! Stop it... You're killing me

Well ... you already have the Ref6 part! Get crackin!!!

:D

George

And Alexias (v1)... Ughhhhhh

Those Ref160M amps would sound so good in your room! :yes:

You should totally do it!

Guys, I can't right now but I'm definitely going to consider this in the future. My dealer should be getting them soon.

They look and sound wonderful. Anyone had a chance to compare to the REF 250SE?