#21
|
|||
|
|||
Anyone have comments regarding how the ARC 160M compares to the ARC 250SE?
__________________
Wilson DAW, ARC 160M Mk 2, 250SE, Ref 6SE, Ref 3SE, CD9SE, VPI TNT6 w/rim drive, 12" Fatboy/3D/12.7, LP1 clamp, Lyra Etna Lambda SL, Kleos, Koetsu Onyx, Vermillion, U Gold, TA Gen 5 Reference cables, Shunyata Triton 2/Typhon, 2000T, Alpha PCs, Furutech NCF on 3 dedicated lines. Home Theater: Stewart 123" Firehawk, JVC RS-500, Panasonic 4K player, Marantz 8802a, Wilson Center3+surrounds, GoldenEar HTR7000, JL f113, Parasound A51 and Krell 250a/3. |
#22
|
|||
|
|||
Someone had told me that 260M or some designation was in the work for 2019? I hope it is not delirium.
|
#23
|
||||
|
||||
On Audiogon there is a guy from Maryland who owns the 250SE already. He was loaned a pair of the 160M's after going to a 160 demonstration by Dave Gordon of Audio Research at JSA AUDIO in Bethesda. In a shootout at his house he claims that he and 7 of his friends all preferred the 250SE over the 160M. As a owner of the 160M that isn't something I wanted to hear obviously. Take that for what its worth
__________________
Amps: First Watt SIT-3, Pass XA25, Valvet E2 SE, LTA Ultralinear, LTA ZOTL 40, ARC 150M, First Watt SIT-1 Mono's, ARC Ref75SE, Luxman M900U, Coda #8, Pass XA30.5, Decware Zen TorII MK4, Line Magnetic 845 Premium, Raven Reflection MK2 Pre-Amps: Luxman 900U, Coda 07X, ARC MP-1 Multi-Channel, Conrad Johnson Met-1 Multi-Channel Disc Spinners: Esoteric K-01XD, Luxman D-10X, Ayre DX5, Oppo 105/205 Speakers: Cube Audio Nenuphar, Fleetwood Deville, Spendor Classic 100, Volti RAZZ, Rosso Fiorentino Certaldo 2, Falcon LS 3/5A, Klipsch Cornwall IV, Harbeth SHL5+, Omega Compact 8, Triangle Comete 40th, Monitor Audio Gold 200, Audio Solutions Figaro M, Harbeth C7 40th, Harbeth P3XD Collector/Dealer of over 9000 Authentic RIAA Gold/Platinum Music Industry Record Awards 1960's-Present. 3600+ Photos of my awards on Facebook page: RIAA AWARD COLLECTORS |
#24
|
|||
|
|||
I was told that Warren Gehl, the ears for Audio Research, would choose Ref160Ms over 250SE’s.
|
#25
|
||||
|
||||
Here is the post by user JONAIKEN.
in a recent home audition of the highly regarded New ARC Reference 160M Monoblocks compared to my Ancient Industrial looking ARC Ref. 250SE Monoblocks, a group of audiophiles listened for hours comparing the two amps. A week prior to this session I was told by Audio Research’s Dave Gordon “the Ref 160Ms were better sounding than the Ref 250SE’s.” At the end of the session The eight of us unanimously liked the Ref 250SE over the Ref 160M. It wasn’t close, the 250SE’s were more transparent with greater detail and dimensionality, ballsier (dynamic), with excellent tonal shadings and timbral accuracy. The overall sound was more palatable and took you to the hall. There was a sophistication to the sound of the 250SE’s the 160Ms could not match. I truly wanted the Ref 160M because of their modern see through metered front glass but their sound left me wanting more. The 160M are very good and can be compared to the latest Mercedes E-Class while the Ref 250SE are a 2015 Mercedes S-Class with the AMG package ( Rolled 6H30P-DR and Winged C SED 6550C tubes) and provided greater performance. Newer is not necessarily better
__________________
Amps: First Watt SIT-3, Pass XA25, Valvet E2 SE, LTA Ultralinear, LTA ZOTL 40, ARC 150M, First Watt SIT-1 Mono's, ARC Ref75SE, Luxman M900U, Coda #8, Pass XA30.5, Decware Zen TorII MK4, Line Magnetic 845 Premium, Raven Reflection MK2 Pre-Amps: Luxman 900U, Coda 07X, ARC MP-1 Multi-Channel, Conrad Johnson Met-1 Multi-Channel Disc Spinners: Esoteric K-01XD, Luxman D-10X, Ayre DX5, Oppo 105/205 Speakers: Cube Audio Nenuphar, Fleetwood Deville, Spendor Classic 100, Volti RAZZ, Rosso Fiorentino Certaldo 2, Falcon LS 3/5A, Klipsch Cornwall IV, Harbeth SHL5+, Omega Compact 8, Triangle Comete 40th, Monitor Audio Gold 200, Audio Solutions Figaro M, Harbeth C7 40th, Harbeth P3XD Collector/Dealer of over 9000 Authentic RIAA Gold/Platinum Music Industry Record Awards 1960's-Present. 3600+ Photos of my awards on Facebook page: RIAA AWARD COLLECTORS |
#26
|
|||
|
|||
Thanks for that Billion$Baby. That’s the first time I’ve heard any feedback from listeners comparing these two monoblocks side by side. I suspect that if and when ARC comes out with an updated replacement for the 250SE (260SE), that might be a different story. I’ve noticed a lot of 250SEs on the market going for under $15K. Sounds like a good deal. Not as sexy as its new little brother but still no slouch. I guess I’ll hang on to my 250SEs for now.
__________________
Wilson DAW, ARC 160M Mk 2, 250SE, Ref 6SE, Ref 3SE, CD9SE, VPI TNT6 w/rim drive, 12" Fatboy/3D/12.7, LP1 clamp, Lyra Etna Lambda SL, Kleos, Koetsu Onyx, Vermillion, U Gold, TA Gen 5 Reference cables, Shunyata Triton 2/Typhon, 2000T, Alpha PCs, Furutech NCF on 3 dedicated lines. Home Theater: Stewart 123" Firehawk, JVC RS-500, Panasonic 4K player, Marantz 8802a, Wilson Center3+surrounds, GoldenEar HTR7000, JL f113, Parasound A51 and Krell 250a/3. |
#27
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
|
#28
|
||||
|
||||
I would be very hesitant to make a judgement call on someone else's home test without really understanding how the amps were set up and gains matched, etc. Even a small gain difference would render the higher gain amplifier as better sounding in a direct comparison.
__________________
Main System: Amati Futura Mains Amati Homage VOX Center, Proac Response 1sc Rears, Three MC2301's for L,C,R MC 602 for the rears C 1100, MX 151, MCD 1100, MR 80 Nottingham Dais with Wave Mechanic Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation SurfacePro 3, RPi 4, ROON, WW Starlight Platinum USB, Schiit Yggdrasil, Benchmark DAC3 HGC MX 151, OppO BDP-95, JVC RS-500 DILA projector, 106" diagonal Stewart Luxus Screenwall Deluxe with Studiotek 130 G3 material. Lake House: Ohm F, MC 275V, C2300, MR 77, Rega P3 OnDeck: McIntosh MAC 4300v |
#29
|
|||
|
|||
In fact, if I read that right, the guy rolled the tubes in his 250SE, making it a different comparison than stock factory.
|
#30
|
|||
|
|||
I would agree with all who suggest that nothing beats an in-home audition side by side to make it a fair apples to apples comparison. Whether the tube rolling made a difference for the better (or worse) can only be confirmed by the owner of the 250SE. And in the end, it IS his opinion ("it wasn't close..."). Having said that, I would be surprised if Warren Gehl said anything other than the new 160Ms sound better than the 250SEs. Not to imply that they're not! At 2x the price (used 250SEs go for $15K), it's an interesting value/cost proposition to consider.
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Audio Aficionado Sponsors | |