AudioAficionado.org  

Go Back   AudioAficionado.org > Manufacturers Forums > Audio Research
Reload this Page ARC Ref 160S
Register FAQDonate Calendar Mark Forums Read

Audio Research State of the Art Audio Reproduction

Reply
Page 1 of 5 1 23 Last »
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 09-06-2019, 09:34 AM
docdan50 docdan50 is offline
Junior Member
  
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 19
Default ARC Ref 160S
I received my new amplifier yesterday. It replaces a vt80se. My initial impressions are better bass and a more immersive soundstage. I am using a Ref 6 and SashaDaw speakers. I like the look and the meters are a nice touch. No more worries about adjusting bias. It sounds good out of the box and should only improve with time.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 09-06-2019, 10:55 AM
2fastdriving's Avatar
2fastdriving 2fastdriving is offline
Senior Member

  
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 5,766
Default
Congrats! I'm sure it will be great. If anyone compares this against a gs150, I would like to hear about it. I really doubt it would be worth it for me to go from the gs150 to the ref160s, but I'm curious.
__________________
--Marc

Audio Research Ref6SE, Ref160M's / Esoteric N-01XD, G-02X, E-03 / Wilson Alexx / Clearaudio Ovation with Universal Tonearm / Lyra Kleos / Transparent Reference Gen5 / Shunyata Denali 6000S V2, Sigma Clock50, Sigma and Alpha HC PC's / HRS S3 Isolation bases / Roon, Tidal, Qobuz Intel NUC / Uptone EtherREGEN / GIK Acoustics panels / Adona rack
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 09-06-2019, 02:17 PM
scirica's Avatar
scirica scirica is offline
Member
  
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: DFW Metroplex
Posts: 3,788
Default
Dan: Congrats! Can't wait to hear your system!!

Steve
__________________
Analog: VPI Classic Direct (12" Fatboy) with Ortofon A95 cartridge; Ortofon ST-80SE Transformer; McIntosh C2500.
Digital: SilenZio Gen 3 High Performance Media Server; Esoteric K-03X.
Supporting System: McIntosh MX122 A/V Center; MC205 Amplifier; Bryston 14bSST2 Amplifier; PS Audio P10 Power Reconditioner; Revel Salon 2 Mains; Revel Voice 2 CC; JL Audio f113v2 (2); JL Audio CR-1 Crossover; Focal IC1002 Surrounds
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 09-06-2019, 04:26 PM
joey_v joey_v is offline
Member
  
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: DFW, Texas
Posts: 2,168
Default
We should organize a docdan listening session
__________________
System 1: Torus RM15 -> Emm Labs Dac2X DAC + TSDX Transport -> Audio Research Ref40 premp-> Boulder 2060 amp -> BW 802D3 + JL F113v2 Dual ->
System 2: Rotel RA1592 Super Integrated -> Sonus Faber Olympica 3 ->
System 3: Oppo BDP-105D -> Rotel RC1570 Pre -> Rotel RB1582 Amp -> Focal Kanta 2 ->
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 09-06-2019, 04:35 PM
edward3132's Avatar
edward3132 edward3132 is online now
Senior Member


  
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Arlington, TX
Posts: 339
Default
Quote:
Originally Posted by joey_v View Post
We should organize a docdan listening session
__________________
Analog Sources: Oppo 203, Oppo 105, DirecTV, AppleTV 4K, Roku Ultra, Nvidia Shield
Digital Sources: Aurender W20 via USB and dual XLR, dCS Rossini and Clock
HT Processor: Marantz AV7703
PreAmp: Audio Research Ref 6
Amp: ML 536 (2), Rotel 1552 (3), Rotel 1585
Speakers: Focal Maestro EVO, HTM1D3 Center, 804D2 surrounds, B&W 805D2 in master bedroom
Video: Sony XBR 75x940e 4K HDR
Power: Shunyata Everest, Sigma XC (1), Sigma NR (1), Sigma Analog (2), Alpha HC (2), Alpha Digital (2), Alpha Analog (1), Viper(1), Venom Digital(1)
Cables: Shunyata Anaconda SC, Anaconda IC (2), Shunyata Sigma USB, Shunyata Sigma XLR X 2, Shunyata Sigma Ethernet, Shunyata Clock Alpha X 2, Sigma x 1
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 09-07-2019, 09:01 PM
docdan50 docdan50 is offline
Junior Member
  
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 19
Default
Ok with me. My wife has choir practice on Monday and Tuesday nights. She also has her book club the last Wednesday of the month.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 09-14-2019, 09:37 PM
SL1800's Avatar
SL1800 SL1800 is offline
Member

  
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: OK
Posts: 756
Default
Congrats!! I wish I could hear one compared to my GS150
__________________
Analog Sources - ClearAudio Innovation Turntable, Silver, 9" Universal arm, 9" Magnify arm Benz-Micro SLR Gullwing cartridge, Kiseki Purple Heart cartridge, Audio Research Ref Phono 3 phono preamp.
Digital Sources - SonicTransporter i9 with Optical output music server running Roon software, Sonore Signature Rendu SE Optical Network Bridge, Bricasti Platinum M21 Dac.
Pre and Power - Bricasti Platinum M20 Preamp, Bricasti Platinum M32 Mono Blocks.
Speakers - Tidal Contriva G2,
Cables and Accessories - Nordost Tyr 2 Speaker Cables. Nordost Heimdall 2 Interconnects. GIK Acoustics Q7D Diffusors, 244 as cloud traps.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 10-07-2019, 08:54 AM
djcxxx djcxxx is offline
Senior Member
  
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Florida
Posts: 185
Default
Took delivery of 160S on Friday. Paired w/ LS28 in second system. Too soon for serious evaluation of performance, but I am disappointed the fan is so intrusive even at low setting at 10 feet. Not sure yet what I think about the meters. Awaiting delivery of CD6SE to complete stack. Listening to old CD player in meantime. Will post pictures and more impressions.
__________________
1)Wilson Sasha DAW; ARC Ref 6SE; ARC Ref Phono 3SE; ARC Ref CD9SE; ARC Ref 160S; Clearaudio Avantgarde Magnum w/ TTS3/DaVinci V.2;Shunyata Denali 6000T; Shunyata AC cables; Siltech Prince speaker cables; Siltech Princess/Crown Princess interconnects.
2) SF Amati Homage; ARC Ref 5SE; ARC Ref 75SE; ARC CD6SE; Stealth Sakra V16 interconnects.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 10-07-2019, 09:35 AM
schneice's Avatar
schneice schneice is offline
Senior Member
  
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Heights - Houston, TX
Posts: 298
Default
Quote:
Originally Posted by djcxxx View Post
Took delivery of 160S on Friday. Paired w/ LS28 in second system. Too soon for serious evaluation of performance, but I am disappointed the fan is so intrusive even at low setting at 10 feet. Not sure yet what I think about the meters. Awaiting delivery of CD6SE to complete stack. Listening to old CD player in meantime. Will post pictures and more impressions.


Unfortunately I think the fan bit is theme with ARC. I’ve had the conversation with the factory on my 250s. They claim they cannot hear them from their listening position. But I can from mine. They must have a lot of background noise in there test room. There are more premium /quieter fans that move the same volume of air on the market. Wish they’d spend $10 more an amp to address this.
__________________
Roon - DCS - Boulder - YG
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 10-07-2019, 11:40 AM
2fastdriving's Avatar
2fastdriving 2fastdriving is offline
Senior Member

  
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 5,766
Default
Quote:
Originally Posted by schneice View Post
Unfortunately I think the fan bit is theme with ARC. I’ve had the conversation with the factory on my 250s. They claim they cannot hear them from their listening position. But I can from mine. They must have a lot of background noise in there test room. There are more premium /quieter fans that move the same volume of air on the market. Wish they’d spend $10 more an amp to address this.
Exactly. I just had a conversation with Dave Gordon about this, and his only suggestion was that i make lots of room above the amp and either remove the cover or put fans on low, and/or put fans in my cabinet instead. They don't think you can hear the fans but yes, you can.
__________________
--Marc

Audio Research Ref6SE, Ref160M's / Esoteric N-01XD, G-02X, E-03 / Wilson Alexx / Clearaudio Ovation with Universal Tonearm / Lyra Kleos / Transparent Reference Gen5 / Shunyata Denali 6000S V2, Sigma Clock50, Sigma and Alpha HC PC's / HRS S3 Isolation bases / Roon, Tidal, Qobuz Intel NUC / Uptone EtherREGEN / GIK Acoustics panels / Adona rack
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 1 of 5 1 23 Last »

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »
Thread Tools
Display Modes
Linear Mode Linear Mode

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Audioaficionado.org tested by Norton Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:46 PM.

AudioAficionado.org - Archive - Top


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.10
Copyright ©2000 - 2022, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
©Copyright 2009-2022 AudioAficionado.org.Privately owned, All Rights Reserved.
Audio Aficionado Sponsors
AudioAficionado Subscriber
AudioAficionado Subscriber
Inspire By Dennis Had
Inspire By Dennis Had
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Wyred4Sound
Wyred4Sound
Dragonfire Acoustics
Dragonfire Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
Esoteric
Esoteric
AC Infinity
AC Infinity
JL Audio
JL Audio
Add Powr
Add Powr
Legend Audio & Video
Legend Audio & Video
Audio by E
Audio by E
Canton
Canton
Bryston
Bryston
WireWorld Cables
WireWorld Cables
Stillpoints
Stillpoints
Bricasti Design
Bricasti Design
Furutech
Furutech
Shunyata Research
Shunyata Research
Accuphase
Accuphase