Audio Research Reference 160m monoblocks vs REF 160s

[George Prentice]

I have had the privilege of having Audio Research Reference 160 amps in my system for over three years. I purchased a Ref 160s about three years ago. After a year and a half my friend and dealer brought over a pair of Reference 160m mono blocks for me to enjoy and check out. He left them here for a year and a half. Occasionally I would switch to my stereo version… but pretty quickly switch back to the monoblocs. He picked up the monoblocs a couple weeks ago. This time gave me a really good opportunity to experience the difference between the two.

After 1.5 years with my REF160s, I switched to the REF160M monoblocs. My reaction in the first hour was that they had a deeper and wider soundstage and lower noise floor… I think. really, really similar… but I think that was the difference.

This is common with me. When auditioning really good components… my initial impression is that the differences are subtle… I have doubts, but over time… I still hear the same thing. Over time, these differences are confirmed and magnified by exposure that really change the experience.

This is very true here. I listen to music about three hours a day. When listening day in and day out, I guess you get to appreciate nuances. The deeper and wider soundstage and lower noise floor becomes obvious and substantial, as if the time exposed to it is cumulative. So? Is the difference worth it? Absolutely.

I have been listening to my REF 160s for a couple weeks. It is completely satisfying… it has exactly the same tonal balance and overall characteristics. But I really miss the deeper and wider soundstage. The noise floor is not a problem, but it is there and I wish it wasn't. The dead quite background allowed you to fall more deeply into the music.

So, they are nearly identical sounding amplifiers. But you could not pry the Ref 160s out of my grip under any circumstances, unless substituting the mono blocks… the best amp (particularly given my tastes and other equipment), but, yeah, the REF160m monoblocs are worth it. $22K versus $34K. I am sure at some point I will find a way to trade up to the Ref 160m (SE).