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Power amplifiers stereo — Audio Research Reference 160S
Description, images, technical data and specifications
Audio Research Reference 160S
Image source - (c) Audio Research
The Reference 160S is a valve-based stereo power amp made by Audio Research, the Minnesota company that has built tube electronics since 1970. Launched in 2019, it followed the Reference 160M monoblock of 2018 and puts the same circuit concept, with eight KT150 output tubes and floating GhostMeters, into one two-channel enclosure.
Key specs that matter
Continuous output is 140 W per channel from 20 Hz to 20 kHz in Ultralinear mode and about 70 W in Triode mode. Typical THD at 1 kHz is 1% at 140 W and under 0.04% at 1 W. Power bandwidth runs from 5 Hz to 70 kHz, and response at 1 W spans 0.5 Hz to 110 kHz (-3 dB). A balanced input of 2.4 V reaches rated output, for 25.5 dB of gain into 8 ohms. Input impedance is 300 kohm balanced and 100 kohm single-ended. There are 16, 8 and 4 ohm output taps, the damping factor is about 14 and global negative feedback is 14 dB. The chassis measures 483 x 260 x 546 mm and weighs 45 kg.
Engineering and use context
Signal paths stay fully balanced from the inputs through to the outputs, with four 6H30 twin triodes in the gain stages and four matched pairs of KT150 output tubes on a four-layer circuit board. A front-panel switch changes between Ultralinear and Triode operation without swapping tubes. A factory-set automatic bias circuit compensates as the KT150s age, so routine manual adjustment is unnecessary, and a Tube Monitor mode reports the condition of each output tube. Two 120 mm low-profile fans in the bottom plate provide forced-air cooling at a high or low speed, and an auto-shutoff can switch the amplifier off after two hours without signal. Consumption is 875 W at rated output, 700 W in Triode mode and 500 W at idle. Rear handles help with moving it, and a black faceplate replaces the silver one to special order. The XLR or RCA input is chosen by a rear switch, a 12 V trigger and RS-232 port handle system control, and the GhostMeters have four brightness levels, including off.
Pairing
Given the modest damping factor, the 160S suits speakers with a fairly even impedance curve, and the output taps let the owner match each load. Its balanced input sensitivity fits Audio Research preamplifiers such as the LS28 or Reference 6SE. The tubes need ample ventilation space above and around them.
Alternatives
Audio Research's Reference 80S is a lower-numbered stereo model in the same Reference amplifier family.
Key specs that matter
Continuous output is 140 W per channel from 20 Hz to 20 kHz in Ultralinear mode and about 70 W in Triode mode. Typical THD at 1 kHz is 1% at 140 W and under 0.04% at 1 W. Power bandwidth runs from 5 Hz to 70 kHz, and response at 1 W spans 0.5 Hz to 110 kHz (-3 dB). A balanced input of 2.4 V reaches rated output, for 25.5 dB of gain into 8 ohms. Input impedance is 300 kohm balanced and 100 kohm single-ended. There are 16, 8 and 4 ohm output taps, the damping factor is about 14 and global negative feedback is 14 dB. The chassis measures 483 x 260 x 546 mm and weighs 45 kg.
Engineering and use context
Signal paths stay fully balanced from the inputs through to the outputs, with four 6H30 twin triodes in the gain stages and four matched pairs of KT150 output tubes on a four-layer circuit board. A front-panel switch changes between Ultralinear and Triode operation without swapping tubes. A factory-set automatic bias circuit compensates as the KT150s age, so routine manual adjustment is unnecessary, and a Tube Monitor mode reports the condition of each output tube. Two 120 mm low-profile fans in the bottom plate provide forced-air cooling at a high or low speed, and an auto-shutoff can switch the amplifier off after two hours without signal. Consumption is 875 W at rated output, 700 W in Triode mode and 500 W at idle. Rear handles help with moving it, and a black faceplate replaces the silver one to special order. The XLR or RCA input is chosen by a rear switch, a 12 V trigger and RS-232 port handle system control, and the GhostMeters have four brightness levels, including off.
Pairing
Given the modest damping factor, the 160S suits speakers with a fairly even impedance curve, and the output taps let the owner match each load. Its balanced input sensitivity fits Audio Research preamplifiers such as the LS28 or Reference 6SE. The tubes need ample ventilation space above and around them.
Alternatives
Audio Research's Reference 80S is a lower-numbered stereo model in the same Reference amplifier family.
Specifications
Model name
Reference 160S
Input sensitivity (mV)
N/A
Input impedance (balanced) (Ω)
300000
Input impedance (single-ended) (Ω)
100000
Output impedance (balanced) (Ω)
N/A
Output impedance (single-ended) (Ω)
N/A
Max current (A)
N/A
Output power (8Ω) (W)
2 x 140
Output power (4Ω) (W)
2 x 140
Gain (dBu)
25.5
Frequency response low +/- 3dB (Hz)
0.5
Frequency response high +/- 3dB (Hz)
110000
Signal to Noise Ratio (dB)
N/A
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (0% global feedback) (%)
N/A
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (100% global feedback) (%)
N/A
Max power consumption (W)
N/A
Damping factor
14
Dimensions (mm)
N/A
Weight (kg)
N/A
Official link
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