Audio Research Reference 160S
The Reference 160S pairs fluid, neutral tube sound with unusually authoritative bass, effortless dynamics and deep three-dimensional imaging. The Absolute Sound praised its low-noise realism and exceptional depth, while Jeff Fritz found vocals uncolored and lifelike. Switchable Triode/Ultralinear operation, auto-bias and striking GhostMeters make this a richly involving, thoughtfully engineered reference valve amplifier.
WATT RECOMMENDS
Save your favorites. Compare them anytime.
Create a free HiFi Hub account to save products to your Wishlist and compare your favorites side by side.
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
95/100
Build Quality
92/100
Value for Money
89/100
Pros
Exceptionally deep, solid imaging with continuous front-to-back layering and lifelike image body.
Clear, natural midrange and refined treble deliver highly convincing vocals, strings and acoustic instruments without stereotypical tube softness.
Ultralinear mode supplies strong bass control, transient snap and generous headroom, while Triode offers an alternative sweeter, more spacious presentation.
Auto-bias, tube monitoring, selectable RCA/XLR inputs and 4-, 8- and 16-ohm taps make ownership and system matching more flexible than many high-end valve amplifiers.
Cons
Triode mode’s 70W output can lose control and clip on demanding large-scale orchestral peaks.
The amplifier generates substantial heat, and its cooling fan may be audible during very quiet passages when positioned close to the listener.
Careful output-tap and speaker-impedance matching is important; significantly lower-than-nominal loads increase distortion and reduce available power.
WATT RECOMMENDS
Save your favorites. Compare them anytime.
Create a free HiFi Hub account to save products to your Wishlist and compare your favorites side by side.
What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 95/100
Reviewers consistently found the Reference 160S unusually neutral, fluid, and free of obvious tube artifacts, while retaining rich tonal color and a highly tangible three-dimensional presentation. Its authority, low noise floor, and ability to make complex recordings sound natural stand out, although Triode mode has less ultimate large-scale headroom than Ultralinear.
Transparency Resolution
95/100
Stereophile heard an open, essentially uncolored presentation with natural transients, while The Absolute Sound praised the low noise floor, lack of electronic grain, and details emerging without strain. SoundStage Australia also found it exceptionally capable of separating dense musical lines and resolving subtle detail and instrumental texture.
Tonal Balance Musicality
95/100
Multiple reviewers describe an unusually convincing blend of neutrality and valve-like beauty: SoundStage found the midband beyond reproach and free of vocal coloration, while Stereophile praised its beautiful tone in both operating modes. The Absolute Sound heard a slight warmth on the neutral side, with fluidity and lifelike musical continuity rather than an overtly romantic or softened tube character.
Dynamics
93/100
In Ultralinear mode, reviewers report effortless headroom, strong transient snap, deep controlled bass, and no apparent strain at realistic levels. The Absolute Sound did find that the 70Wpc Triode setting could lose control and clip on major orchestral peaks, and SoundStage Australia wanted a little more ultimate low-end dynamic swing on one demanding crescendo.
Soundstage Imaging
96/100
Spatial performance drew repeated superlative praise. Reviewers heard startlingly three-dimensional images, exceptional image density and body, cavernous depth, continuous front-to-back layering, and a convincing musicians-in-a-hall perspective. The Absolute Sound noted that the stage could be somewhat narrower than usual, but its depth was the greatest that reviewer had heard in that system.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
92/100
The 100-pound chassis, stout multi-tap speaker terminals, balanced and single-ended input selection, auto-bias, tube-hour indication, and switchable Triode/Ultralinear operation reflect a thoroughly engineered valve amplifier. Reviewers describe the construction as excellent, solid, and thoughtfully executed; cooling fans manage substantial heat, though one reviewer could hear them during very quiet passages.
Value for Money
89/100
At the stated $28,000 price, this is plainly a costly amplifier, and reviews at its earlier $20,000-$22,000 pricing also called it pricey. Even so, SoundStage considered its sound and build commensurate with the asking price, Hi-Fi News highlighted the substantial saving versus a pair of Reference 160M monoblocks, and reviewers regarded its performance as a persuasive high-end proposition.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
YouTube Reviews
Forum Mentions
No forum mentions found yet
Specifications
- Power Output
- 140 watts continuous from 20Hz to 20kHz. 1kHz total harmonic distortion typically 1% at 140 watts, below 0.04% at 1 watt. (Note that actual power output is dependent upon both line voltage and “condition” i.e.: if power line has high distortion, maximum power will be affected adversely, although from a listening standpoint this is not critical)
- Power Bandwidth
- (-3dB Points) 5Hz to 70kHz
- Frequency Response
- (-3dB points at 1 watt) 0.5Hz to 110kHz
- Input Sensitivity
- 2.4V RMS Balanced for rated output. (25.5 dB gain into 8 ohms)
- Input Impedance
- 300k ohms Balanced; 100k ohms Single-ended
- Output Polarity
- Non-inverting. Balanced input pin 2+ (IEC-268)
- Output Taps
- 4, 8, 16 ohms
- Output Regulation
- Approximately 0.6dB 16 OHM LOAD TO OPEN CIRCUIT (Damping factor approximately 14)
- Overall Negative Feedback
- 14dB
- Slew Rate
- 13 volts/microsecond
- Rise Time
- 2.0 microseconds
- Power Requirements
- 105-130VAC 60Hz (210-250VAC 50Hz) 875 watts at rated output, 700 watts in Triode mode, 500 watts at “idle”, 3.6 watts off
- Tubes Required
- 4 matched pair KT150 (Power output V1-4); 4 6H30 (Gain stage V5 and V6)
- Dimensions
- Width 19.0” (48.26 cm)Height 10.25” (26 cm)Depth 21.5” (54,61 cm)With Handles and Connectors: 24” (60.96 cm)
- Weight
- 100lbs
Manufacturer's Description — Audio Research
Reference 160S
The Reference 160S stereo power amplifier follows in the footsteps of the internationally acclaimed REF160M monoblock power amplifier, which has won multiple amplifier-of the-year honors from publications such as Stereophile, Hi-Fi+, and others.
GhostMeters™
REF160S carries-over the stunning look of the 160M, with dual GhostMeters™ that float in front of the eight KT150 output power tubes.
Also continued is the the feature set introduced in the 160M, including a proprietary auto-bias circuit, switchable Triode or Ultralinear modes of operation, balanced and single-ended inputs, and an output tube monitoring mode. The 160S also uses a four-layer circuit board, allowing music to emanate from a jet-black background.
With a weight of 100 lbs. the REF160S distills the astonishing resolution, dynamic impact, musical purity and finesse of the 160M into one beautiful and attainable chassis. It was designed for the music lover in all of us.
Verified Dealers
Online Dealers
All Dealers
Zoom out the map to see more dealers
Authorized dealers for Audio Research Reference 160S
- 110Hz — online and in-store — Kielce, Województwo świętokrzyskie, Poland (website)
- 3mA Audio — online and in-store — Houston, Texas, United States (website)
- Absolute Sounds — in-store — London, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Alpha High End — online and in-store — Brasschaat, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium (website)
- Ambiance Concert — in-store — Angers, Pays de la Loire, France (website)
- American Sound — in-store — Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada (website)
- Area Hifi — online and in-store — L'Eixample, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain (website)
- Aris Audio — in-store — Salt Lake City, Utah, United States (website)
- Audible Images — in-store — Melbourne, Florida, United States (website)
- Audio Advice — online and in-store — Raleigh, North Carolina, United States (website)
and 94 more verified dealers