Reference 160S vs Reference 80S
The Reference 80S's power @ 8ω is 70W against the Reference 160S's 140W and its signal-to-noise 98 dB against 113 dB. Both share thd (1.000%) and class (Tube).
AI-generated product photo — not official manufacturer imagery.
AmplifiersPower AmplifiersTube Amplifiers
Estimated price (community-sourced)
$13,995 - $25,000
Around — community and catalog average, updates slowly
About the Reference 160S
The Audio Research Reference 160S stereo power amplifier is the stereo counterpart to the acclaimed Reference 160M monoblock, featuring dual GhostMeters™ floating in front of eight KT150 output tubes. It offers 140 watts per channel continuous from 20Hz-20kHz in Ultralinear mode (70W in Triode), with proprietary auto-bias, output tube monitoring, balanced/single-ended inputs, 4/8/16-ohm taps, and quiet cooling fans. Renowned for holographic soundstaging, dynamic bass, refined midrange, and extended treble, it uses a four-layer circuit board for black backgrounds and jet-like performance. Designed for serious audiophiles seeking near-monoblock quality in a single chassis.
Specifications
Power Specifications
Amplification power output and characteristics
- Power @ 8Ω
- 140W @ 8Ω
- Amplifier Class
- tube
- Damping Factor
- 14
- Minimum Impedance
- 4Ω
- Input Sensitivity
- 2.4V RMS
- Input Impedance
- 300000Ω
Analog Output
Analog signal output specifications
- THD
- 1.000%
- SNR
- 113 dB
Connectivity
Input and output connections
- Bluetooth
- No
- Wi-Fi
- No
- Ethernet
- No
- Analog Inputs
- XLR, RCA
Physical Dimensions
Size, weight, and appearance
- Dimensions
- 483 × 260 × 546 mm (W × H × D)
- Weight
- 45.36 kg (100 lbs)
Key Specifications
Power: 140W
Specifications are community-contributed and may not be accurate or complete. Verify all details with the manufacturer before making purchasing decisions. Terms & Conditions