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Commercial Audio Research REF160S Power Amplifier Reason for selling: Did not fit client rack - changed to mono blocs SUPER RARE HIGH DEFINITION HIFI OPPORTUNITY - BE QUICK ON THIS ONE AUDIO RESEARCH LOVERS!!! AUDIO RESEARCH REF160S REFERENCE STEREO TUBE POWER AMPLIFIER – BLACK VERSION VALUED AT $42995 RRP BRAND NEW STOCK - OPENED DID NOT FIT CLIENT’S RACK (Changed to 2 x REF160Ms as they have smaller chassis) IN ORIGINAL BOX - ALL PRISTINE “HEAR ALL OF THE AIR BETWEEN THE NOTES” GOOSEBUMPS GUARANTEED ON EVERY TRACK FULL MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY - SAVE $8,005 Condition: Brand New P
Audio Research’s Reference 160S sits high in the line and has the kind of big, authoritative tube-amp reputation people pay for. At A$34,990, this listing is above your recent used-market median of A$28,549 and even past the 75th percentile of A$32,116, so it reads ambitious rather than fair on the anchor data.
That said, it’s a serious piece: 140Wpc, KT150-based, with the ARC blend of scale, control, and dimensionality that works especially well if you want tube texture without giving up grip. If the amp is genuinely clean, recently serviced, and comes with proper packaging, that helps—but at this price I’d want strong provenance and a complete accessory set before getting excited.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Audio Research Corporation, founded in 1970 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, by William Z. Johnson, traces its roots to his pioneering work in custom audio electronics during the 1950s and his operation of a specialty retail store through the mid-1960s. After a brief stint selling his designs to a larger firm, Johnson regained independence to establish ARC with a singular mission: advancing the state-of-the-art in music reproduction. From modest beginnings in the back of his shop, the company evolved into one of America's oldest continuously operating high-end audio manufacturers, now housed in a state-of-the-art 48,000-square-foot facility in Maple Grove, Minnesota.
ARC specializes in performance-driven electronics, renowned for vacuum-tube amplifiers, preamplifiers, and electronic crossovers that emphasize sonic purity over flashy features or aesthetics. Drawing on circuit designs rooted in the 1950s, the brand integrates tubes into modern contexts, delivering what it calls "high definition" sound through genuine technological advances. While not venturing into speakers, turntables, DACs, headphones, or cables, ARC's focused lineup prioritizes amplifiers and preamps that set benchmarks for musical realism.
Positioned at the pinnacle of high-end audio, Audio Research is hailed as a true originator of the genre, commanding respect among audiophiles for its unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation. Enduring the 1970s tube revival against solid-state dominance, ARC thrives via elite specialist retailers worldwide, standing alongside peers like Conrad-Johnson as a vintage-inspired yet forward-thinking force in the niche boutique market.
See all Audio Research listings on RADAR.
