Audio Research Reference 160 S stereo valve power amplifier

In a very real way, this is the easiest review I’ve ever had to write. The Audio Research Reference 160 S is the stereo version of the Reference 160M mono power amplifiers we reviewed in Issue 163. The 160 S is cheaper and takes up less floorspace but offers almost all the qualities of the 160 M, save the obvious channel separation that mono amps bring and a very slight reduction in ‘edge of the limits’ range and scale brought about by a shared chassis. Unless you like to play at ‘noise abatement’ levels or have a particularly demanding block …