Audio Research Ref 3 : heat and top space needed?

Putting a fan on the shelf is not a good idea since it will vibrate and will be noisy. I use a fan that is hooked on the (upper) shelf. This fan is originally made as aquarium cooler and has special clips for hooking a shelf. I have changed the 12V transformer to a multi voltage transformer, switched to 4.5V so the fan is very quiet.

http://www.shopjebo.com/5/multi_fan_cooling_system_detail.aspx

good luck !

Thanks to all. Just to mention, the rack is free-standing,
open on all 4 sides, if that makes any difference.
Are those fans noisy? (My computer's is).

Yes,2" is pretty close....a fan would be nice as stated by Philojet.Hopefully you have options,good luck,Bob

you can buy a little fan to cool it off for about 30 dollars. Cheaper than a new rack...

Thanks again for all the help.

The REF 3 generates a lot of heat of its top.
Space to the upper shelf depends on the temperature level you have regularly in the room, shelf material and kind of equipment ( tubes or SS ) you have on the upper shelf . 2" space to the upper shelf may not be good enough.

That's too much money invested to even mess around or to cut corners. Make sure you've got at least 3 inches clearance on the top as recommended. It heats up pretty good.

There isnt alot of heat from top, its warm but not hot on my dad's Ref3.

The bottom of the shelf is 9 inches from the top of the shelf,
so the amp would have about 2 inches clearance on top of it.
It's an open shelf (on all 4 sides), a tall Billy Bags rack.
Is there a lot of heat coming out of the top?
Thanks again.

I have my Ref 3 running in a 10" open architechture rack, and it runs cool, no heat issues at all. ARC recommends 3" of clearance, you could probably get by with the 2" of clearance, but not in an enclosed cabinet, open rack design only.

Cheers,
John

You mean top of unit to bottom of cabinet?Or total cabinet height?

OK, thanks for the info sir.

Yes.
I wouldn't recommend "9, the R3 need some space to breath.