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Amplifier heat...help!

Hi all, 

Working on a system for a small 9 by 11 listening room.   I have narrowed it down to two small speakers: Falcon Acoustics Ls3/5a (15 ohm, 83 db) or the Airtight AL-05, also called Bonsai II (4 ohm 89 fb).

Tha amplifier will go in a cabinet.  I have about 14 inches between shelves and I always play music with the doors open.  I would love to use a tube amplifier but worry about heat.  So I am wondering if readers think something like a Line Magnetic 211ia could work in this configuration, or if it produces too much heat?   I have also been thinking about the tube -like  solid state Sugden A21Se, but have a similar question about its temperature.   Another cool (literally cool) option would be the Vinnie Rossi LIO, an amp I love but that is conisiderably more money.

Are there other options for relatively  compact tube amps (i.e.: . I have 17 inches of depth inside this cabinet including power cords so unit cannot be more than 14 inches deep) that do not produce a lot of heat (relatively speaking?).  Or is there really no tube amp that would work well in this scenario?

thanks!
mcanaday
oregonpapa's avatar
oregonpapa
4,867 posts
 
McCanaday ...

Double click on my avatar and you'll see an enlarged picture of my equipment rack. The ARC REF-75 is on the bottom shelf. I just measured the clearance. There is exactly two inches of clearance between the top of the KT-150 power tubes and the bottom of the shelf that resides over the amp. Granted, the shelving is an open design, but there has never been a problem with overheating in the many years I've had this rack.  Prior to the REF-75, I had an ARC Classic 60 in its place. No problem there either. The Classic 60 has a fan, but I kept it disconnected for lower noise. The REF-75 has  no fan.

OP
asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,268 posts
 
Rx for the Cheap Fix...computer fans.  Quiet, low power, inexpensive.  I've been using them on my equipment for years.  As noromance noted 10/30, you could opt for a server rack frame.  If installing into a cabinet, just allow for an intake and use the fans as exhaust out the back.  Easy to 'scale up' if you feel you're still running too warm...I mean your amp...

Oh, and if you're running hot, take 2 aspirin, rest in bed, and don't call me in the morning...I'm not a 'morning person'....*S*
mcanaday OP
168 posts
 
Oregonpapa and Asvjerry-

Thanks!  I am feeling more confident that I can manage the heat issue, whichever amplifier I select.  Thanks very much!

Margot
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,404 posts
 
I had a mother in law who drank a half bottle of whisky a day and smoked a pack a day. Lived to be 87. Invoking the exception to a rule that hard liqor and smoking are bad for your health would not make sense. Best to adhere to best practice. Lots of heat in an enclosed space is not a good idea either for the electronics or the building.
truman
167 posts
 
Whoa, whoa, whoa! Tube amps in confined spaces is a big no-no in any users manual. You're sure to forget to turn the amp off some night....not good. (Sugden amps do sound good but run way too hot as well.)
Beyond that, tube amps like to have speakers with at least 8 ohms. and should be fairly efficient. Your speakers don't fit that bill.
You need to re-think this from the start.
(Put that hatchet down, Eugene!)



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