Elizabeth,
You could make a decent case for me being about 1/2 gene away from washing my hands 30 times a day.
Heat DOES kill electronics, no question about it. The devices most prone to heat effects are power devices, which obviously use plenty of heat sinks. ICs can cook, too, some of which have extremely high circuit density. The proof can be found in any semiconductors 'reliability' testing program where devices are tested to failure.
For example, modern multi-core CPUs will dissipate maybe 70 watts? Maybe more...maybe less, I'm not current. I know voltage requirements for some devices has dropped to keep power down. And look at the obsessive lengths some computer modders go to ensure proper cooling.
I'm waiting for a passively cooled class 'a' amp with heatpipes or maybe liquid cooling, chiller and pump.
That being said, such shorter lifespan for hotter stuff has a statistical base. Silicon based semiconductors simply don't like temps much above....say 150c which depending on how much power you're talking about may actually kick out quite a bit of heat. Example:: A Penny at 150c has a lot less heat energy than say......an anvil at room temp. A power transistor running hot in a properly designed situation....proper thermal contact and enough heatsink area and mass, will get the heatsink pretty warm.
The observation you may want to make is how hot is the EQUIPMENT in your 80f room? If the gear is in an enclosed space with poor or marginal ventilation, your 'goose' is cooked and you may just be lucky. OTOH, if your stuff is in a well ventilated space and is the good gear I know you like, than you'll be fine. Even Bryston can be cooked. They design stuff with the 'noise' of actual use in mind. If EVERYONE used the amp in a cool, well ventilated space, they wouldn't use as much heatsink. But, they were thinking ahead. You are in the normal, expected range of users.
