ARC REF 5SE Cover Warping

ARC says that both their amps and preamps sound better with the top removed or with a acrylic cover. I just don't like the acrylic covers. I have the standard steel tops and just run both my amp and preamp without the tops. They run a little cooler with better air flow. When turned off I put black towels over them to keep the dust out. Though I am thinking of having custom covers made from a ham radio cover place to replace the towels.

Hi,theres a lot of heat coming off the power tube.They all would do it,i recon.There must be a reason they went that way.I wouldn't worry about it too much.

If it happens within the warranty period, send it back. If it doesn't warp in the first 3-years, you are probably okay.

The acrylic tops will warp. The key is to leave at least 8 inches clearance on the top of the amp. The problem is, people are jamming their amps into shelving with only a couple of inches clearance causing the heat to pool in the center of the acrylic cover.