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How much heat from a tube amplifier?

I am looking at picking up an integrated tube amplifier, likely the Yaqin MC-30L. It is rated for 50 wpc in ultralinear mode. Whatever one I end up getting it will be a "toy" that isn't always hooked up.

I am trying to figure out the logistics of adding it to my system. If I slide my TV to one edge of my audio cabinet there is just enough room for it to sit on top of the cabinet. The downside is that I really can't leave it there for several reasons included WAF and two small kids (9 months and 27 months old). There is room in the cabinet and the door can be easily removed to provide additional ventilation when it's used, but it appears that there would only be about 6 inches of room between the top of the amp and the cabinet. If I could use it while inside the cabinet (rather than just storing it there) I could leave the speaker cables connected to it and the SACD player connected making it much quicker to setup for use. Is it likely that it will get hot enought to damage the inside of the cabinet?

I understand that all amps are different and there isn't any way for anyone to really know the exact answer, but I'm interest in getting an idea of what you guys think.
mceljo
10 responses Add your response
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,771 posts
 
Get something like the YAQIN EL84 6P14 with smaller tubes. You could add a small quiet running fan and some vent holes.
Disclaimer - use your common sense: possible fire hazard.
jjrenman
279 posts
 
I've installed a myriad of systems into cabinets and IME, you will need to get a couple of whisper type fans to exhaust the heat for any type of tube power amp. You will need one fan to exhaust the heat from the top of the cabinet. If you cut out a hole to match the chosen fan size (I prefer 4" muffin type fans) as high as possible on the back of the cabinet, as close to the amp as possible that would be best. The second fan needs to be as low as possible and mounted so that it pushes cool air into the cabinet.

If you buy 12V DC fans and a power supply that is adjustable from 6 to 12 VDC you will be able to control just how fast the fans run. In this way you will be able to fine tune between amount of air flow and fan noise. When looking at the fans you want the lowest dbu per CFM. I typically had no trouble keeping the fan noise below the noise floor in the room.

Or you can look at some cooling specialists like Active Thermal Management. (no affiliation)

BTW, proper cooling will greatly increase the amp life/reliability as well as spare the cabinet from damage.
mceljo OP
1,357 posts
 
Thanks. Was you experience with mostly closed cabinets?

Mine is at least 50 open in the back and 95% open in the front assuming the door is removed which takes about the same effort as removing a grill cover. I would have reasonable clearance on the sides as well.
donjr
1,335 posts
 
Get a solid state until your kids get older. Seriously, there's some great ones these days. I just ditched a Rogue Cronus Magnum which I loved, for a Hegel H200. I couldn't be happier.
jjrenman
279 posts
 
Mine is at least 50 open in the back and 95% open in the front assuming the door is removed which takes about the same effort as removing a grill cover. I would have reasonable clearance on the sides as well.

All kinds of cabinets but thanks for clarifying your specific set up. If you are removing the font when in use than you can go with one fan. I'd still mount it as high as possible on the back of the cabinet (or set the fan on the shelf behind the amp if possible) but instead of pulling hot air out the back I'd blow it into the cabinet and blow the cool air across the amp. You do not want a lot of air flow as the tubes do need heat to work properly. You just don't want the heat collecting above the amp.
mceljo OP
1,357 posts
 
Donor - I am happy with my solid state receiver and plan to still us it as the primary unit. The purpose of the tube inter grated amplifier is simply to be a secondary source of fun to hook up when I am in a listening mood and have the time to play. It probably won't get hooked up more a than a a few times a year. I just want to play around with a side of audio that I have never really experienced.
elevick
2,636 posts
 
I would never put a cooling fan near a tube amp. Microphonics would drive me nuts. Also, the amp would pick up tons of dust. For that matter, tube amps shouldn't be in a cabint-period. If kids are a problem, get an amp with a tube cage. The cage on a small amp won't get hot enough to burn a kid. Essentially tube amps run in class A. They put out full power at all times either dissipated by heat or by outputting music. So, yes a 100 watt amp will get considerably hotter than a similar 15 watt amp.
adam18
670 posts
 
I have never had a problem with heat from my Rogue Audio Cronus.
Even after two - three hours of playing music ..... slightly warm holding my hand about four - six inches directly over the tubes. No fans ..... all is good !
mceljo OP
1,357 posts
 
I am looking at the yaqin MC_30L.
mceljo OP
1,357 posts
 
I have not pushed the tube amp yet, but it has run for three hours at a time and got very warm, almost hot, but I am confident the cabinet space is large enough to provide adequate ventilation as long as I remove the door which takes seconds.
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