2. misc-audio
  3. 1241809404

Need help with stereo cabinet design.

We're building a new house. Main system will be in the living room, where it will reside in a custom designed/built cabinet. I have lots of tubed equipment including ARC REF 3, VS-115, CD-7. Given the heat they put off, what do you think about venting the cabinet, via fans, to the attic or outside the house?

Also, I'd appreciate advice regarding shelving. Do the shelves need to be ventilated so that the heat can rise up through them to the top? Turntable isolation is also an issue. I have an SME 20/2. I wonder if I will need a wall mount or if it will work on a shelf.

Thanks in advance for any advice.
chucktone

Showing 2 responses by rtn1

rtn1
535 posts
 
I would build a small closet between and behind the speakers. Use curved walls which are double-insulated. Insulate the ceiling and floor. Sliding glass door (heavy and double-insulated) on the front with heavy curtains attached to the front. Put 5 dedicated outlets inside, along with an adjustable fan and a vent hole to outside. Create a small hole on either bottom side to run your speaker cables, and pack them full of some thick cushioning material. Have an isolated ground for your dedicated outlets with an audio-grade grounding rod (one for analog, one for digital). Look into audio grade wiring (8 gauge). Consider adding an ExactPower PowerCore and Conditioner. Put a HRS rack inside the closet. Then there will be nothing further to do.
rtn1
535 posts
 
I'm sorry. There is one more consideration for isolating everything from the floor. The floor inside the closet should be built on their own floor joists that are separate from the room and the closet wall. An elastic skin can be used between the joist and the flooring.

Now you have ground, air, electrical, and component isolation.

Consider a thermal alarm inside, in case of fan failure. There may even be a way to set the fan on a variable speed thermostat.
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