Temperature of McCormack DNA-1?

Hi Rubber -

Your experience is within the normal range for the DNA-1. Just how hot it gets depends on a number of factors, including where it is located (for instance, in a closed cabinet vs. out in the open), how much air flow it gets, the ambient temperature, your AC line voltage, type of speaker, size of your room, how loud you play your music, and for how long.

Typical heatsink temperature for the DNA-1 located out in the open with free air flow is around 45C/113F. This is obviously warm, but you can leave your hand on the sinks with no problem. When pushed hard into a low-impedance load (especially with limited air flow) for several minutes, the temp may reach 60C/140F or more, making it difficult to touch the sinks for more than a few seconds. With reasonable air flow, the sink temp should return to normal very quickly when your listening session is over.

The DNA-1 (like all DNA amps) is designed so that it is the heatsinks that get hot - the interior of the amp should remain relatively cool, given reasonable air flow. If your amp is located in a closed cabinet of some sort (or if the airflow is otherwise restricted), you might consider adding a small fan to move air over the heatsinks.

Best regards,

Steve McCormack
SMc Audio

Hi Ben -

It's no big deal if the heatsinks get very hot, so long as the ambient temperature inside the amp stays relatively cool. The amp can operate at temperatures that would burn you, but the fact remains that heat is the enemy of component longevity. So, the cooler you can keep your amp, the better off you are. If you have the option of removing your DNA-1 from its cabinet, that would be helpful. If not, I am sure that you can find some quiet fans at your local computer parts store (especially multi-speed switchable types). If you do get it out of the cabinet, don't set it directly on a floor with thick carpet - use some sort of riser or feet like TipToes cones. This will allow free air movement around the amp, which is the key to keeping it cool.

Best regards,

Steve McCormack
SMc Audio

The trick is to keep the air moving through the enclosure so that heat will not build-up. What you have proposed should work fine, but you might get better results by positioning the fans to pull air in on one side and push it out on the other. You don't need to move a lot of air volume quickly - just a "gentle breeze" will work well.

I hope you enjoy your DNA-1.

Best regards,

Steve McCormack
SMc Audio