2. amps-preamps
  3. 135188-9233

Tube amps and heat

I have 2 systems in play. #1 PrimaLuna Dialogue amp with a Mytek Brooklyn DAC using Tidal. # 2 BelCanto Ref 600 Mono's same Mytek and Tidal.  I like the PrimaLuna slightly better. More separation and just the right amount of bass. The Bel Canto is very close but ever so slightly missing something, maybe in clarity separation. Since I live in AZ using the PrimaLuna with 14 tubes is difficult (HEAT). Question --- Is there am amp the will give me the sound of the PrimaLuna tube and not generate as much heat, something like a hybred. Or can I put in the BelCanto system a tube pre amp/hybred and get the tube benefit on that system as well. I've been using the PrimaLuna system during the winter, however we are starting to warm up here. 90+ this weekend and I'm afraid I'll have to shut down the PrimaLuna for 6 months or so. Suggestions anyone. BTW I just tried a Aesthetix Calypso Pre with the Bel's and didn't like the sound. I could live with it, but it's not what I'm looking for.
Thanks

gary
128x128onehole149
tomcarr
1,522 posts
 
@atmasphere , logical, simple, economical. Well said, Ralph!

Tom
jzzmusician
156 posts
 
I've got a Primaluna Dialogue HP integrated.

It gets well into the 90's here and stays that way for weeks at a time.  I've never really thought that it contributed that much to the heat of the room.  Maybe I'm more tolerant of the heat, but to me it's not that much of a deal.

- Bob
bobee's avatar
bobee
8 posts
 
Can you not just add air-conditioning to your room to bring down the heat?  It may be an easier solution.
ieales's avatar
ieales
1,201 posts
 
A year round solution is to add two small fans to the top of the tube cage.
See http://ielogical.com/assets/Audio/PrimaLunaAmpFans.jpg

Fans are 60mm x 10mm 12v https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KIDDEP2
powered from a DC 3v supply https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07663HSRN

Center fans over each power tube pair.
Mount w #3 machine screws atop a 1/4" nylon spacer.
Wire so the fan is blowing up.

Fans barely tick over and are absolutely quiet. It takes very little air to remove the heat.

Amps sounds more consistent when kept within a consistent temperature range. Been doing this since the 70’s.
rhljazz
1,255 posts
 
To all the fan proponents, it’s a no go.  AZ summers peak at up to 120 day time and stay 95 overnight. A/C systems run almost continuously. If one room generates much more heat than others which requires the thermostat to be turned down, then you run the additional expense of cooling the remainder of the house which doesn’t require additional cooling. 

Most houses have vaulted ceilings so there is no easy way to install an exhaust vent over equipment either.

Any additional heat in the summer is your enemy!
More to discover