Drill holes in rack shelf to keep amp cool?

You really don't have an issue with heat. The Sony will run warm, even a little hot, but that's the way it's designed.

Mark:

I don't know the amp, but you might read around on that piece specifically; as Obhwy61 said, it could easily be designed to run quite warm. As the poster on your system thread said, a bit more breathing room to the rear might be good. (IMO, that poster may very well be right about your speakers; if the domestic economy permits, try pulling them out into the room a bit -- you may be quite pleased.)

John

I spent $62.00 for 2 cooling fans 120mm which are extremely quite. Put these 2 fans on top of my Onkyo 876 and no more worry abt heat issue. BTW, I use the Sanus audio rack and I have only abt 1.5" clearance on top of the Onkyo.

Look up "the coolerguys.com" for different type of cooling fans that fit youe need.

I'm certainly no master of hifi, but after looking at the pictures, I'd be more concerned about where your speakers are located than how much heat your amp is putting off.

I would slide those book shelves towards each other so they meet up with the hearth. Put the speakers out into the room in front of the bookshelves. Now you can pull your hifi rack away from the wall farther without it hindering access to the bookshelves. Books are excellent bass traps.

Hifitime, I like those musical notes. How did you do that?