2. amps-preamps
  3. 169517-388

How hot does the Ayre EX-8 2.0 Integrated Amplifier get?

I am considering the Ayre EX-8 2.0 integrated amplifier and am concerned how hot the amplifier gets.  The amplifier will be placed in my Salamander Designs Wooden Cabinet (66"long, amp in middle cabinet), so heat is a concern.   The cabinet front doors will be closed, and the back is completely open (all panels removed).  I know the new 2.0 upgrade added new vents to remove the heat, but I am unclear how hot the unit gets.

There are no channel markings on the back of the amp for the left and right speaker connections and balanced inputs.   As you FACE the unit, is the left side for the left channel connections and the right side for the right channel connections?  

I called my retailer today for answers but they are closed on Mondays so I will call them on Tuesday.  To be honest, I prefer some real-world experience for how hot the unit gets.  I read a review who suggested Ayre’s Myrtle blocks to help cool the bottom of the amplifier.   Any other comments would be appreciated.  Thanks.  


hgeifman
deone
35 posts
 
My EX-8 is also in a cabinet with the back completely shut and the door with wood slats (so ~50% open).  I use the Myrtle blocks.
Before the v 2.0 update, the back part of the amp would get up to 107F (this was a strip at the back bottom); the rest much less warm.  So I added a USB fan (~$10 from amazon) and that basically took care of that.

With the 2.0 update, I experimented with turning off the fan and after ~2-3 hours of listening, the hottest part of the amp was about 101F.  With the fan it is cooler.  Thus the vents have definitely helped but since the fan basically makes no noise that I can hear (once I'm more than a couple of feet away from it) I've left that going.  

As far as which channel is which, every amp I've ever used works the way you describe: as you face the amp, the left side is for the left speaker and the right side is for the right speaker.
gdnrbob
4,452 posts
 
I had a AX-7e and it wasn't hot at all.
You can also call Ayre directly. Sometimes, you'll get connected immediately, sometimes they will call back. It is usually Ariel or Ryan.
Bob
russ69's avatar
russ69
3,523 posts
 
It's best to get the most cooling you can achieve. An open back cabinet is good. But I would bore holes in the middle of the shelves to get cool air to move through the cabinet. Extra generous shelf spacing is also a good thing. 
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