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To Hot to Handle?

I have been contemplating the purchase of a tube amp. However, one of my concerns is the possible heat issues associated with running a tube amp (or mono blocs) with 12+ tubes during the summer in the Northeast. I do not have central air in my apartment.

Would it really be unbearable? I would appreciate comments from anyone with such experiences/solutions. Or, are there any 75+ watt tube amps in the under $2500 new/used category that don't run hot?

Thank you in advance,
mattybumpkin
Post removed 
mattybumpkin OP
590 posts
 
Well,

I have already done the dirty deeed. I bought a pair of AES Six Pacs tonight from Kevin at Upscale Audio, with the Jensen cap upgrade. While only 50 watts, they have a great amount of reserve I am told.

So, we will see what it is like to have a BBQ inside.

Marco, I think you have been too close to tubes for too long, you wing nut. You in the Northeast? If so, give me a yell, I will buy a couple rounds, nice cool beer to calm the senses.

Thank you all,
jax2
3,031 posts
 
My folks live in the Nor'east in VT Matty, but I'm clear across the
continent in Seattle. Now if you're having a BBQ with two six packs that
may entice me to come out there on a whim. Those sixers oughta put
some nice KT88 burns so make sure to have twelve of'em on hand come
February. The EL34 option just doesn't get those top layers seared quite
enough. KT88's are easier to grip too and you'll get those nods of
recognition every time you roll up your sleaves.

Good on'ya Bumpkin. That Dennis Had knows which end of the
soldering iron is hot! Heard good things about AES. Let us all know how
it all sounds when you hook'em up and find out what music really
sounds like. Hope you got something tubearific to feed it with?! Yeah,
music really doesn't need to sound like nails on a chalkboard, and you
can stop buying that Costco-sized bottle of Advil every month for those
headaches you were wondering about. Why the savings alone oughta
start you on your way to saving up for those Bernings I see in your
future. Crimighty folks, my laptop battery is dying and my dog's asleep
at my elbow and it's bloody hot here in Seattle. I ougtta wrap this up
and get my silly ass to bed. Night all........

Marco
c123666
871 posts
 
I solved the problem by sticking with a SET 300B amplifier and using headphones when it is too hot to run the amp! That is only a couple of weeks per year in the SF Bay Area thank The Gods (for they are many).
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
What generates the heat in a tube amp? I know that the tube filiaments, turned on all the time even with no signal, generate a lot of heat. That is their purpose...to "boil off" electrons. The power transformer heat will vary somewhat with signal, as the current draw varies. There are probably a few resistors that dissipate power.

What else generates heat, and what are the relative amounts?
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