2. amps-preamps
  3. 140826-115924

Cabinet clearance for Audio Acoustics LS16 tube pre-amp?

I am in the process of designing a built in cabinet for my stereo system. The owner's manual for the Proceed HPA2 amp is very clear about clearances for air flow. And even in the summer it almost never feels very hot as it has enormous aluminum heat sinks with completely open airflow from top to bottom.

The owner's manual for the LS-16 does not give any specifics. It says things like "adequate airflow" and that with a closed back cabinet, which mine will be, an exhaust fan is "desirable". That's about all they say. And it runs noticeably hotter than the amp. The top is never too hot to touch by any means but it is warm to the touch. Currently it sits on top of basic component stand and is up on some raised blocks so it gets all the airflow it could possibly need.

I could put it on top of the built-in shelves but I'd prefer not to. I'd also prefer not to have an exhaust fan humming along all the time. But, I don't want to shorten tube life or hurt the unit either.

Any recommendations? Precautions? Prior experience with your set-ups with tube pre-amps? 

Thanks,

George
n80
donvito
400 posts
 
All these consoles from the 50’s and 60’s that your granddaddy owned were all tube. Many are still working today with no problem! I doubt an enclosed preamp with its small tubes would be something to worry about!
https://www.pinterest.com/retromodradio/vintage-stereo-consoles/
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cleeds
5,898 posts
 
donvito
All these consoles from the 50’s and 60’s that your granddaddy owned were all tube. Many are still working today with no problem! I doubt an enclosed preamp with its small tubes would be something to worry about!
Enclosing a vacuum tube component is not a good idea - even a preamp. Three or four inch clearance above the component is not sufficient, imo. Those old consoles - if you examine them carefully - typically have good accommodation for ventilation. They are not as "enclosed" as they appear at first glance.
n80 OP
2,116 posts
 
I can put it on the top shelf, with nothing above it. I don't want to but I can.

 I find it irritating that Audio Research did not give more specifics in regard to placement. I'd be willing to measure temps if I needed to for equipment this expensive (when new).

Again, in my design it technically would not be 'enclosed'.
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cleeds
5,898 posts
 
n80 
I find it irritating that Audio Research did not give more specifics in regard to placement.
How much information did you expect ARC to provide? From the LS16 user manual:
"In a cabinet or rack-mount installation which has an enclosed back, an exhaust fan is desirable ..."
n80 OP
2,116 posts
 
Yes, I quoted that above. Does "desirable" mean that it will burn your house down with out a fan, short out the unit irreparably, shorten tube life, roast marshmallows over it?

And again, Madrigal gives specific numbers in terms of spacing as do some other manufacturers. In that regard I don't see why it is unreasonable to expect that sort of info about a unit in which we are typically very fussy about everything else. Knowing where to put it is something most users will be confronted with.

And the last thing most of us want in our music rooms is a fan humming along and producing all sorts of noise in the power source.
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