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
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cleeds
6,011 posts
 
n80
... 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 ...
I think ARC gave you all the information you or anyone would need. It's just that you don't like the advice offered.
... 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.
Producing noise in the power source? That needn't be a problem.
If you'd like a really quiet, effective and inexpensive fan, it's tough to top one of these.
n80 OP
2,133 posts
 
@cleeds : " I think ARC gave you all the information you or anyone would need. It’s just that you don’t like the advice offered."

Thanks for the analysis.

And for the record I've gotten conflicting advice here. Right?
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cleeds
6,011 posts
 
n80
And for the record I've gotten conflicting advice here. Right?
Quite so. Some of it was consistent with the maunufacturer's recommendation. Some was not.  Who do you trust?
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n80 OP
2,133 posts
 
Given the vagueness of the manufacturer's 'advice' (which is the whole reason I asked the question to begin with) I'm not sure. They don't give much to go on. As I've documented. "Reasonable airflow".  "An exhaust fan". 1"? 2"? 8"? CFM?

And I've gotten advice from knowledgeable people that seems less vague than the manufacturer. And reasonable too. And all without being petulant. 
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