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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
Post removed 
n80 OP
2,116 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. 
n80 OP
2,116 posts
 
djones51, yes I can build a false wall in the back and intended to from the beginning. Will put flush mount power strips there. At each shelf level there will be openings in the false wall for cables allowing some additional air flow.

And yes, I can mount a fan there. It would not have a very good exhaust path though because these low shelves will have high shelves going up either side which will preclude side vents. Vent openings on the top shelf would be unsightly and this is part of a set of bookshelves which are intended to be an attractive part of the decor. My "music" room is not really my room or entirely a music room as it doubles as a TV room and den.

The owner's manual says it recommends a fan if the cabinet has a closed back. It says this is in case of "long periods of time in hot ambient air". They do not say what they mean by "hot". We keep the house at no more than 78 degrees in the summer time. Usually 76. 

I am prepared to put the unit on top if need be. I wish I had measured operating temps while the unit was running in the summer. Then I could compare them with the unit on a shelf and move it if temps were to run higher.


djones51
4,947 posts
 
I deleted my post I noticed cleeds already linked to the company that makes the airplates used in av cabinets I was thinking could be used in a false wall. They are flush mount you can  google , airplate, to see the flush mount fans. 
n80 OP
2,116 posts
 
It came as an email notice.

The other problem I have with putting the pre-amp on top is that the top shelf will have to have substantial openings for all the cables to go down through and the Transparent RCA  and balanced cables have 'bricks' on them requiring even more room for cables. Such openings would be fairly ugly and as mentioned this unit is supposed to be 'part of the decor'. I like things nice looking but this is my wife's room too.

If the pre goes on top it will be sitting next to the TT.  Was hoping to have the TT as the only thing on the top. That way it would only require a small desk type grommet for the RCA and power cables.

Designing this unit is really difficult. If all I needed to do was make something to hold audio equipment in the most effective way this would not be that hard.

That it is part of a built-in system that has to fit the room and the built-in bookshelves that will go beside it adds another level.

That it has to look good and fit with the molding and trim of the room adds yet another.

At this point my plan (which changes every 10 minutes) is to have the pre-amp on the next to highest shelf. It will have nothing within 10 inches either side of it. It will have 3 inches clearance above it and it will be on blocks giving it 2 inches of clearance below it. It will have six inches clearance behind it. The shelf below it will have vent holes. There will be no heat producing components anywhere below it.
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