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
hgeifman OP
2,242 posts
 

Can the Ayre EX-8 2.0 Integrated Amplifier be left on 24/7 or should the ampliifer be placed in sleep mode when not in use?   Ayre specifications say '60 watts in operating mode'.   Thanks...

beetlemania
834 posts
 

Yes, you can leave an Ayre amp powered all the time. It doesn't hurt anything other than your wallet when the power bill arrives. Sleep mode saves power without powering completely off. I put my AX-5 in sleep mode most nights and I unplug it if I'm gone from the house more than about a week (my previous house was hit by lightning and I lost several components of my then mid-fi system).

I've read accounts of Ayre not sounding its best unless warmed up for many hours. That's not my experience but I rarely go from sleep mode to a full scale listening session, and pretty much never from completely off to critical listening. If I'm home and awake, my system is playing music so it's pretty much warm when I'm ready to sit down and bliss out.

hgeifman OP
2,242 posts
 

I scanned the Ayre EX-8 2.0 manual and discovered some interesting information.  

After 30 minutes of no activity, the amplifier will shut down its output stage.  As soon as the amplifier receives an input signal, it will start up again.  

hgeifman OP
2,242 posts
 

I just received my Ayre EX-8 2.0 amp and it is breaking in. I changed my amp settings so the amp will go into sleep mode after 30 minutes. It does not work. I powered down my amp for 30 minutes and restarted it.
 

After 30 minutes, my amp did not go into sleep mode as per their manual. Am I missing a setting or something?  Obviously, I will contact my retailer on Tuesday. Any thoughts?  

hgeifman OP
2,242 posts
 

My retailer confirms the sleep/low power mode (push left button on front of the amp) is an option when not listening. In addition, in the Ayre manual (one of the many settings), there is a setting that, when enabled, places the amp in a low power mode after 30-minutes of no input (manual page 24).

The enable option automatically disables the audio circuitry when a selected input remains inactive after 30-minutes. As soon as the input becomes active again. the audio circuitry is automatically re-enabled. My Ayre EX-8 2.0 amp is still breaking in so I cannot judge its sounds quality. The Ayre manual says 100 to 500 hours are required for the amp to break-in. I hope this helps......

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