Etheregen - doesn't seem right that it gets so hot, dangerous? Unpredictable?

The EtherRegen does get very hot. It actually was extremely disappointing with my Krell K-300i integrated when used with the built-in RJ45 streaming. The KRELL has the very best ROON READY implementation I have ever used.

I was about to ditch the EtherRegen when I came across John Swenson’s posts or white paper on the best way to do streaming. I was under the impression fibre optical directly out of a network switch into my Sonore OpticalRendu was the best way. However, Swenson, who designed the EtherRegen and OpticalRendu recommended using a fibre conversion just before the OpticalRendu.

There are many devices that can do this such as the Sonore OpticalModule. However, since I had the EtherRegen handy I tried that, in reverse order B > A, and I noticed a slight improvement in sound, as predicted in Swensons writings. So, the EtherRegen has stuck around running hot. There are other cheaper ways to do this conversion.

I have heat issues with another LPS I bought used with my 3rd OpticalRendu. That thing runs like fire, and I no longer use it due to concerns about fire. The EtherRegen in comparison is like air conditioning.

On spec page at Uptone states runs at 118-126F, so seems normal for the device. I suspect it would run lower temp with 7v vs 12v.

Same with the Sonore opticalRendu (discontinued) that I own. Burning hot stock 7V supply (cheap Chinese power supply available on aliexpress for about 1/4 of what Sonore charges). I added big heat sinks that hardly helped. Finally added the linked fans; still hot but no longer dangerous.

Quiet Fans

So it runs very hot and we accept it as being OK because the specs say this.  Why does it run so hot and it's continuous. There must be a reason for this.

A person achieves a first-degree burn at 120° and a second-degree burn at 130° and somehow seeing spec detail showing 125° is somehow going to make it all better. This thing uses a ton of energy as an aside, grossly wasteful.

So I'm looking for a worthwhile optical conversion and a decent network switch that's unmanaged, and then I can move on.  Quoting “pretty girl“ - huge disappointment.
 

After listening to the System without this etheregen not hearing much of a problem and with a better network switch and optical conversion I'm sure it'll be just wonderful.  

I'm using the After Dark power supply that also powers the After Dark clock, and though I can say my Ether Regen is warm I would not classify it as hot. I can keep my hand on top of it without any discomfort.

ozzy