2. amps-preamps
  3. 1380911585

How much heat from a tube amplifier?

I am looking at picking up an integrated tube amplifier, likely the Yaqin MC-30L. It is rated for 50 wpc in ultralinear mode. Whatever one I end up getting it will be a "toy" that isn't always hooked up.

I am trying to figure out the logistics of adding it to my system. If I slide my TV to one edge of my audio cabinet there is just enough room for it to sit on top of the cabinet. The downside is that I really can't leave it there for several reasons included WAF and two small kids (9 months and 27 months old). There is room in the cabinet and the door can be easily removed to provide additional ventilation when it's used, but it appears that there would only be about 6 inches of room between the top of the amp and the cabinet. If I could use it while inside the cabinet (rather than just storing it there) I could leave the speaker cables connected to it and the SACD player connected making it much quicker to setup for use. Is it likely that it will get hot enought to damage the inside of the cabinet?

I understand that all amps are different and there isn't any way for anyone to really know the exact answer, but I'm interest in getting an idea of what you guys think.
mceljo
donjr
1,335 posts
 
Get a solid state until your kids get older. Seriously, there's some great ones these days. I just ditched a Rogue Cronus Magnum which I loved, for a Hegel H200. I couldn't be happier.
jjrenman
279 posts
 
Mine is at least 50 open in the back and 95% open in the front assuming the door is removed which takes about the same effort as removing a grill cover. I would have reasonable clearance on the sides as well.

All kinds of cabinets but thanks for clarifying your specific set up. If you are removing the font when in use than you can go with one fan. I'd still mount it as high as possible on the back of the cabinet (or set the fan on the shelf behind the amp if possible) but instead of pulling hot air out the back I'd blow it into the cabinet and blow the cool air across the amp. You do not want a lot of air flow as the tubes do need heat to work properly. You just don't want the heat collecting above the amp.
mceljo OP
1,357 posts
 
Donor - I am happy with my solid state receiver and plan to still us it as the primary unit. The purpose of the tube inter grated amplifier is simply to be a secondary source of fun to hook up when I am in a listening mood and have the time to play. It probably won't get hooked up more a than a a few times a year. I just want to play around with a side of audio that I have never really experienced.
elevick
2,636 posts
 
I would never put a cooling fan near a tube amp. Microphonics would drive me nuts. Also, the amp would pick up tons of dust. For that matter, tube amps shouldn't be in a cabint-period. If kids are a problem, get an amp with a tube cage. The cage on a small amp won't get hot enough to burn a kid. Essentially tube amps run in class A. They put out full power at all times either dissipated by heat or by outputting music. So, yes a 100 watt amp will get considerably hotter than a similar 15 watt amp.
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,771 posts
 
Get something like the YAQIN EL84 6P14 with smaller tubes. You could add a small quiet running fan and some vent holes.
Disclaimer - use your common sense: possible fire hazard.
More to discover