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Need to vent tube heat?

We're building a house and I'm planning on a custom cabinet for the main stereo, which will be in the living room. When playing, cabinet doors will be open to display components.

System includes ARC REF 3, CD-7, VS-115 (possibly replaced by REF 110 or 210), SME 20/2, and phono preamp to be determined. These put off considerable heat, which is an issue given that I live in Texas.

Do you recommend that I use a fan/vent system to pull heat out? Would it make enough of a difference, in terms of AC costs, to vent the heat? I suppose it might also help with tube life.

I appreciate any advice.

chucktone
casouza
239 posts
 
You certainly need to vent tube heat.
Back in the 80s ARC used to make rack ventilation units. The idea is similar to Newbee's, two fans inside a 4" tall rack unit.
The Ref 110 and Ref 210 amps have their own fans, just make sure that the cabinet back has plenty of openings to allow air flow.
zargon's avatar
zargon
453 posts
 
Newbee, did you mean 12v dc fans in series? I agree this will reduce the speed and noise of the fan. You can also run a single 12v dc fan on a 6v wall wart and get the same effect.
newbee
4,792 posts
 
Zargon, I do use 5" 120v fans - they move a lor of air with less noise and vibration (only) when you use two in series. I've never used 5" 12v fans but I'd imaging the result would be similar. I got into the 120v models because I originally used just one and put it on a rheostat made for a fan (which was just a PITA - it didn't get enuf air movement when it was dialed down enuf to work quietly). The thing I wouldn't recommend is the smaller 12v computer fans. Not much air, lots of noise.
vegasears
1,173 posts
 
Many years ago I had my components in a tight open face, closed back and sides, shelved cabinet. I cut two holes in the 1/4" rear plywood and installed nearly silent small computer fans, switched to a power bar. At first use, I found a very slight vibration noise was being transferred to the plywood. I added 3/4" reinforcing bracing to the exterior of the plywood which stopped the vibration.

The cabinet was pushed close to the rear wall and collected dust. Within a year I was to changing out the fans because of wear which caused noise.

IMMHO any design with fans should include easy accessibility for cleaning and replacement.

Good Luck
chucktone OP
10 posts
 
Thanks for the replies. I had not really thought about ease of access to the fan(s).

As to the A/C question, do you think it's a good idea, in terms of energy savings, to vent the heat out? Have any other hot climate audiogoners gone this route? The heat would be vented out of the room, into either the attic or out the side of the house.

Thanks
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