Tandberg 3012 - Hot fins

I have owned a lot of Tandberg equipment over the years and some of their models can run quite warm. If it sounds good and the channels are balanced I wouldn't worry about it. Just make sure there is plenty of ventilation and you should be ok. The amplifier's protection includes a thermo trip, which will operate if the temperature inside the amplifier rises above normal operating value.

Is the amplifier a 3012 or 3012A?

i sold tandberg retail and they did get hot. i also was concerned and just kept everything well ventilated and used a fan. i also had a music fidelity integrated that got so hot you could only touch the top for a second or two and it did finaly die. after 10 years. few things last forever especially electronics. i would get a fan and monitor the heat. and i would check out for dust if there is any.i am sure you have already done that but i just had a year old laptop fail and when i opened it up the amount of dust was impressive. i love my tandberg reel to reel and casette decks and we also sold nakamichi for what thats worth. thank you

It is a 3012, not a 3012A. Dust was cleaned out. Everything is balance and it sounds really good.

I had a 3012 and they normally run a little warm.
The 3.8 's are a tough load and if you like them loud they would sound better with a larger power amp.

I will go back to my CJ MV60SE amp tomorrow. I think that you are correct in that the 3.8's are a bit much for the 3012.