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Tandberg 3012 - Hot fins

Hello guys,

I recently stated using a vintage Tandberg 3012 integrated amp and noticed that the cooling fins located on the left side of the amp in the area of transistors (4 each) gets very hot (almost to hot to touch). The amp works great and sounds superb but I am wondering if this heat issue is normal or if it may later become a problem or is indicating that something is soon to fail. I used the amp this winter with a cooler room temperature and the heat in the reported area was definitely not as high. I just want to know if this is normal for this amp.

Thanks,
sympaticonorm
utley1
44 posts
 
I have a 3012 that I have not used in two years.Can they drive 4 ohm speakers or would there be a current problem. I used to use them on 8 ohm speakers. I have a pair Maggie 1.6's which I am using with crown 1983 amps and preamp .This site is amazing that Tandberg would pop up
sympaticonorm OP
103 posts
 
I did not want to take a chance and pulled the 3012 out of my system. I will try it again in the near future with more efficient speakers (vintage Dynaco A25) and see if it gets as hot.
energizer
113 posts
 
sounds like the channel bias needs adjustment.
sympaticonorm OP
103 posts
 
Are you pulling my leg. How would you adjust bias on this S/S amp? Can this be done by anyone with technical skills or does it have to go to a repair shop with specialized test equipment?
gtb75
6 posts
 
It is absolutely normal for that amp to run very warm - even at idle. My father purchased a new 3012a when I was a kid (I was probably about 10 years old) and it definitely ran very warm. I picked up a used 3012a (it's a great amp) for a bedroom system and it also runs warm. It seems like most of the older Tandberg amps (pre 303x series) ran very warm because they have a higher class A bias than most amps do. Either way, completely normal and nothing to worry about. Just don't stack anything on top of it - it needs the airflow!
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