2. amps-preamps
  3. 1196698410

Tube amp location

I've got a question for you tube guys. I'd like to add a couple of mono tube amps to my combo HT/audio rig. Problem is I have my equipment in an entertainment center which has glass doors on the front, so heat would probably be a problem.

The glass doors are not sealed and have about a 1/4" opening aroung the edge. The back of the entertainment center is fiber board which I cut out around all my equipmet for ventilation and access to wiring. I can easily get 6-8" clearance on top of the components, but only have 20" side to side.

I'm thinking this is not enough ventilation for tubes and I don't have space to put them on floor. Not to mention my wife would throw a fit. So my only other option is on top the of the speakers.

I have Klipsch Cornwall III's so I have a fairly large area to set the amps on, but I'm worried the vibration from the speakers would adversly effect the amplifiers/sound.

What do you guys think? Stick with solid state?

Thanks.
jack_dotson
schipo
1,267 posts
 
Mrjstark
BOTH BAD IDEAS

Ok then please instead of saying both are bad ideas, tell us your idea about how to properly cool the amps and cabinet?My idea was the use of fans because of the wife exceptance problem with taking amps out and placing them on the floor.
schipo
1,267 posts
 
certainly don't place the amps on top of your speakers. I believe my suggestion with the use of fans might be a good option.
narrod
1,064 posts
 
If you have to keep them in the cabinet stay with solidstate. It is a bad idea to enclose them and placement on the speakers is equally bad. Behind the speakers is the best solution.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
4,163 posts
 
It goes against audiophile wisdom, but you can place the amps on top of the speakers with little ill effect. Just be sure to place them on a solid surface that you can decouple from the speaker cabinet.
cyclonicman
693 posts
 
Mrjstark, Schipo is right, they make cooling fans specifically for these types of situations. At this point, let's just make sure that Jack doesn't use his speakers as a platform for his speakers!!
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