Should a dac run hot??

Consttraveler, 1 MINOR correction....
Agreed....warm yes / hot no.
BUT While it IS true that 'The amount of heat generated is directly related to the electrical efficiency of the device.;
it is ALSO true that the gross power input is also a factor.
Something drawing 100 watts at 90% efficiency will run cooler.. (actually, generate LESS heat) than another device drawing say.....25 watts and only 20% efficiency.
You can have a very inefficient device...a Class 'A' amp, for example, drawing a fair amount of idle current, which is all heat, but the temperature is fairly low due to huge heatsink mass. You may be able to heat a room with it, but you'll perceive it as 'warm'. Cut the heatsinks by half and it'll cook, while generating the same amount of heat.

Magfan:

You are correct. I was trying to keep it simple but should have written "all things being equal."

100 amp tube amplifier = Hot
100 amp Class A = less Hot
100 amp Digital = almost always the coolest.

Dave

Hello all and thanks for all for helping me with my question. I do have another question now. if the transformer is going bad or is bad what will this do? will it harm anything in my system? how bad is it? please let me know
Thanks again

Harnellt - I assume you talking about power transformer. Typical failure is caused by overheating and in effect destroying enamel on the wire causing shorted turn. Shorted turn heats up and wire melts interupting current flow. Why you suspect transformer?

Depends on the design of the DAC. If they are using the chassis to dissipate the heat, it may well run hot. The best bet is to find someone who is using the same unit and get a chassis temperature measurement - what is "hot" will vary from one person's judgment to another. If you cannot get to the company, and it works ok, I would not worry about it. However, If I couldn't get hold of the company, it would be the last piece of gear I bought that had their name on it.