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
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.