Amp Temp Data (Re Antec Low Ptofile Fan)

Gulfstrings

"Just okay ... " was my comment after trying the Antec cooling fan with the NAD T955 power amp. While the fans removed some heat, the dimensions of the Antec unit completely covered the top of the amp restricting heat from escaping naturally. It was really a draw and I didn't want the worry that someday the fan would fail and possibly harm the amp.

So, I placed the fan on the Onkyo 707 (which I didn't believe was running very hot with the five channels being passed thru to the NAD), but thought a test worth the effort.

All this was subjective ... just using my hand to feel the tops. But yesterday I fiddled around with a Raytek brand laser surface-sensing thermometer and got some real numbers.

NAD: Two channel w/cabinet door closed = 107 to 113 degrees F.
NAD: Two channel w/cabinet door open = 101 to 111 degrees F.
NAD: Five channel w/cabunet door closed = 113 to 119 degrees F.
NAD: Five channel w/cabunet door open = 109 to 117 degrees F.

Onkyo: Two channel w/fan/door closed = 94 to 97 degrees F.
Onkyo: Two channel w/fan/door open = 91 to 94 degrees F.
Onkyo: Five channel w/fan/door closed = 94 to 98 degrees F.
Onkyo: Five channel w/fan/door open = 93 to 96 degrees F.

Note 1: The amp temps were taken by passing the laser beam in a left-to-right scan starting at the front and moving rearwards.

Note 2: The Antec was set on its low setting spec'd at 5 cubic feet of air per minute moved.

Note 3: The Onkyo temps were taken by shooting the laser beam between the Onkyo and the fan reading as much surface area as possible.

I'm going to contact NAD and ask what they feel is a normal operating temp for their amps.

Re the Onkyo, it appears that using it as a pre doesn't make for a lot of heat of being generated from its chassis.

Not exactly rocket science but nice to know where these operating temps are and hopefully determine if we're in the green or in the red.

Dave

geebolt

I guess the logical question would be if you were able to get readings off the Onk with no fan.

George

Gulfstrings

geebolt wrote: »

I guess the logical question would be if you were able to get readings off the Onk with no fan.

George

Must admit my hand thermometer had me convinced there wasn't enough difference to set up the test, but you're correct ... the test must be done. So ...

Onkyo: 5 channel w/o fan/door closed = 101 to 113 degrees F.
Onkyo: 5 channel w/o fan/door open = 100 to 111 degrees F.
Onkyo: 2 channel w/o fan/door closed = 101 to 114 degrees F.
Onkyo: 2 channel w/o fan/ door open = 101 to 113 degrees F.

Observed.

1. The Antec is fairly effective when used to the cool the Onkyo.
2. The Onkyo being used as a "pre" generates consistant heat running either two or five channels.
3. Were it using its own internal amps, it's possible the Onkyo could run hotter than the NAD.

Believe I'll contact both NAD AND Onkyo and ask about expected running temps for both.

Dave

geebolt

Yeah, about 15 degrees difference at the high end seems to me like a fair amount of cooling.
FWIW, my Onk runs quite hot with no amps being used. I've read it has something to do with the video circuitry especially if "immediate mode" is on as mine is. I just added a 120v Radio Shack fan on the top of the Onk blowing out the rear of the cabinet and its helped quite a bit but its a little noisey with the cabinet dooe open.

Gulfstrings

I'm going to contact Onkyo and NAD today and ask what operating temp range is 'normal' for their equipment. I think the temps I've seen should be acceptable but would like to know for sure.

Dave

Ric5811

That's why I like Carver! Put my hand on it anytime, and it's cool to the touch!:D

But everyone knows..Carver sux..;)

geebolt

It'll be interesting to hear what normal temps should be...

George

Gulfstrings

First response (below) is from Onkyo:

Thank You for contacting Onkyo USA Product Support.

We apologize for the delay in responding to your email. We are experiencing a heavy volume of inquiries. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Our receivers do tend to run about 80 degrees above ambient room temperature, this is normal. If you install the apparatus in a built-in installation, such as a bookcase or rack, ensure that there is adequate ventilation. Leave 20 cm (8") of free space at the top and sides and 10 cm (4") at the rear. The rear edge of the shelf or board above the apparatus shall be set 10 cm (4") away from the rear panel or wall, creating a flue-like gap for warm air to escape. Please make sure that when you turn off the main receiver that you also turn off the Zone 2 because if you don’t turn off Zone2 then the receiver will continue to run and will produce heat. There is an internet dealer selling cooling fans that can be used with our receivers www.coolerguys.com.

Thanks,
Jose



Again, thank you for contacting Onkyo and Integra USA Product Support, if you need further assistance feel free to call us at:

Onkyo Product Support: 800-229-1687
Integra Product Support: 800-225-1946

End.

"Our receivers to tend to run about 80 degrees above ambient room temperature, this is normal." Holy heat! Unless that laser thermometer AND my hand are on the fritz, my numbers are a loooooong way from the 150 + degrees or so they would expect.

Again, I'm just passing thru the Onkyo so it makes sense it would run cooler.

Still waiting to hear from NAD.

Dave

geebolt

Wow! In my house this time of year that would put it at 157 degrees!

George

Gulfstrings

geebolt wrote: »

Wow! In my house this time of year that would put it at 157 degrees!

George

George -

And if I remember right, you're running thru the Onk to your Emo. Any idea what kind of temps you're running? Did you catch their comment about zone two ON?

Right now I'm feeling pretty good about temperature and thinking that the NAD at 120 degrees F (max to this point) is just a day in the park, though I'm looking forward to their reply about normal temp range.

Will leave the Antec in place above the Onkyo 'cause it is helping, I can stack stuff on it, it looks kinda cool and I did spend eighty bux on the damn thing.

Will post NAD's reply as soon as available.

Dave

geebolt

Yep, I'm using the Onk as a Pre/Pro only. I do use zone two but only as a trigger for the Emo. When I turn everything off, zone two is cut off as well. Its all programmed thru the Harmony remote. So the only time zone two is on, is when I'm using the Onkyo/Emo combo. But that could still contribute to the heat I guess. I don't know what the actual temps are. I may have to borrow one of those thermometers and find out. I'll also try turning the Emo on manually without the zone two thing and see if there is a difference. The radio shack fan I got on top of the Onk does help things though.

George

cnh

Interesting data...but I 'believe' the Onkyo numbers and I run the amps? My 80x series is far too hot to touch for a long period of time in a room temp of 80 to 85.

HT reviews have clocked Onkyos at 136 or so degrees in a NORMAL room temp! I've owned three Onkyos and EVERY one of them has gotten HOT. I am always surprised when I hear someone saying an ONKYO only gets 'warm' or is 113F, because I've never experienced that? Even my Denon runs hot enough to cause problems for the CD player above it when the ambient temps are 85 or so and that unit one CAN touch--just very warm.

On the other hand the cheaper Pioneer I have in the basement hardly every gets warmish? My NAD integrated is probably in your ballpark, I'm guessing by touch though.

I don't consider those temps for the NAD to be any problem whatsoever. But I do believe that all that heat Onkyos generate MUST have an effect...especially since they usually get hottest right over the HDMI circuitry and processors? Why, I can't answer that...perhaps someone with structural knowledge can. The heat sinks are located a few inches AWAY from the hottest section of the Onkyo. And even though the Onkyo gets darned hot...the FANS NEVER EVER turn on? What's up with that? Maybe Onkyo is not kidding about that 150 or so temp. Perhaps you actually have to reach 'frying temps' before the fans activate?

My assumption has always been that guys who have Onkyos that don't get HOT have GREAT air-conditioning set at 66 or less??

cnh

Serendipity

Yes, the unit literally has to reach "Frying Temps" before the fans turn on.

Try turning up the volume to +12dB in All Channel Stereo, I guarantee the fans will turn on.

I would recommend using a dummy load or DJ speakers for this...

Gulfstrings

cnh wrote: »

My assumption has always been that guys who have Onkyos that don't get HOT have GREAT air-conditioning set at 66 or less??

cnh

Must admit an expected "normal" delta to ambient of 80F was a bit of a surprise though I really didn't have any baseline data to start with - never temped my Onkyo until after the NAD was added and its internal amps bypassed.

Agree that the NAD temp is relatively benign. Still waiting to hear back from NAD but not expecting any surprises or reason for concern.

Like many here, I've read several comments aound the net about high Onkyo operating temps and hopefully this info can get out to some of those comcerned that it may not be worth the worry.

Dave

Gulfstrings

Finally got a response from NAD regarding expected operating temperatures ... sort of. Here's how they responded:


re: Operating Temperature?
Thank you for contacting the NAD Electronics Support Centre.

The temperature of the T955 can vary depending on the conditions and ambient temperature.

If the amp is just driving low power outputs then the heatsink and hence top cover temp can get high >50C especially in the summer where the ambient can be >30C.

We typically test these at ambient of 50C in chamber driving a load of 4 ohms at 1/8 power output which is the worst case dissipation for this type of Class A/B output stage.

I hope this helps.


Okay, 50C is about 122 degrees F and is the highest temperature I saw with the laser thermometer. So I'm thinking I'm in great shape with current setup.

AND, if I'm reading their response correctly, they TEST in a 50C chamber and drive the hell out of them! Whoa NAD! That's hot!

Or in this case, pretty cool.

Hope some of this was of interest.

Dave