The wait is part of the journey

[miner]

I have had to add some Cooler Guys 120mm fans behind my MC275 to help pull the heat away. Even though I have taken the back off of the cabinet I could feel the heat buildup around the maps. I mounted two fans behind the amps to pull cool air through the area (I leave doors open when playing). They are connected to a thermal start/stop switch; when temp gets above 88*F the fans come on to cool down to 81*F. My PS Audio P5 gets warmer quicker than my MC275s.

[John Jordan]

Kevin-

The 275's really throw a lot of heat. Your set-up looks real nice but with all the tubes you have now might you consider going to a more open air type shelving system?

Initially when moving to tube amps, I kept the cages off. Of late experimenting with them in place, has lessened/more so controlled (?) the heat. Perhaps they are acting as a heat sink or provide more efficient air flow as do the shrouds on a small (lawn mower for example) engine.

While I have no experience with power regenerators, it sounds like the P5 might also benefit from a more open shelf. Have you tried the amps plugged directly into the wall?

Are you running the amps strapped as 150 mono blocks or unstrapped with one channel of each amp for the woofer and one for the mid/highs?

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by John Jordan

Initially when moving to tube amps, I kept the cages off. Of late experimenting with them in place, has lessened/more so controlled (?) the heat. Perhaps they are acting as a heat sink or provide more efficient air flow as do the shrouds on a small (lawn mower for example) engine.

John.......I came to the same conclusion with my two MC75 mono tube amps. I have both of them installed on a single bottom shelf of a Salamander rack. The tube cages installed reduced radiant heat above and to the side of the KT88’s and act as heat sinks that spread the heat evenly across all surfaces of the cage. With the two fans installed in the back of the shelf cavity both amps are running in a comfortable temperature range, and considerably cooler than with the cages removed.

[miner]

Running strapped at 150 per. I will try cages on. Not ready to try a different rack - need to make this work. Doors are open when playing, fans pulling air from front to back with no back on the console.

[miner]

I have added the cages to the tubes and it has made a difference - thank you John and Dan. I have also added Stillpoints Ultra-minis under my Mc275s. Have not had the opportunity to listen yet but I have hopes of an audio improvement. Every time I have used Stillpoints some improvement has occurred.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by miner

I have added the cages to the tubes and it has made a difference - thank you John and Dan. I have also added Stillpoints Ultra-minis under my Mc275s. Have not had the opportunity to listen yet but I have hopes of an audio improvement. Every time I have used Stillpoints some improvement has occurred.

Kevin.......Glad to hear the tube cages installed on your MC275 amplifiers made a difference with the heat issue. The Stillpoints Ultra Mini footers are icing on the cake. Happy listening.