[Gary Brenton]

I am using a classic 1990's JVC-AX222 amplifier which is 40watts per channel and only used at normal volume on a pair of Tannoy Mercury F3 floorstanding speakers.

I love the audio quality of this amplifier as it is punchy... not 'bass light' like most and I cannot find another amplifier that matches the quality of this model...but the problem is that it tends to get very warm for some reason.

I have stripped this amplifier down and completely cleaned just about every part of it as the circuit board was caked in dust when I had it.

The overall condition is excellent and the inside now looks like new and is completely 'dust free' as it is kept in a hi-fi unit so I cannot understand as to why this amp gets so very warm at low volume levels? (I dread to think how hot this would get if I listened at high volume levels?)

I have another amplifier which is a Sansui AU-117 (1978 era) of which is much less power...but having used this amplifier at low, moderate and slightly higher volumes - it never seems to get warm whatsoever?

I am no expert on amplifiers...but the heat from this JVC amplifier is concerning me slightly because I would have thought my old classic Sansui would create more heat because of it's age? - any possible ideas or remedies would be greatly appreciated...

[gomezz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Brenton

it is kept in a hi-fi unit

There is the problem. Get it out of there. Let it breathe.

[Nigel Goodwin]

You need someone who has the exact same model, some amplifiers do run hot - it depends entirely on their design.

[niall campbell]

it could be that it wasnt built with a lot of vents

I think if you can put your hand on it without being scalded or burnt , then your ok

[evil c]

I have a 100W RMS Quad 405 current dumping power amplifier which is on constantly and runs warm. I have removed the voltage limiters as well. If I give it a bit of work to do then it gets hotter and in the summer it puts out a fair amount of heat. The heat sinks built into the outer case take the heat out and that's why the case is warm. In my experience power amplifiers or the power amplifier stage in a combined amp are designed to run warm/hot and perform better if they do. The 'old' Quad manufacturer actually recommended that their power amplifiers should be on for 24 hours before they were used to let them reach running temperature. I recommend that your amplifier positioning should allow it to have good air circulation on all sides especially where the vents are, just as you would for a computer or a fridge. As regards heat output it's a similar thing with CD players. They 'sound' better if on constantly, and should be slightly warm, but nothing like as warm as a power amp.