If you do this, get fans with a filter and clean it when needed. Use a switchable 12v power supply that turns on only when the amps do. RGB LED fan may add some neat glow back there, too.
You need airflow. If you insist on that placement, take out the back panel or drill holes in it to allow airflow. And keep it a bit away from the wall. As others have said, stacked placement it is not ideal. I keep my tube amps on the top with nothing above or around them.
Would stacking some Ikea [side tables](https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/p/lack-side-table-black-brown-80104268/) would having the amps* side by side on the surface of these be okay?
I was thinking of putting my turntable at the top because it has a lid to flip open, amps underneath side by side.
Those IKEA ones look to be standard (21”?) in height. That would be fine. Tubes put out a huge amount of heat and don’t like being bathed in that heat.
Correct they are 21 inches tall, though I might cut the legs down so everything looks more fitted but give everything enough breathing room. Each amp is 6 inches tall, how much height should I give? 21 inches is too tall and I’m planning on stacking these tables. How much width should I keep between the two?
I’m glad I asked Reddit before I started testing everything, I’m still learning and everyone has been very nice.
I suppose you could wire up a couple of computer cooling fans to pull the heat away and through the back of the cabinet. You could connect them to the same supply so when the amps are on, the fans are running. Just be aware that dust might get drawn toward the amps.
Thank you! I’m starting off and don’t have money for an expensive audiophile shelving unit. Planning on stacking some Ikea [side tables](https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/p/lack-side-table-black-brown-80104268/) would having them side by side on one of these be okay?
It’s probably best that I moved them out of the center of this shelf. They are quite heavy even with two legs holding the centre of the stand up.
Noted all of the above. Online says to keep 3 inches at the minimum for clearance. I’ll do 4-6 inches and won’t put them here.
Would my other comment like stacking ikea lack side tables on top of each other be good for airflow?
Out in the open on side tables would work. A steel shelf unit with wire shelves would allow even more free air flow. If you fit 120 mm fans in the back panel of your current cabinet, I suspect that would be OK too. Tube stuff could be very compact back in the day: look at WW2 aircraft radio equipment.
Excuse me if I interpreted something you said incorrectly, OP, but my understanding here is that you are new to tubes. Do know that they can carry lethal voltages, so no tinkering unless you know what you are doing, and note that these amps should never be turned on unless they have a load (speakers connected). Don’t want to learn either of those the hard way.
I am new to tubes. My dad left me with these and tested them before he passed. I’ve been told recently not to turn them on without anything plugged into them so I haven’t! I did not know about lethal voltages though..
My family friend is an audiophile that knew my dad personally so he will be helping me out before I blow shit up haha.
I would measure some temps with a laser thermometer and go from there. Personally I wouldn’t put those there, tube amps need some breathing room. Electronic component life shortens with increased temperatures. Can they go on top where you can see those beauties better anyway?
I wish I could put them on top but my 65 inch tv is at the perfect height sitting on top of tv stand and there’s no room on both sides (left and right of the tv). :/
It’ll belong on r/TvTooHigh if I mounted it to give it more space for my amps. currently the center of my tv is 40-42 inches from the middle of the tv to the ground. Mounting it would result it being at the same position.
No cabinets for any amps, tubes or solid state, in my humble admittedly old school opinion. Maybe some of the tiny class d or chip amps…. Tbh, I don’t like locating any components in cabinets if I can help it, becomes an accessibility issue for me, etc….
I have 2 Marantz model 9s in tighter quarters than that, BUT I use a boxer fan behind each one. Large pin tubes like EL34 and KT88 require fans in tight quarters. Little 9 pin tubes not so much.
Not even close… premature death / will cook your gear over time and with two will get as hot as an oven with a long , all day listening session. Fans can offer assistance but never blow air on electronics… pull air away. Tubes are badass and chicks dig them… put em on top of the furniture / display them / they’re a statement piece.
Enjoy 🍻😎🌞
*A pair of Highwatt*
*Guitar amps may warm a house*
*In Arctic Russia*
\- Recent\_Neck6373
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There´s a reason why tube radios were that big back then... I don´t think that´s a good place for an tube amp.
Add a silent gaming fan at the back of each shelf.
If you do this, get fans with a filter and clean it when needed. Use a switchable 12v power supply that turns on only when the amps do. RGB LED fan may add some neat glow back there, too.
Not the best placement, top of each other.
Noted! And I will not keep them or use them there.
I would set them on top, they were used as additional heaters back in the days. 🍀✌🏽 Otherwise: 2x 140mm BeQuiet@5-7V in the back
You need airflow. If you insist on that placement, take out the back panel or drill holes in it to allow airflow. And keep it a bit away from the wall. As others have said, stacked placement it is not ideal. I keep my tube amps on the top with nothing above or around them.
Would stacking some Ikea [side tables](https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/p/lack-side-table-black-brown-80104268/) would having the amps* side by side on the surface of these be okay? I was thinking of putting my turntable at the top because it has a lid to flip open, amps underneath side by side.
Those IKEA ones look to be standard (21”?) in height. That would be fine. Tubes put out a huge amount of heat and don’t like being bathed in that heat.
Correct they are 21 inches tall, though I might cut the legs down so everything looks more fitted but give everything enough breathing room. Each amp is 6 inches tall, how much height should I give? 21 inches is too tall and I’m planning on stacking these tables. How much width should I keep between the two? I’m glad I asked Reddit before I started testing everything, I’m still learning and everyone has been very nice.
I suppose you could wire up a couple of computer cooling fans to pull the heat away and through the back of the cabinet. You could connect them to the same supply so when the amps are on, the fans are running. Just be aware that dust might get drawn toward the amps.
Yeah I’m just going to put them in the side tables I linked as they’re more open for airflow.
Probably the best way.
I don't think I'd set them up like that tbh. Put them side by side with more circulation, the heat accumulation will shorten the life of the valves
Thank you! I’m starting off and don’t have money for an expensive audiophile shelving unit. Planning on stacking some Ikea [side tables](https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/p/lack-side-table-black-brown-80104268/) would having them side by side on one of these be okay? It’s probably best that I moved them out of the center of this shelf. They are quite heavy even with two legs holding the centre of the stand up.
They’re so nice to look at though. I’d leave em out!
Why not put them on top of your entertainment center to show them off?
The top of your Ikea cabinet above the amps will ketch fire eventually.
The finish might blister. We had a stereo(ish) console with tubes and the veneer was peeling from the heat.
Noted all of the above. Online says to keep 3 inches at the minimum for clearance. I’ll do 4-6 inches and won’t put them here. Would my other comment like stacking ikea lack side tables on top of each other be good for airflow?
Out in the open on side tables would work. A steel shelf unit with wire shelves would allow even more free air flow. If you fit 120 mm fans in the back panel of your current cabinet, I suspect that would be OK too. Tube stuff could be very compact back in the day: look at WW2 aircraft radio equipment.
Thanks for the input!
Any exhaust fans on the back?
If you have to ask you already know the answer.
Not enough air flow with only one side open and little headroom above.
You could use quiet computer fans in the back of the cabinet to blow forward if space is an issue.
Cut holes and run some nice usb fans in the back
Excuse me if I interpreted something you said incorrectly, OP, but my understanding here is that you are new to tubes. Do know that they can carry lethal voltages, so no tinkering unless you know what you are doing, and note that these amps should never be turned on unless they have a load (speakers connected). Don’t want to learn either of those the hard way.
I am new to tubes. My dad left me with these and tested them before he passed. I’ve been told recently not to turn them on without anything plugged into them so I haven’t! I did not know about lethal voltages though.. My family friend is an audiophile that knew my dad personally so he will be helping me out before I blow shit up haha.
I would measure some temps with a laser thermometer and go from there. Personally I wouldn’t put those there, tube amps need some breathing room. Electronic component life shortens with increased temperatures. Can they go on top where you can see those beauties better anyway?
I wish I could put them on top but my 65 inch tv is at the perfect height sitting on top of tv stand and there’s no room on both sides (left and right of the tv). :/
Can you hang the tv on the wall to free up the top?
It’ll belong on r/TvTooHigh if I mounted it to give it more space for my amps. currently the center of my tv is 40-42 inches from the middle of the tv to the ground. Mounting it would result it being at the same position.
Give those bad boys the dust removal and polishing they deserve!
They were photos from a while ago but I should’ve cleaned them up before posting. They are much cleaner at this very moment! 🤣
The cleaning and deoxing process is one of my favorite parts about using vintage equipment 😁
No cabinets for any amps, tubes or solid state, in my humble admittedly old school opinion. Maybe some of the tiny class d or chip amps…. Tbh, I don’t like locating any components in cabinets if I can help it, becomes an accessibility issue for me, etc….
I would not do that. Stick a thermometer in there after they run a bit. I imagine that will show you need more airflow.
is that a soundbar
Yes. That’s my Sonos Arc sitting on top of my tv stand. I live in a condo and I don’t have a dedicated room for the sound system.
I have 2 Marantz model 9s in tighter quarters than that, BUT I use a boxer fan behind each one. Large pin tubes like EL34 and KT88 require fans in tight quarters. Little 9 pin tubes not so much.
You could add some small fans in the back of both levels, that would surely solve any issues. I like the placement it’d be a shame not to use it
Nice amps! I would mount a 3 or 4 inch fan in each of those areas to improve airflow.
Not even close… premature death / will cook your gear over time and with two will get as hot as an oven with a long , all day listening session. Fans can offer assistance but never blow air on electronics… pull air away. Tubes are badass and chicks dig them… put em on top of the furniture / display them / they’re a statement piece. Enjoy 🍻😎🌞
Even 10 Wpc of tube power runs pretty hot; I would not recommend it.
A pair of Highwatt guitar amps may warm a house in Arctic Russia
*A pair of Highwatt* *Guitar amps may warm a house* *In Arctic Russia* \- Recent\_Neck6373 --- ^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/) ^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")
It would not be good for your cabinets as well...
If you can provide airflow (vents, maybe even a small ventilator), it's ok. Look up old musicboxes, these ampes were tucked just somewhere...
No. Problems in your future with that placement. If you have to ask, you already know the answer.
It's easy to test, try keeping your hand for 1 minute at the same high of the shelf. Then imagine your shelf doing it for hours.
I wouldn't worry too much to be honest. They can handle some heat pretty well. Nothing will happen to them.
No that's bad. You need a fan in there or better yet move them.
Why keep them hidden, show them off!
not the best; can’t see em! those look really stunning. why not up on top! might get kinda warm if on for long period (guessing)