Defining "Ample Ventilation"

[rsharp]

Before I update my receiver, I want to be sure I won't end up cooking the thing.

I currently have a BDI Mirage 8227 cabinet which my wife & I really like. In the attached image here, I'm showing the right-hand side where I have our receiver (Pioneer Elite SC-91; class-D amp; power consumption 290 W).

Prior to this receiver, we had a Pioneer Elite VSX-23THZ (power consumption 400 W). Though I had an additional shelf in the right-hand side and thus the top of the receiver was only about 2 inches from the top of the cabinet. Also had the paritially vented back installed. Definitely a bad move on my part. The receiver cooked itself after 6 years. Lucky it lasted that long.

While the SC-91 runs quite cool, I still wanted to ensure it had ample space. So now only include the receiver in the right-hand side and no longer include the partially vented back.

The strongest contenders for the new receiver are (all wattage values are the rated power consumption):

• Marantz Cinema 40 (710 W)
• Marantz SR8015 (780 W)
• Marantz SR7015 (710 W)
• Marantz MM77055 (660 W) (would pair this with the AV7706)
• Pioneer Elite VSX-LX505 (850 W) (sadly, seems that Pioneer is no longer going with Class-D amps).

As pictured, there is currently 7 1/4 inches of space above the receiver to the top of the cabinet. I do not install the vented back of the cabinet (front door always closed). There is 14 1/2 inches from the back of the receiver to the back wall.

I've searched the forums for info on ventillation, but only see mentions of "be sure to have ample ventilation". Is there anything more quantifiable? General rules of thumb? With my measurements above, would that be ample for AVs having power consumption in the 600 to 800 W range? Should I look at budgeting fans? Thank you.

 

[everettT]

I would add a fan to the top just to be safe, not knowing the layout of each AVR, it's the safest and a cheap piece of insurance. You have plenty of room above, but some AVRs have vents on the side as well (several Pioneer units had them) and you want to draw the air up and away efficiently. I have fans on the front and back of my racks and the inside temp never gets above 82F degrees.

 

[Swerd]

From your photo, it looks like your AVR will be alright. Both front and back of the cabinet are open. If you have a glass door in front, keep it open, as long as you have it on. The important thing is to allow hot air an easy way to escape from the cabinet – don't trap hot air.

If that isn't enough, for $20 you can buy some added peace of mind with this:
AC Infinity MULTIFAN S7, Quiet Dual 120mm USB Fan

 

[rsharp]

We would like to keep the door closed though, so I'll look into installing some fans. Thank you!

 

[ryanosaur]

Sound United receivers specify in the owner manuals that I’ve seen a minimum distance on all sides and above. That photo is definitely tight on the sides.
While I wouldn’t necessarily expect s problem from that, my own interaction with SU authorized tech/service crew would leave me to believe that if they saw a photo of one of their AVRs in a cabinet like that they may void warranty based on that. Especially if any heat faults had been registered in the system.

That aside, I would never run my machine with closed doors, even if the back and top is open. I do use an AC Infinity T10 fan on mine. You should look at the rear venting option (T8 or similar).

 

[rsharp]

Yea, that makes sense. I guess I can also look at just putting the reciever on its own say amplifier stand to the right of the cabinet (we do have the space). Then would be open on all sides. Now just have to get that idea past the wife

 

[lovinthehd]

As far as your power consumption assumptions go....try this https://www.audioholics.com/audio-amplifier/receiver-back-panel-power-ratings

In tighter spaces fans may be necessary, and where you use your avr would be a place I'd add fans to....

 

[highfigh]

The owner's manual should show something about clearance on all sides, but the AC Infinity would remove any problems with heat, assuming it never stops working properly. I use vented rack shelves, always.

 

[ryanosaur]

Back home now and off my phone... I know I have seen a diagram of how much space an AVR should have, but of course cannot find it.
I did find this from Denon:

Although there's no definitive specification, we recommend a minimum of 6 inches of ventilation space above and 2 inches on either side of the AVR. This will reduce the risk of the unit overheating and tripping the internal protection circuit when playing at a high volume output level.
For added protection, you may also incorporate the use of an external cooling fan module to exhaust heat away from the top of the unit. Unless it's a cooling fan module, you never want to place anything on top of the AVR as that will block the top vents and cause the unit to overheat internally. This may cause damage to the AVR and shorten its lifespan.

AVR - General Info - Ventilation Recommendation

support.denon.com

 

[snakeeyes]

Just don’t be like me and forget to connect the fans because fans sitting directly on top but not running will create the opposite of cooling. LOL

 

[rsharp]

Just don’t be like me and forget to connect the fans because fans sitting directly on top but not running will create the opposite of cooling. LOL

Great point!

 

[highfigh]

Back home now and off my phone... I know I have seen a diagram of how much space an AVR should have, but of course cannot find it.
I did find this from Denon:

AVR - General Info - Ventilation Recommendation

support.denon.com

Some companies have documents with thermal dissipation info, like the models in the link- this is used in engineering calculations for cooling an equipment closet so everything can operate normally and the HVAC can be addressed properly. Most consumer AV brands would make people ask for it, but I would bet they have it.

The definition of 'adequate ventilation' would be something similar to "allowing the equipment to operate within its normal range without overheating". That's a simple way of saying "Don't crowd it and if you must, pull the hot air out and replace it with cooler air, either continuously or intermittently, in a way that the temperature doesn't vary more than X%".

Some brands recommend 8' of space over an AVR, but that's not always practical, or possible. If this is the case, an AC Infinity product or something similar is recommended.

https://www.crownaudio.com/en/site_elements/i-tech-hd-2-channel-power-draw-thermal-dissipation