I just ordered the 7100/950 combo & it should be hear on fri! I've been told that a power amp should be turned on amd left on all the time, that heating up and cooling down from on/off use is more harmfull than leaving it on all the time, I do this with my sub now (on all the time)is this right or am I missinformed?? Also fan blowing on or away to cool??

thanks Kris

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I suspect that the majority of the 7100's (and 200's, 770's, 755's, and 750's) in use are switched. I have heard similar start-up and shut-down comments, mainly regarding tube gear (thoughts from the toob guys? Soundhound?). Solid state amps may want a little warm-up time before you do any critical listening, but aside from that I wouldn't see a reason not to turn them off when they are not in use. As for cooling, it would probably be preferable to provide enough clearance to avoid needing a fan at all -- eliminate the noise. A cabinet that is open in the front (or better yet, open front and back) and a few inches clear above it should keep the 7100 happy.

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gonk -- Saloon Links | Pre/Pro Comparison Chart | 950 Review

Hi Kdbb007
I have my 950 and 7100 in a four foot tall 19 in rack mount system. The 950 is at the top and is mounted in a Middle Atlantic custom rack mount that provides about three inches of clearance between the top of the 950 and the top of the rack system. The 7100 is mounted on a 3 unit vented rack shelf with two thermostatically controlled 120mm fans underneath. The fans rarely come on when operating in the two channel mode, but cycle frequently during seven channel operation. The fans are fairly quiet (they are variable speed) and are not noticed during a movie. As for the 950, it tended to get fairly warm even with the three inches of clearance above it. So I installed a set of three 40mm fans in the back of the cabinet above the 950. They are thermostatically set to come on around 75 degrees and will stay on for a while even when the 950 has been turned off after viewing a movie. Cool operating equipment will last longer without developing thermally induced problems. As for operation of the 7100, I have it set up to switch on when the 950 turns on my Monster HT2500 power conditioner. I am using a 12vdc wall wart off of the HT2500 to trip the 12volt trigger on the 7100. I am presently using a Tripplite 1200watt line regulator/conditioner for the 950/7100 off of a 15 amp circuit. My Sony widescreen monitor is also on the same circuit, but I have yet to pop the breaker while playing a movie. My PSB Subsonic 6 subwoofer is on a separate circuit. I am presently setting up a Buttkicker system with their new 1110watt/4 ohm class D switching amp which I will power off of a 30amp single phase spare service that I have in my garage that is behind the living room/home theater.
Regards,
TCIII

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[This message has been edited by TCIII (edited September 11, 2003).]

thanks for the info guys. I'll need to make some ventalation holes in my cabnet it is only open in the back (I have dogs, they love to lick every thing that is shiney)I will more thatn likly open the side more and put in fans on the top and bottem If I get fans from parts express how do I wire them to run off an outlet and how do I wire in a thermastat, anyone got a diagram??

thanks for the help outlaws
-kris

check out my system:
http://ubb.outlawaudio.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/000291.html

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Homer Simpson is a man we can all lookup to!!!
W.W.H.D.