CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

[170watt]

I am an electronics hobbyist (beginner), who happen to find a defective Pioneer (Elite) VSX 49TX, at a good price. The symptom was no sound, except with the multi-channel inputs. It turned out that the reason for this was a DSP problem, specifically cold solder connection at the socket containing the IC504 on DSP3 ASSY. I re-soldered the socket, and now it works.

To the point. The amp section seems to run pretty hot. I measured the temp on the amp heatsink (radiator), it reaches 62-64 degrees Celsius (~144-147 Fahrenheit). It doesn’t trigger the temp protection shut down though, it runs OK (so far). By design, this specific unit does not have a fan (Canadian version), unfortunately. I am loading the amp with some no fancy Sony 8 ohms speakers (I mean I don’t use low impedance speakers). The temperature seems to be this high almost all the time, irrespective of the volume (but I don’t pump up the volume, anyway, living in a condo). The unit has ample space for ventilation, I measured the temperature with the top cover off. Keep also in mind that the output transistors are Power MOSFETS.

Finally, to my question: is this temperature safe, Should I be concerned about the high temperature or is pretty normal for this (kind of) receiver?; should I add an external fan?