I’ve recently purchased a BHK Preamp and the Stellar Phono. Due to limited space, I have always stacked my equipment on top of each other. With the preamp and phono, I have stacked the preamp on top of the phono and it is hot, and I am wondering if it’s a bad idea to stack these particular pieces of equipment on top of each other. They are replacing hybrid solid state/tube equipment, and heat was not an issue with that stack.
I have heard that the pre and phono are normally hot, but I don’t know if stacking them will create problems.
As I recall the SPP has air vents on the top as well as the sides at the rear.
Still, I would think it advantageous to allow both components to optimize heat dissipation as well as possible by separating the two components.
Beyond that, phono equipment tends to be very sensitive to EMI.
Congratulations on acquiring two superb components. Happy listening!
Thanks to everyone who participated and shared their thoughts.
Here is a heat truth table where I measured heat throug the grill on top of the preamp.
Left
Center
Right
Phono Stage Off
98
92
87
Phono Stage On
100
98
88
I don’t know what a few degrees insrease means. The biggest increase is at the center with a 6 degree difference. Right is negledgable, and left is 2 degreese.
We’re having fall weather now with temps in the mid 70’s. In the summer it can get to 95, so who knows what unit temps will be then.
I like what matthewnz-2 had to say as I have read elsewhere that the Stellar Phono Preamp is sensitive to EMI. I’m going to rearrainge my setup to unstack the preamp and phono stage. Temps will be lower, and EMI will be less.
