PS ditto for the DMP, the DS and the Stellar phono !
You too, @Barsley!
Yes, my P20 is coming next week! I honestly can’t see how much better it can get from the P5, but we will see…!
I upgraded from a P5 to a P20 as well.
You will be amazed 
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Why? Possibly the electrical components may not be operating in the optimal temp range for sound quality but longevity will almost certainly be maximized. If active cooling was not advised I would think the manufacture would also advise against use in say 50F or less.
Do you have any references to support your statement?
The common approach is for the additional fan(s) to draw air out of the unit, not blow air in. Therefore, the fans aid convection, not hinder it. I think @Barsley is referring to fans that blow air into the chassis rather than out.
Perhaps he’ll come back and explain. I have active fans, very slow rpm and <10dB, facing both sinks of BHK 250 and P10. The heatsinks remain cool, ambient temp, instead of warm or hot in some summer temps. The sound is the same either way. I opt for component longevity.
I agree that active cooling that could force dust into a chassis vents is not good. In the case of the PS Audio gear, they are ‘sealed’, so no issue.
I would not use active cooling with tubes unless designed for it as they do need to reach a certain operating range.
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These are useful screens for the P5 and P12. Screens which fit over the cover vents.
I have AC Infinity T8 component fans on each device as well.
Nice! You mean the Aircom T8? I just ordered the front exhaust version. I’m curious how you use the mesh grills? Are they on top of the P20 top vents on each side of the unit?
The mesh grill fit inside the top vents of the P5 and P12. One on each side on the top in the recessed openings. They need to be curled just a touch, but they slide right in. Makes top dusting a bit easier… It covers 90 percent of the open space.
The Aircom T8 Rear Exhaust component smart fan. I have several. Also use an S6 on top of my Headamp GSX-mini.
Hey Brett, stop for a second and ask yourself, “why is it suggested to allow warm-up period before listening?” Bias circuits are sensitive to temperature. The stabilization techniques refer to the use of resistive biasing circuits which … the use of temperature sensitive devices such as diodes, transistors, thermistors are employed. In most receiver/amplifiers in the commercial market, we find them convection cooled, (as opposed to temperature controlled forced air or better said, fan designs) and cabinets use perforated open top designs allowing convection currents to rise from the top of the amplifier. This is why manufacturers time and again tell you it must have adequate clearance for cooling. By introducing a fan on top, blowing air into the amp, designed for convection cooling, you can cool these temperature sensitive devices, placing the amp in an unstable biasing control. If you are lucky enough to have an amp with externally mounted output heat-sink, then low CFM, temperature controlled fan assist across them probably would be your friend if you are truly running into to a thermal issue, but again, we are back to the first question, “why is it suggested to allow warm-up period before listening?”
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No one is suggesting that it’s best to run equipment cold. A warm up period brings the components up from cold. If you want to apply your argument, then fans would help keep the components at that ideal(?) warm up temp.
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All the fans I have seen that sit on top of the chassis draw air out, not into, the chassis. We are not talking about blowing air into the chassis.
The hot air is pulled out of the device, not blown in.
Running 90F is no issue. Running hot to the touch could pose a problem, or reduce equipment longevity.
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It really wouldn’t matter if it was pulled in, pushed in, drawn sideways through, front to back or back to front, upside down or right-side up. I don’t expect everyone here to understand thermal runaway or it’s causes. I’m not new to the audio industry. But thanks for your concerns. Have a great new year.
Just making a factual statement. No need to overheat.
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