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Post by warrensomebody on Oct 12, 2014 0:01:34 GMT -5
I'm considering buying a Fusion 8100. Looking at the pictures it appears that it contains 3 internal cooling fans. I'm wondering if current owners ever hear these fans. I'm particularly sensitive to it, so it would be good to know before purchasing.
Same question for the UPA-500 amp. Looks like it has 2 fans. (I might keep my current pre/pro and just add an amp.)
Opposite question for the XPA-5. This one has way more power, but doesn't seem to have any fans. If I put it in an enclosed cabinet (without much airflow) will it overheat? Thanks,
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Post by novisnick on Oct 12, 2014 0:15:25 GMT -5
I'm considering buying a Fusion 8100. Looking at the pictures it appears that it contains 3 internal cooling fans. I'm wondering if current owners ever hear these fans. I'm particularly sensitive to it, so it would be good to know before purchasing. Same question for the UPA-500 amp. Looks like it has 2 fans. (I might keep my current pre/pro and just add an amp.) Opposite question for the XPA-5. This one has way more power, but doesn't seem to have any fans. If I put it in an enclosed cabinet (without much airflow) will it overheat? Thanks, Hi, can't help you with the first two questions but I own the XPA-5, as with any piece of gear plugged into the wall, I don't think you should ever suffocate it. Not having any air flow can not be good for anything. Ps, love your tag name edit: welcome to the forum, we love everyone that stops by, and especially those that hang around and get to know us. |
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Post by Dark Ranger on Oct 12, 2014 1:06:50 GMT -5
Hi warrensomebody, I just received a new Fusion 8100 on Thursday evening. However, I've been swamped with work so I haven't given it a serious workout with music or movies. That being said, I've previously owned a UPA-700, UPA-500, and a mini-X. All three of these amps use internal fans and forced-air cooling. Honestly, the fan noise was completely drowned by the music at that point, and I'm talking about LOUD music. I cannot recall ever hearing the fans kick on at normal listening levels. Of course, you might hear the fans during the silence between album tracks. The fan noise is not too bad considering the size and rpm (smaller fans have to spin faster to push the same amount of air as larger, slower fans). You've gotta push the amp quite a bit before they will kick on. If I can get the Fusion fans to spin up (I may have to wear ear plugs during this test  ), I'll take some acoustic measurements with my SPL meter to give you ballpark figures. |
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Post by warrensomebody on Oct 12, 2014 13:01:59 GMT -5
Hi novisnick - Seems like a great forum! Good advice on the XPA-5. I guess I'm really wondering which way to go - new receiver, or old pre/pro and new amp - and whether I'll get into trouble with either of them if I park them inside an armoire.
Dark Ranger - If you really have to blast things to get the fans to come on, that's good news. I can't say I blast anything these days - just normal listening levels.
I should have mentioned before that I used to have a Lexicon LX-5 amp, which was a nice piece of gear, but the fans ran constantly! Even with it sitting out in the open, completely unenclosed, I could hear the fans from 20 ft away. I made it about 6 months with that one before saying enough is enough.
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Post by Dark Ranger on Oct 12, 2014 13:23:40 GMT -5
I can assure you that the fans do not run continually. They turn on when the amplifier reaches specified thermal levels and turn off when below this point.
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Post by TempTag on Oct 12, 2014 14:51:27 GMT -5
Hello, I have the Fusion and previously used the Sherbourn SR-8100. (Both seem to have similar internals.) I have yet to hear any fan noise, or even notice a fan running, with either unit.
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Post by Dark Ranger on Oct 12, 2014 19:20:12 GMT -5
OK, I've got some data for you. My setup is a bit different than yours, so let me take a moment to explain. I'm running only my four surrounds and Zone 2 from the Fusion (LCR speakers are powered by three XPA-1L monoblocks via the LCR pre-out channels on the Fusion). To push the Fusion AVR a bit more during this test, I reconfigured the four surround speakers ( 87dB @ 1 watt/ 1 meter and 74Hz-22kHz +/- 3dB anechoic) to run full-range from the Fusion. No sub for this test. I then used JRiver's "clone" functionality to send the full-range stereo signal split out to the four surround speakers. For music, I selected Protoculture's 8-minute original mix of "Sun Gone Down" chosen for it's strong low-frequency content, extended frequency range, high average loudness (around -1 dB), and limited dynamic range (around 4.7 dB). Once the music started, I turned up the Fusion's volume control to 55.0 for the duration of the track, and then immediately turned it down during the gradual lead-out so I could record the fan noise. For my selected track, and at 55.0 on the volume control, average SPL was about 104 dBC at the main listening position. For reference, my normal average listening levels are 60-80 dBC. The Fusion wasn't running out of steam, but I was starting to think about ear plugs had it gone on for much longer.  Conditions before demo trackAmbient temperature: 78 F Ambient noise - measured 1 foot from the Fusion's front panel: 35 dBA - measured directly on top of the Fusion chassis: 35 dBAConditions after demo trackAmbient temperature: 78 F Ambient noise - measured 1 foot from the Fusion's front panel: 36.5 dBA - measured directly on top of the Fusion chassis: 44.5 dBAThe main listening position is about 6 feet away from the Fusion. The fans were audible from there, but only during the silence at the end of the track. It was only 1-2 minutes after I stopped the music that the fans began to slow down (and quiet down), proof that the heatsinks and output devices were cooling off. I have two computers to build tonight, so I plan to listen to more music during that time. I'll keep the same setup, run my tunes at a comfortable level, and monitor the Fusion to see if the fans ever kick on. I'm highly doubtful they will, but will report back either way. |
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Post by Dark Ranger on Oct 13, 2014 2:32:40 GMT -5
Just a quick update. I have been unsuccessful with getting the fans to spin up at "normal" listening volumes.  |
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Post by warrensomebody on Oct 13, 2014 2:45:09 GMT -5
Dark Ranger - Wow. Thank you so much for this detailed information. One question though - You say that before your test the ambient noise measured at the Fusion's front panel was 35 dBA. This must be coming from some other equipment since the fan is off at this point, right? Great to know that the fans don't come on at normal listening volumes.
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Post by Dark Ranger on Oct 13, 2014 3:19:17 GMT -5
Good question. Yes, the 35 dBA ambient level was generated from my nearby gaming PC equipped with 9 fans.  I also live about 100 feet from the Interstate, so it's never completely quiet. |
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), I'll take some acoustic measurements with my SPL meter to give you ballpark figures.
