Devialet MAX temperature!

[ZincAlloy]

This subject is very relevant to me at the moment!
I find around this time of year - i.e summer - that the sound of my system degrades, and often badly, to the point where I think it is broken. It's been the case before I had my Devialet, when I previously had Linn gear. I've been thinking perhaps it's to do with the drier earth and the electrical earth not working so well, but I can measure earth impedance now and it's not showing any degradation. The problem is worse if I leave gear running, perhaps trying to 'run something in' over a period of several days. It always sounds terrible after being on so long even though the indicated temperature on the Devialet is not getting above about 50C, which is low by the standards of what other people are seeing here. What I find is that by turning the gear off for an hour or so, or even better removing the power cord as well, it immediately sounds good again on turn-on.
What seems to be happening is, despite reasonable indicated temperatures, some part of the amp is suffering with excess heat. I have sufficient space around the amp though it is on a fairly enclosed shelf on my Hutter rack. I order some higher Hutter connectors to give more headroom over the amp. I might even try some cheapo heatsinks on the top of the amp! I guess it doesn't seem to get very good airflow, despite windows being open and the house not exactly sweltering.
When I see pictures of twin Devialet units stacked I wonder if excessive temperature could be a big issue with that arrangement?

Hi Rufus - very interesting. I've been listening to music for the last 3 hours and it all sounds dull and lifeless. No sparkle at all. It's sweltering over here, the amps are running at 44 and 46 degrees, so fairly low in the scheme of things. Ah well, time to apply the beer upgrade and see if thing change ...

ATB, Ken