Ok, I think I read every page here re. heating except page 1, which IIRC had little to no answers.
Here's my analysis, based on the thread including comments from his Highness, Lordship Putzeys.
1. The hottest running component is the PS cap(s).
2. The lower the speaker's impedance and the more difficult is its phase angle, the lower the sensitivity, the larger the room, the louder the SPL, the farther the speaker to listener distance, and the deeper the bass program, the hotter will run the amp.
3.Venting is not required. If none, per Bruno, after ten years (earth years, I'm a Trekkie) continuous use, the PS caps might change value. Not necessarily affecting performance, but they could change value. Jason the Ncore moderator here built his Ncore in the same chassis in the same layout (but inverted speaker/XLR input positions, irrelevant to heat) is satisfied that he will not add venting.
I plan to shortly publish here a DIY speaker array with superb audio results. The array decreases floor real estate behind the speakers, making my first choice to lay the Ncore amps face down, rear panel up. This results in the PS cap heat traveling straight up and over the amp module, what appears to be the worst case scenario. If space allows I may lay the base plate down in its normal position.
Either way, I do plan to add venting myself. I will screw one amp together and check floor real estate. Depending on Ncore physical orientation, I plan to add 3-5mm of spacers on the screws (may require longer screws) to elevate whatever panels end up on the base and the top.
Unfortunately, all the heat/venting info appeared during our wait in China, so it wasn't available till very recently.
Again, I am convinced that venting is optional, not required, and as of now I will add some venting.
I'm making three amps for me and three for a buddy who is a Marine Aviator. We talked about the heating issue at length because we both would like to increase the chances of getting a good 15-20 years trouble free use out of our amps.
Sight unseen and sound unheard, I'm convinced as of this minute that I won't be upgrading any time soon. Time will tell.
