Silpads versus Cooling paste on MS2250

Post by **joerg** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 10:29 am

What do you guy´s use? Is it better to always use the cooling paste and just skip the silpads or can i use just the silpads for the MS2250?

scottn29 · Post by **scottn29** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 10:47 am

Didnt they come with the pads? I hate paste, not that it doesnt work but when I look inside the amp, especially on something like the MS amps, I dont want to see abouch of white paste.

But as far as which conducts heat better I have no clue. I was prob no help here

Post by **stipud** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 11:11 am

I've always used pads without paste. I wouldn't recommend using paste on its own unless the sink is anodized or electically insulated somehow.

freshkryp69 · Post by **freshkryp69** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 11:59 am

you can use very thin Mica pads with thermal compound..Artic Silver makes what most consider to be the best thermal compound. I used this with all my zpa's, nt's,etc. and never a prob.

You dont have to go over board with the stuff,when you apply and then mount the trannys it will squeeze out the excess just use a q-tip to wipe off the extras around it and it will look nice and tidy. It does not run or turn to anykind of liquid or dry out and will stay put forever..

Post by **ttocs** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 12:49 pm

if you use the cream right you will not see any of it. In mass manf they tend to just slap it on and call it a day but as he said a follow up with a q-tip would leave no evidence.

Post by **Eric D** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 1:26 pm

If your amp had silpads, you have to stick with them. Otherwise you would need to desolder each and every transistor and put it back. The silpads have enough thickness difference if you take them away from a silpad amp, you put a ton of stress on the transistors and the board.

Don't use paste with silpads. That is just messy, and defeats the point of the clean silpads.

If you use just paste, you HAVE to have an insulated heatsink. If you don't, the amp will instantly blow up when you turn it on.

KUB3 · Post by **KUB3** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 2:43 pm

I have some spare black insulating strips that came with my "revision I" 275's. I was thinking about using these when I reassemble them, in conjunction with sil pads (no paste)

I can see why companies might not use sil pads though. It took me ages to cut them all to exact size!

SolacE · Post by **SolacE** » Thu Jan 21, 2010 5:00 pm

they also make a insulating tape. its kinda pricey though. Lunar uses it in their amps and sent me a small roll to use when I redo my amps.