I just finished building an in-wall cabinet to house my equipment. As the other side of the wall is inside our attic, I was able to pretty much do what I wanted in terms of design... which includes the ventilation.

I built into the top of the cabinet a six inch duct for a 70 CFM bath exhaust fan which was mounted about six feet away. My question is if it's possible to have too much ventilation for this cabinet? The reason I ask is because I have the fan switched to turn on with the receiver, thus being constantly on. It's not a big power hog so this isn't a concern. Or should I consider purchasing a varible fan controller? So far the temperature is non-existant when the amp is driven hard... along with any fan noise... which I especially enjoy... I'm just curious if I over-killed it in any way.

Denon AVR-3806
Denon DVD-2910
DirecTV HR20-700

Here's some photos... some work still to do with the cabinet... insulation, painting and such.

http://www.sky-decks.com/misc/HT1.jpg

http://www.sky-decks.com/misc/HT2.jpg

http://www.sky-decks.com/misc/HT3.jpg

http://www.sky-decks.com/misc/HT4.jpg

I've never heard of "too much ventilation" as far as cooling A/V components goes.
The only issue I can think of would be noise generated by continuous fan operation.

An exhaust fan pulls air out of the house and it needs to come from somewhere so in the summer you are pulling in hot humid air and in the winter cold air. Bringing an excessive amount of either means your HVAC has to work a little harder to keep the rest of the house comfortable.

I have a bathroom exhaust fan as well for my equipment but I have it controlled by a $20 line voltage attic fan thermostat so I only use as much as I need to keep the equipment from overheating.

Another solution is to send the hot air somewhere else in the house and that would reduce the amount of external air that gets sucked in.

...The only issue I can think of would be noise generated by continuous fan operation.

Noise is non-existent... even with the air movement... very subtle. The fan is one of those Broan "Ultra-Quiet" bath fans and it's mounted away from the equipment cabinet. I can't even tell the difference between off and on.

Another solution is to send the hot air somewhere else in the house and that would reduce the amount of external air that gets sucked in.

That's a great idea and one I'd not thought about. I was thinking I'd purchase one of those spendy Middle Atlantic fan controllers, but I like your thermostat idea as well.

That's a great idea and one I'd not thought about.

If I had to pick a spot I'd put it adjacent to a return duct. That way hot air in the summer gets routed right back to the AC.

I think I remember someone actually connected it to the return duct. Not certain if that is acceptable or logical.

...I'd put it adjacent to a return duct. That way hot air in the summer gets routed right back to the AC.

Another great idea Bigs... I notice you're full of them... so I checked out your build and I gotta say...

One day, when my modest little theater room grows up, it wants to be just like yours! But alas, it can never be, because I don't have the space for a full kitchen up in that bonus room... no worries though... the kitchen is just down the stairs and to the left. I'll get around to dressing up the walls a bit at a later date. Right now... and my pictures don't do the room justice at all... it looks pretty cool. People come over and they seem to be drawn up the stairs like iron to a magnet! Football parties are the best...

Thanks BigMouth... you have a beautiful theater room/area...