A metal object, usually a row of thin metal fins, designed to dissipate heat away from electronic equipment. Heat sinks are used most often and most visibly on amplifiers to help cool the electronic components producing the musical power. These components get hot over time and must be cooled in some way, and the most common cooling method is the heat sink.etal is an excellent heat conductor (the reason it is used for pots and pans). When attached to a hot electronic component, the metal will conduct the heat away from the component into itself. A heat sink features a large amount of metal so the heat is distributed over a large area. The heat sink is designed to feature a large surface area that is in contact with the surrounding air. As heat is transferred into the metal, it goes across the heat sink and contacts air molecules along its surface. The air pulls heat from the metal and cools the metal so heat is transferred from the electronic component to the heat sink and finally into the air. Some electronic components use a fan to blow cool air over the heat sink in order to facilitate the dissipation of heat.ost electronic components have some form of heat sink be it a traditional heat sink with fins, such as on many amplifiers, or some other item (the case of the component itself is often used as a pseudo heat sink – touch the case of an amplifier or receiver after it has been running for awhile and see for yourself).