Need Help! My Class A Amp Is Running Very Hot

The L-590AX is spec’d as consuming 220 watts at idle (310 watts max). The L-590AXII is spec’d as consuming 260 watts at idle (330 watts max). Both models weigh about 63 pounds. The amp’s heatsinks are entirely enclosed within its metal cabinet, and are immediately adjacent to the side-panels, as can be seen here: 

http://www.luxman.com/asset/product/L-590AXII/gb4.jpg 

So the escape route for the heat corresponding to those power consumption numbers is almost entirely via the vents on the top, supplemented to a small extent by radiation through the side panels.

Given all of that it seems to me to be very possible that what you have described is normal, but it’s hard to say for sure. Perhaps another owner of one of these models will chime in.

@three_easy_payments, I believe the OP’s reference to "cabinet" pertained to the metal enclosure of the amp itself.

Regards,
-- Al

Hi there, the cabinet on the top temperature is 28C which I think is just a little warm but acceptable but when I put my hand on top of the plastic vents (over the heat shrinks) it is extremely hot, way over my thermometer maximum temperature of 50C 

what kind of speaker cables are you using?  I about roasted a Classe CA200 20 years ago using Goertz spkr cables.....caused the amp to oscillate and overheat....can't remember what the tech explanation sorry 

the cabinet on the top temperature is 28C which I think is just a little warm but acceptable but when I put my hand on top of the plastic vents (over the heat shrinks) it is extremely hot, way over my thermometer maximum temperature of 50C

To add perspective, my Pass XA25 amp operates in class A and consumes an amount of power (240 watts at idle) that is very similar to yours. The XA25 is stated to be designed such that after it warms up to a stable temperature its heatsinks will be about 25 degrees C higher than the temperature of the room. (Elizabeth makes a good point about the significance of room temperature, btw. Each degree of difference in room temperature will make the same difference in the temperature the amp stabilizes at, following warmup).

So under typical room temperature conditions the heatsinks on my amp will approach 50 degrees C. Very significantly, however, in contrast to yours the heatsinks on my amp are on the outside of its cabinet:

https://www.passlabs.com/amplifier/xa25#lg=1&slide=8

The heatsinks on my amp also appear to have much greater total surface area from which to radiate the heat than the heatsinks that are inside of your amp.

So, again, it seems to me to be very possible that what you have described is normal, although I am not in a position to be certain about that.

Regards,
-- Al

If you just bought the amp and are that worried, perhaps Class A isn't for you.  In that case, I would return the amp and buy the Class AB version instead.