Need Help! My Class A Amp Is Running Very Hot

I replaced my Mc integrated with a Lux 590AX about a year ago. Wanted to try Class A. My equipment had always been in cabinets. That did not work with the Luxman. Even though the cabinets were pretty well ventilated the Luxman ran so hot that it would shut down after about an hour. So, I moved it to the cabinet top where it has lots of fresh air and I’ve had no further issues. Great sound and good looking unit with all the retro knobs but it needs LOTS of breathing space as it definitely runs hot. Maybe all Class A units do but this seems excessively hot to me.

You can check this with an inexpensive watt meter:

https://amzn.to/2nhr6Iv


Set it to watts and compare to your spec.
And yeah, class A gets very hot.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R4W5DS7/ref=sspa_dk_detail_6?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B07R4W5DS7&pd_rd_w=G...=

Get one of these - a properly designed Class amp should not run any hotter than 50 to 55 Degrees C  

Good Listening

Peter

This is a funny amp, @pbnaudio


Look at the power rating, and look at the idle/max wattage.
Tell me what they say to you. :)

I've had Class A amps for years so to me what you're describing sounds normal. Looking at a picture of the inside of the 590, each of those massive heat sinks is for only four power transistors. That tells me the designers expected all that heat.