TLB,
I went through a HUGE phase of concern with Power Transformer Temps. Like you, I started with issues with some of my builds of the DG-SE1 circuits where the PT would get so hot my hand felt like it was being burned if I held it atop the the PT cover. In fact, it actually might have been!! However, after some research, I came up with some very interesting and somewhat 'relieving' information. First, consider that the temp of most Hot Water heaters is probably somewhere between 120 and 140 degrees. If on the high side, then when running full hot and well warmed up, if you stick your hand under there, it would probably feel like it was being stuck in boiling water. So, the first thing to realize here is: Your hand is not a thermometer!!! That said, the first thing to do is to find yourself something that is!! In my case, I did a couple of things; first, I'd purchased a couple of different multi-meters both of which had 'contact' thermometers built into them. So, I used a 'quarter' (yes, 1/4th of $1) and used it as a 'backing.....and then used some masking tape and 'taped' the contact elements to the side of the transformer with the quarter holding the back side. I did it this way so the quarter would heat up to the same temp as the transformer and assure I got a good thermo-contact and 'accurate' reading. The other thing I did was went out to Harbor Freight and purchase a small 'infra-red' contactless thermometer. I think that was all of about $15. And, this has come in handy for other things now as well. But, it worked well to 'supplement' my readings from the contact units. By the way, I put one thermo-sensor on the top of the PT, and the other on the side against the lamination stack. They averaged about 5 to 6 degrees difference with the top actually showing the hottest temp on average.
Next, I did some actual investigating as to just what the actual operating temp of a power transformer was 'supposed' to be. As it turned out, an 'average' PT when running at 150 degrees, which will seem BURNING hot to the palm of your hand....that's actually a rather cool state for the average power transformer. Most manufacturers I checked indicated that about 160 to 170 was 'normal' if not still on the cooler side. In looking at some of Hammond's spec sheet publications, they indicated that a 'normal' transformer temperature operation is appx 65 degrees (C) above ambient. So, if ambient temp in Fahrenheit is 70 or so, and this converts to 21 degrees Centigrade, and you can run at 65 degrees (C) ABOVE ambient, that means that when reaching operating temp in a 70 degree room, the transformer itself can be at 85 (C) or about 185 Celsius. And.....that's 'NORMAL'!!!
When you touch a transformer that seems warm......it's really just starting to get warm. When it seems 'hot'.....it's usually 'just' starting to get hot. When it seems too hot, it's probably at it's design spec for 24 hour operation at it's load capacity. But, NONE of this can be verified by simply 'touching' the PT. You've GOT to MEASURE it!! In the end, I found that when running Dave's circuit at the design level spec of about 100ma on the HV side, even when using the Hammond 270EX PT...which is rated for 144ma HV Rectified.....even that felt hot to my hand. But, on the infra red unit and with the contact thermometers......it was running a very 'cool' (from a manufacturer's standpoint) 155 to 160. So..... the only thing left to mention here is that the amp unit you have here in all likelihood was from a 'record player only' unit.....as I believe that was the amp that had the chassis with both amp section and 'controls' section. The other units had the amp isolated from the tuner/pre-amp. But, the record player amps that I've seen generally have a smaller power transformer, vs the Tuner console models where the PT stands about 1/2 to 3/4" taller. According to Mr. Gillespie, with the record player unit, when running his circuit, the PT is about 'tapped out' from it's current capacity level. Perhaps there's a bit more in the tuner model. But, Dave's circuit also pulls more current as it 'ups' the bias on the output tubes from what I recall as being about 38 to 40 ma on a 'stock' unit......to nearly 50 ma using Dave's circuit. So, with your amp 'not' being revised to Mr. Gillespie's changes, while your PT may seem 'hot' to you.....it should still be well within it's operating design limits. I suggest you measure it after being 'on' and playing music for about 4 to 5 hours.....and I'll bet it's not over 180 degrees. And, if not......then you're fine!!
For what it's worth.................... Tom D.