Audio Research VS110 Middle transformer gets very hot the 2 sides not so is this normal

$10 infrared sensing handheld electronic thermometer.

Point it at the transformer, on different areas of the transformer, and you’ll get a reading.

From this you can guess the transformer core temperature, as you are measuring it’s surface temp (which will be different). The numbers measured will be all over the place but will have an average.

This will tell you all you need to know, in order to get the answer you seem to be asking for.

I was told a long time ago that if the power transformer gets hot but the other transformers remain cool then it's a good tube amp design.

That can be sort of true, yes.
But peace of mind is only a $10 electronic infrared thermometer away...

I expect to hear back a number of 50C or thereabouts. Not the exact correct number, as there never really is one - but simply a range, depending on the design.

Thanks to all above I certainly will consider  all advice 

I have another question if you don’t mind as I am new to tubs 
the right speaker is louder than the left ( not by a crazy amount) but currently there nevertheless 
would this be an amp issue - prep amp issue  or speaker issue 

I will switch the right & left speakers to see if it a speaker issue 
but how would you distinguish between the amp & pre amp 
 
 

molocka12

the right speaker is louder than the left ( not by a crazy amount) but currently there nevertheless
would this be an amp issue - prep amp issue  or speaker issue
I will switch the right & left speakers to see if it a speaker issue
but how would you distinguish between the amp & pre amp

You can use the same technique. Take the preamp outputs and reverse the left and right into the amplifier inputs. If the right speaker remains louder than the left, you'll know the problem isn't with the preamplifier.