When I put my ear (about 2 inches from the top)to my integrated amplifier, I can hear a faint hum from both the transformers. Can't hear anything when I move my ear away from the amp. Is this normal?
It doesn't sound normal to me, at least I have never tried it. The bigger question is "do you often listen this way". If not I wouldn't worry about it.
Yes, it is quite normal. If you cannot hear it unless you are that close, forget about it. On big amps with modern transformers toroidal or iron core, you get humm. Many manufacturers cover transformers to reduce audible hum or soft mount them to do the same. Top quality transformers do not hum.
The question is, does the slight hum have any practical effect. While the best transformers may not hum having one that makes the slight noise yours does does not mean that it is a bad transformer or that performance is necessarily bad. There are components where everything has been selected with cost no object and they are very expensive. Good designers select components that will do a good job at a reasonable price, if you are happy with the performance otherwise don't worry.
Hum is just 60 Hz and 120 Hz vibrations within the transformer. There is probably a subtle effect of these vibrations on the ac wave, but you are right it has little effect. Yes companies frequently buy marginal transformers to assure a price point. You get what you pay for.
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