YAMAHA RX-V2500 PA Problem

[irobot]

Hi All

I hope someone can help with this:

I have a RX-V2500 on the bench with what I believe to be a strange bias problem on the SL channel output stage. DIAG mode displays DC Protect fault.

So here's the scoop -

Upon power up I read about -1.5V on the speaker output, which climbs to about -3.1V volts after about 20 seconds, then of course the DC protect kicks in and shuts it down.

I see this same -1.5V ~ -3.0V on the input to the PA (this is the "VSL" signal). It also too slowly climbs up to about -3.0.

The same voltages (-1.5V ~ -3.5V) show up on both emitters of the complementary transistor pair prior to the finals.

I replaced almost every component in the bias and output stage including the finals and .22Ohm pair. I checked for any possible floating grounds.

I also checked and rechecked components on the preamp/driver board.

The other channels are all fine.

By now I'm pulling my hair out!

Any ideas?

Thanks!