Lets do the math.36vac at the secondaries and 48vdc at the full wave (dual diode) rectifier and the filter cap. It seems I should be getting more like 50vdc from the rectifier,
Well that voltage is fine, I made a three-legged double 1N4008 rectifier just for kicks to check and go the exact same output (48.5vdc).Lets do the math.
36vac X 1.414 = 50.9vdc
minus the diode drop of 1.2vdc = 49.7vdc.
So, you are smack dab in the ballpark.
Honestly. I don't see any issues.

Yes. The amplifier output is capacitor coupled so the 2v doesn't pose any issues.Am I making too much of 2v?
You know I did that with a Sansui 222 that needed it.. this one on the other hand seems to have an excess of grease, the entire mounting face was greasy, as well as the legs of the outputs in the other side. And not at all dry. I know that doesn't necessarily mean that the grease is where we actually want it... But I suspect it is.I couldn't really make out from the pictures, but have you removed the output transistors and re-greased them? I would definitely definitely do this before running it up to any serious power. The reason being, the old heatsink grease dries out, and doesn't transfer the heat away from the output transistors to the heatsink as efficiently as it should.
But doesn't it mean that the waveform is being clipped on one side since 'midpoint' is not really at midpoint?Yes. The amplifier output is capacitor coupled so the 2v doesn't pose any issues.
The asterisk marked R is attached to the underside, the only component to be there, and I believe its value is decided last in assembly based on measurements? Does it directly affect bias?Haven't got my head around how Quasi works.
Looking at the schematic, the midpoint voltage appears to come from R172, R170, Q16be, R178.
I'd be taking a close look at the resistor marked "*" next to D102(SV-03), is this a VR?
Another vote for these amps, had some budget items, SQ-700X, still got a SQ-505X, sound good, can be had for small change (almost)

That is some serious gauge intern wiring

Maybe replace it with a 1k VR preset to 820ohms then give it a nudge and see what happens to you center voltage. If bias is already spot on then forget about it.The asterisk marked R is attached to the underside, the only component to be there, and I believe its value is decided last in assembly based on measurements? Does it directly affect bias?
Bias typically 40-50mA but could be as low as 20-25mA, measure across Q20 emitter resistor (1ohm) wanting to see at least 20mA, if you have an oscilloscope then maybe any crossover distortion will be visible, better to use something like QA403 or similiar for distortion measurement.I didn't even know what bias is supposed be
I'm getting in the range of mid 20s mV across the emitter resistors.Bias typically 40-50mA but could be as low as 20-25mA, measure across Q20 emitter resistor (1ohm) wanting to see at least 20mA, if you have an oscilloscope then maybe any crossover distortion will be visible, better to use something like QA403 or similiar for distortion measurement.


