OK thanks Ray, that one is now checked off the debug list.
Next I recommend you separate the protection circuit from the main amplifier section FOR THE RIGHT CHANNEL ONLY since that is the one acting up. It is easy to do. With power off and bulk caps drained, locate diodes D9R and D10R. The are horizontally placed right above transistors Q6R and Q9R. Carefully heat up and lift the (most accessible) end of each of these 2 diodes. This will disable the SOA protection circuit.
After doing this, run the same test that you have been with the variac and report results.