Regarding the flyback diode arrangement...I connected as described in post #3 and thank goodness I was on dbt when I powered up. I admittedly did not verify these connections, but strictly went on the information as stated. Lesson learned.
Post #18 in the thread linked below gives a little more information on this modification.
https://audiokarma.org/forums/index...oration-and-upgrade-of-a-marantz-2270.793805/
Per the attached drawing the diodes should be arranged as follows:
SJ2517: Collector (Cathode) : Emitter (Anode)
SJ2518: Collector (Anode) : Emitter (Cathode)
In my amp:
SJ517 Collector => J760 => Cathode
SJ517 Emitter => J761 => Anode
SJ2518 Collector => J754 => Anode
SJ2518 Emitter => J753 => Cathode
I'm not sure if this is simply a good old fashioned cathode/anode mixup or what, but a word of caution.
Thank you.