I hear you...but Batman and mains_hum are raving about it (SOHA), saying it challenges the Cavalli Jones (which I've built, and it most definitely does not suck) for performance, and that was about a $200 scratch build amp. At some point, I'll be building a SOHA. I can say that the CL MkII...

At headwize there's a terrific tube amp called the Cavalli Lovell MkII. I've built one, and it's just amazing. The same design team, plus third party, recently designed and built a cheap (<$50) tube hybrid that they're very excited about. I have not heard it or built one, but from what I...

Two other options: the Cavalli Lovell MkII and the CLP SOHA. The MkII is pricier, but amazing. Check out headwize for details.

Finished the cable last night. Turns out I ordered the wrong mini XLR for a cable the size of the Mogami, so I just cut off the strain relief and drilled out the ramianing part of the chuck to fit the cable. For strain relief, I'll wrap the chuck and cable with electrical tape and finish with...

I'd love to take more credit, but alas, I've just a humble DIYer who who only knows enough to be dangerous. runeight and mains_hum are the C and L of the CL, and while Batman didn't get a letter credit, his contributions were significant. Glad to hear you're going to build one. All I can say...

There's a great new lower voltage, simple hybrid tube design over at Headwize called the SOHA. Designed and built by friends of mine who say, at under $50, it's a giant killer. If you're up for a big time tube amp, several of us have built the CL Mk II (also found at Headwize). This is an...

I don't have the mini XLR yet, but I do have the cable and the jack, which I soldered last night. Thanks for the heads up on the mini XLR. I'm sure I'll figure out a way to make it all fit, even if I have to punt.

I'm building a cable for my AKG K271's. Using Mogami Neglex 2534 quad cable, so there are four wires and an exterior shield. As far as the jack end goes, am I correct in assuming I'd use two of wires for tip, two for ring, and then ground the shield to the jack shell? And on the mini XLR...

Second the Seduction. Incredible sound for not a lot of money, plus tons of online support from the Bottlehead forum community.

I use a mini solder pot, and it is a Godsend, particularly with varnish-coated magnet wire.