OK so, good news is that it is now working!!
Looking at the schematic, besides a faulty part, this would only mean a problematic joint in D2 or the MJE5731A.
So.. I reheated them once... and then again with some more solder, and it started working.
I guess I WAS over confident.. and PB hit the nail on the head from the start.
Thanks again... now off to hear some good music!
