So now I've had my crack for 5 months . . . .

[Nathan]

And loving it! Only one initial build issue- reheated a few contacts and "crackling" gone. Had no issues with resistance or voltage checks.

Here's what I've done since initial build- really not that much

1- padded down the volume a bit
2- NOS tubes- Mullard and Tung Sol
3- By passed audio caps with Teflon caps

I'm enjoying this so much (using HD 600's with Cardas cable) that 1- I listen via headphones sometimes just because I want to, not because I have to; 2- no desire to implement the Speedball (ie- when it works don't fix it).

Maybe one day I'll pick up and install an Alps Blue Velvet, but then again, the volume control is working splendidly since I soldered in 4 resistors-