Soldering can be learned. Just do a search on ‘soldering tutorial’ in Google, there are dozens. All of them are good.

Trying to figure out what you want can put you into analysis paralysis. Pick something; get the parts, and do it. If you have a good digital camera, you can always take pictures where you are stuck and ask here or at www.diytube.com or a dozen other places. Most of the guys I’ve met online are friendly and helpful. More importantly, even if the amp is a failure, the most important and expensive parts are reusable in other designs. Most of us have a nice stash of parts lying around from other projects which will come in handy.

Soldering irons: I REALLY like wireless. I have both a butane and rechargeable. Love them both, although I use the rechargeable more often lately.

Boutique parts: Whatever. Don’t bother yet. Just get started. Yes. Some of the really expensive parts are really worth it. But, until you understand the sound of a base level amp, you have no basis for comparison. There are some boutique parts I swear by, but my opinion of what sounds good can be worthless if we listen to different kinds of music or our hearing is different.

Getting started: you can get your feet wet cheap by building interconnects or speaker wire. There are lots of interesting recipes out there. You get a bang for the buck and practice soldiering.

Also, there are kits out there for various things. Cheap. Low voltage regulated power supplies, etc. Again, you get practice without screwing up anything expensive. And they come in useful. I actually use a standard, regulated powersupply board for by tube preamp valve heaters.

Also take Steve's advice seriously. He has, I believe, more experience then me.

Welcome to the club. Once you have been seduced by the smell of melting solder, you'll never be the same. You have been warned.