Seems like Pete Millett used some James' in one of his amps. I know I've seen them in some amp designs somewhere. I'll check them out, though I'll probably just start with something inexpensive like the Hammond 125ESE's to get a feel for building, then I can always upgrade the OPT's to better ones if the amp design is promising.

I have the original Homegrown silver coated copper braid unshielded which are a little bright. I've built Kevin Haskins version of the Risch Belden co-ax cross connect which were just OK. I see on his site that he has finished cross connect with Cardas Litz wire for $85. The only truly outstanding cable I have experience with is the 1985 vintage Straightwire I use from phono to pre-amp. It's thin and shielded so must be a small gauge and the RCA looks like all of that era, i.e. no gold, no silver no locking or other doo-dads.

Now if you want to talk speaker cable............

• Cross connect

Norbert, here is a picture of what I have to work with. They are in a corner so to speak, but then there is an opening, then a wall to the right where the stereo rack is. Same situation from the left.

I've spent a lot of time with my Polks getting them placed just right so I know how important placement can be. You just wouldn't think it would make the HUGE improvement that it did.

I've never veneered, but I've finished many, many wood projects from homemade Cherokee style bows, to furniture, to wood carvings. So I'm not worried about that. Just the actual application of veneer is a little troublesome, but it will turn out fine I'm sure.