Newbie Needs Help Choosing A Kit

[SigloOne]

I know there have been many posts regarding this topic, I have read many of them and it just made me more and more confused. So I am appealing to you all for help...

I am looking into building a stereo tube amp kit and I just don't know which way to go. I've seen a bunch of Dynaco ST-35 clones out there but they usually run around $500+ for the kit.

Another one I was looking at was this:

http://www.s5electronics.com/l16stereo.html

$225 for the kit, maybe $100 for a good case, and maybe $100 for the optional preamp and tone controls.

Starts to get close to the Dyna price.

I had considered building from scratch, but I don't really know much at all about tube amps, so I figured a kit is the way to go. I don't really want to do a rebuild as I don't have much experience testing and troubleshooting circuits.

I am trying to get into the hobby at LOW cost. Really, $500 is a lot of cash for me right now.

Any advice?

--Steve

[SigloOne]

Just topping the request

[Eli Duttman]

Any advice?

Yes, look here. It's about 2 WPC; so, efficient speakers are a must. We are trying to bring to whole shebang in at $200. No preamp will be needed, if a CDP is the signal source.