What's the greatest bargain in SET these days?

Good choice. Sounds like a fun project ahead!

I built many a kit as a kid. Its the best way to truly understand how things work and a little education always goes a long way.

Hi Rebbi,
Congratulations on your choice. A few months ago, I took delivery of a 10th Anniversary Kit One which I elected to have assembled by Digital Pete, who is officially sanctioned by ANK.
I think that you will be very happy. I have followed this thread off and on, but have been busy the last few days and missed some details. I see that you said upgraded capacitors...what brand would that be? I know Brian suggested Vcaps to me, but I went with recommendations from Charles and others here, and sent him 4 Jupiter Copper caps. Four of them cost about $260.
I also suggest that if it fits into your budget, you might upgrade the passive volume attenuator from the Alps model to the Khozmo, which they have available. It makes a difference.
I do not pretend to know much of anything about tubes, so I take advice from these forums and experts like Andy from Vintage Tube Services, and he advised me that the 300b tubes that come with it (Electro Harmonix) don't really sound bad at all, but that the 2 5687 tubes are important sonically. He suggested as the best replacement of the supplied GE NOS tubes (one of which already went microphonic on me and had to be replaced) would be Tung Sol 5687 skinny plates.
Eventually, I want to upgrade every tube, but it's not possible right now.
Anyway, coming from solid state McIntosh, and a few flirtations with push pull tubes, I am very happy with the sound. More organic and pure, quiet...yes, quiet! Easier to understand interplay of instruments, and, compared to what I am used to, more ambience where it exists in the recording. I guess like anything else, it's hard to describe an experience, but I am happy that I made the change, and I wish you luck.
Brian is really good to work with as well.

Mikirob,
I remember having so much fun building the Bottlehead Seduction phono preamp. I don't get to work with my hands in my "normal" life and I find it very relaxing. And thanks for the good wishes.

Gsm,
Never occurred to me that Amazon.com sells tubes! We have one of their Visa cards that earns us points on Amazon, so I see some cheaper tube upgrades in my future. :-D

Roxy 54,
This is great to hear, thanks for chiming in!
I am glad to hear as well that the 300b tubes are decent for a starter. I'm not sure what the brand of the caps is; in the invoice he describes it as "silver gold oil." So, we'll see.
I had also read somewhere that a better volume attenuator helps. I'll ask Brian.

Rebbi,
Roxy54 gave you excellent advice regarding the volume control. This is an overlooked but important part affecting sound quality. Please get the best you can comfortably afford,you'd be surprised by the difference they make. Are you getting the Mundorf silver/gold oil caps or the Audio Note copper foil? I'm in no way telling you what to do, but if you get the good stuff/parts there's no looking back! You'll have a first rate 300b SET for just a few more dollars.
Again, congratulations.
Charles,