Zaikesman makes a very good point (one which I was thinking about posting earlier but was too lazy) and that is that what may work well with tube amps in terms of budget cords is probably going to be an issue of synergy more than anything else.
I did a lot of experimentation with the Volex and Belden (Crump) DIY cord a number of years ago and, frankly, in my solid state system, I found a number of reasonably priced cords to be substantially better. Matty's suggestion for the DH Labs (you can do a DIY DH with Marincos for $70 or so) is an excellent one for most people but that cord may be a bit too "warm" with tube amps. So Zaikesman's suggestion on the Sidewinder may be quite appropriate for the VAC's. Another DIY option that may work well is the JPS Labs in-wall cable terminated with Marincos (this will probably run you into the $125 area); this cord is quite good on amps (10 guage live & neutral with a 12 guage ground) and is certainly livelier and more aggressive than the DH Labs. I use both of these cords in my system and, IMO, they are both miles ahead of the Volex or Crump/Belden cord, although I've had them both cryoed and run them in well on a fridge or freezer before putting them into my system.
I did a lot of experimentation with the Volex and Belden (Crump) DIY cord a number of years ago and, frankly, in my solid state system, I found a number of reasonably priced cords to be substantially better. Matty's suggestion for the DH Labs (you can do a DIY DH with Marincos for $70 or so) is an excellent one for most people but that cord may be a bit too "warm" with tube amps. So Zaikesman's suggestion on the Sidewinder may be quite appropriate for the VAC's. Another DIY option that may work well is the JPS Labs in-wall cable terminated with Marincos (this will probably run you into the $125 area); this cord is quite good on amps (10 guage live & neutral with a 12 guage ground) and is certainly livelier and more aggressive than the DH Labs. I use both of these cords in my system and, IMO, they are both miles ahead of the Volex or Crump/Belden cord, although I've had them both cryoed and run them in well on a fridge or freezer before putting them into my system.