beatkilla - ta for the advice. Size of the rig is to a degree not that big a deal as the places I go have little if any security. For other shows by bigger artists I know there will be folk with better kit than me so I'l just get copies from them. I like the DR40 as it does 2 recordings at once, one with reduced volume etc I'll have a look on the yard sale.
Can you switch phantom power off on the DR-40 or does it always pass phantom power to the mics?
If phantom power is not switchable: There are some "Phantom Blocker" adapters by Triton Audio (in the NL) but they're XLR-M to XLR-F.
Otherwise, I know that companies like Pinknoise or Canford (in the UK), Kortwich (DE), Audiosense (BE) or AudioRoot (FR) also build custom cables. Probably worth asking.