thanx, drummingj, for saying what I couldn't express properly. I also find the AT853Rx sound more pleasing to my ears. I haven't used the CMC-4s, but I have heard many recordings with them and everything I have recorded with the AT853Rx (THANX GOOSE!!!) is leaps and bounds better. This is not a knock on SP, because i feel the SP-CMC-2 setup is the best bang for your buck stealth-wise, and have recommended it to many people. However, if you are gonna step up to a higher quality switchable cap system, why short-change yourself?
Regarding size, I don't want to beat this limping horse, but he ain't dead yet, so...
The xlr terminations combined hold roughly the same volume as the battery box. Also, he said he will probably use a UA-5, therefore, I don't think the XLR termination would be a problem for him. Rather, they would fit nicely with the UA-5. I would love to see someone get a UA-5 into one of the bigger (2000+) venues used in Cali.