The AR488 design is incredibly easy to build if you use a Pro Micro and artag's V3 PCB design.
In addition to several of the AR488's, I also have a couple of genuine Agilent ones. So I've not tried the Xyphro design, but it looks like it has some advantages but is a little more trouble to assemble.
I have also ordered a couple of those Ethernet to GPIB devices as those will be quite handy on my 34970A's.