The CV5 and RX are two completely different portable amps, the former being an hybrid unit using tubes in its signal preamp section, while the latter is a fully solid state one. I own both and though I was initially of the idea that I could forego the RX while waiting for delivery of the CV5, I...

Would it be possible to know the balanced XLR output level of the NAD D 1050 in vrms? This is a specification that I could not find anywhere so far, and it’s not even disclosed on the NAD website and D 1050 manual. Unless I’m really not looking properly... Since I would be using the NAD D 1050...

Congrats! Great work with the paint finishing and overall look! Thumbs up! I've finished mines back in January... some links below: Cups Assembled Alphas It seems we both went for a metallic / micalized effect, with yours verging on a very nice green tint. I should probably share more photos...

What brand/type are these?

Hi, that's really weird! ... could you please try again and let me know? Thank you! EDIT: Ok... my bad! Now I've finally sorted out the new link settings in Dropbox! :-/ Everything should be working properly now! Please let me know! :-)

Hi,   all the links have now been fixed and they should work properly again!   As explained in my previous post, it looks like Dropbox has made some changes to the way public links are created, which unfortunately has corrupted the ones previously shared here on Head-Fi. I've edited my...

Hi, sorry for the late reply! Not sure what happened to the links... I've checked my Dropbox account a few minutes ago and all the files are still there!   I understand that there's been some changes made by Dropbox lately, which may likely include the way public links are created, hence why...

You might have found the right answer to your doubts already... and with just two letters and one digit! The CV5 is a great amp! If an integrated DAC and a balanced output are not in your list of essential requirements, the CV5 could actually fit the bill quite nicely, if not perfectly! You may...

Congratulations on your excellent purchase! I absolutely love the Alo RX. It's undeniably one of the best portable amps for IEMs or low-impedance headphones! I've never experienced such a detailed yet smooth and extremely pleasing sonic rendition of strings and vocals, supported by warm and...

I would only line the baffle (internal side) with Dynamat, all around the driver, since that should be the area which is more exposed to vibrations. Being the Dynamat less than 2mm thick, the loss of cup volume would be negligible if the cups are left unchanged and lined with paxmate only. I...

  I'm also casting my vote for a comparison between the Open Alpha and the modded MK3, possibly using the same pads.   Thanks!

This is exactly what I'm also missing in my Alpha! As already pointed out in a previous post, I'm perfectly happy with the body, layering and overall definition of the bass (two vent holes closed) but I would have hoped for a better definition and extension in the upper mids and highs, similarly...

Stiff felt is definitely on my "to do" list... Unfortunately, at the time I was putting together the Alphas, I could not find the right stiff felt and I decided to carry on with the open cell foam instead. I'm quite sure the using stiff felt on the ear side of the baffle is the way to... I'd...

Did anybody try the GE 6112 and could share his/her impressions? I understand the GE 6112 should be a double triode tube, so it should work properly with the CV5 if installed on the correct black PCB.

Great work indeed! You did a very good job with the painting and the matte finish is something to seriously consider, since it looks very pleasing to the eye. I personally opted for a metallic glossy finish on my Alpha. It's a nice and bizarre coincidence that a very similar dark metallic blue...

Absolutely agree! In my case, I decided to go with a 150 microns print. Increasing it to 100 microns would have costed me about $50 more in total, while with a 200 microns resolution I would have saved less than $20. In the end, it's a balance between the cost and the benefit of having an...

Well done!!! I really like the nice and quite peculiar finish on the cups... they look ethereal! It's a sort of "between the lines" homage to MrSpeakers ... ;-)

My Open Alpha is based on the T50RP MK3 drivers. I've had the chance to compare the genuine/stock MK2 and MK3 revisions of the T50's by Fostex and my personal standpoint is that the MK3 is undoubtedly the one that sounds the best. This is just my personal opinion, which is also strictly based...

Both the headband and the cups' rod colour suggest it's an MK2.

I've used an open cell polyurethane foam, with a density index of 26Kg/m3.   The foam was cut to the right thickness and shape with a hot wire cutter (generally used to cut styrofoam and thermoplastic materials). I helped myself with with the stencil linked in a previous post. The hot wire...

  Here's the link to the file in PDF format:   https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/29310109/Gasket%20Stencil%20Open%20Alpha.pdf   I've also edited my original post to include the link to the PDF.

Interesting! Would post a picture of yours when you have the chance? Thanks!

It could well be a precursor of the Thomson 6021! I'm now sure the manufacturer is the French "Société La Radiotechnique". I shall buy some PCB's and test it in my CV5... 

I've stumbled into this 6021 tube, which the logo RT suggests should be by the French manufacturer "Société La Radiotechnique"... are any additional infos available? I couldn't find anything online!

Many thanks for sharing the photos. I do value any contribution made to this thread as pure gold, since they all offer great advices and possible different approaches to those who decided to go through the "Open Alpha" project. I've learnt a good deal from those who contributed and posted in...