CAL Alpha DAC: Stock vs. 24/96 upgrade

Kevin, When you take the cover off of the Alpha, there is the large metal piece/part inside. This is the transformer and is noticeably the most heavy part in the case. It is tall, comes about 1" short of where the top cover would be if the cover were back on. You should use a piece of styrofoam or even better a softer foam. This should be thicker than the space between the top of the transformer and the cover when it is put back on. This piece will then compress with the cover installed and hold the transformer in place to prevent its heavy wait from receiving shipping impact. Since the cover slides on it is fairly easy to do this.

What is known to happen without this is during shipping the box and components takes some real impacts when it is being tossed around and dropped. Due to the weight of the transformer these impacts cause cracks or total breaks to occur at the contacts or base of the piece.

If you ship the piece, you should always do this, but you also need to let the buyer know to remove it before playing. Many people don't know to do this and this is why so many of these units have been sold in good working condition, only to arrive not working at all - no power. I will check my office computer to see if I have a photo of this.

Kevin, I did some checking at my office to see if I took a picture of the support for the transformer - all packaing pics, but not of the unit opened with the support. I early stated it was Kevin with Approved Audio, it was really Larry. This is what he wrote to me when I sent mine in (and by the way, the unit will power up and even seemed to lock onto the signal - just no output):

". . . prior to shipping, i suggest removing the screws from the cabinet (4 on bottom, 3 on rear,
3 on top front) and sliding back the cabinet. you will see a large black thing in the front left corner-this is the power transformer.
take some cardboard or something similar and place some pieces on top of the transformer so that when you slide the cover back on, the cover will press against the transformer holding it in place. cal used a transformer which is not screwed to the chassis, it is held by the solder connections and some glue between the transformer and the circuit board. if the box gets dropped just right, the transformer can break loose. this is not a good thing. it doesn't happen often, but i've seen a couple. i always do this when i return ship them, and haven't run into a problem. it's cheap insurance. box it up, insure it for $1000 and send it in. it's a great sounding dac, i use one in my system."

Ckoffend, I understand completely what you're saying. I know what to do if I have to ship. I didn't understand your post from 2/20. It makes total sense now. I thought you were talking about something other than the proper packing for shipment. Thank you very much for the detailed explanation.
I'm not sure what direction I plan to take (keep or sell). There are so many posts from different listeners with different perspectives. One thing I learned; The Alpha is still a well appreciated piece of equipment to many in 2008. As mentioned to Buda, I will do some tube rolling before jumping into the $500.00 upgrade OR purchase of a used 24/96 Alpha. In the past I didn't have to think as much with SS units.
Thank you everyone for your posts.
Kevin Billig

I currently run an Alpha (non 24/96), and have a Sigma II as well, both run with CAL Delta Transports.

I'll second what I've found with using Mullard CV-4004, as I tried a good pair of Platinum graded Upscale Audio Tubes, that were donated to me to try, by a very kind agoner here, "zinfan", and it was just too lackluster, dull, and killed detail.

Jan/Phillps 5751 Tubes that came in this DAC ( I bought it used) were the exact opposite, like fingernails on a Chaulkboard.

I contacted Kevin Deal, decided to try 3 pairs, NOS '50's RCA Triple Mica Blackplates, the GT Mullard 12AX7M re-issue, and a pair of JAN/GE 5751. All sounded very good, with the RCA's coming out the clear winner. All were platinum graded. The GT Mullard was close second behind the RCA. Lastly, the JAN/GE 5751, but not at all bad either, being a wee bit more forward in the mids.

I did not long ago, buy 3 pair of New Sensor/Sovtek Mullard Long Plate re-issues from The Tube Store, and while these Tubes initially seemed to sound a little darker than both the RCA, and GT Mullard, these New Sensor Mullard re-issues seemed to really come around with a little run time, and I've found provide very nice sound indeed!

I am currently running these now for the last few months, and they give good sound top to bottom, good even detail without being over-analytical very nice bass weight, and tone to the sound, and so far, appear to be holding up, no problems. This I feel is a great Tube to try, without breaking the Bank.

Another great "cheap" Tube that also might be worth considering, that will have a different sound than the New Sensor Re-Issue "Mullard", but may work very well in a particular system, would be the Sovtek 12AX7LPS.

I've tried to read every available post out there about the Alpha, and there's two camps in which some like the 24/96 upgrade, and others that didn't. You may get more favorable results by Tube Rolling.

Re-Capping, and changeout of other parts to superior components, would/can be another option, but again, won't be exactly a cheap option.

As for the vintage NOS 5751 Tubes in the Alpha. Although I've never tried them, I'd probably concur, that the Sylvania Triple Mica Blackplate (with D-Getter I believe) would probably be the ultimate "holy grail" choice, and if one can find a good pair cheap, then god bless you, but I had to shy away when I seen the asking prices. Just can't see shelling out $140+ ea for a tube, that not many years ago you probably could've gotten for $12-$20 each.

I've also heard from one strong personal proponent of the Sylvania TM Blackplate 5751, that although a fantastic sounding Tube, they are not a long lasting Tube.

Hope this helps, Mark

Mark, Thank you for your input. You gave me a lot to think about. I'm new at this tube thing. In a nutshell, this is what I want to do: My Alpha came with the Eico/Mullard tubes. They sound warm, rich & smooth. They lack in the detail I'm looking for. I'm looking to buy a nice pair that has higher resolution & clearer detail. The Sylvania 5751 (from previous posts) sounds like a tube I might want. However, your mention of the New Sensor/Sovtek Mullard Long Plate peaked my interest. Are they improved detail & resolution tubes? I looked for them at the tube store but couldn't find them listed. Is it a Sovtek/Mullard (together) brand or separate Sovtek & Mullard brands? Please weigh in if you would. Thank You,
Kevin