Alpair 10 Gen. MAOP Prototype TW-1

[markaudio]

Hi Chaps,

At this stage, the plan is to have the MAOP drivers individually made by Evan Yu, Kitagawo San and Taniguchi San. The drivers will then be individually sweep tested in an anechoic chamber and pair matched. The test results will be printed and placed with the drivers. You'll know who built each pair of drivers as the 3 assemblers will sign their names to each unit.

The cones require special care when being handled. They're expensive to make and take 1 month to complete. While they are quite robust, the light colour can be marked by finger nails etc. so they're best suited to "special" limited production by these 3 guys.

Cheers
Mark.

[Scottmoose]

I think that's going to cause a few people to come down with wants it lust, Gollum style.

[markaudio]

Originally Posted by Scottmoose

I think that's going to cause a few people to come down with wants it lust, Gollum style.

Hi Scott,
Still up?
Yup, could be lust.

Boy was I nervous yesterday afternoon. Norio san, Tony, Graham, Kenneth, Peter and the gang are all very serious audio guys. Bit like walking into the lion's den but this time, they didn't eat me for afternoon snacks. Seriously, they're nice guys but they aren't into "average" audio. Peter brought along his vintage GE KT88's and some rare 6SN7's. He only uses and trades vintage GE valves (tubes). Dare not ask him the prices but the cotton gloves were in permanent use when handling these treasures.

Personally speaking, I enjoyed these drivers in the 10.2 Pensils. Bass and mids were pure delight. Highs very clean, especially when mated to Kenneth's mono 300B's.

Cheers
Mark.

[jimbro]

Gollum eh? My precious. Maybe like the ring, when installed in a cabinet it disappears. Mark - would you say these may be a bit more forgiving of source than the standard 10.2?

[markaudio]

Originally Posted by jimbro

Gollum eh? My precious. Maybe like the ring, when installed in a cabinet it disappears. Mark - would you say these may be a bit more forgiving of source than the standard 10.2?

Hi Jim,
Yes, thats the impression I got. Judging from the chat at yesterday's first listening session, I think it was Graham or Norio who said the MAOP driver came between a metal and paper cone.

We played a mix of CD's, some were "average" quality (Pink Champagne 2 CD Jazz set for example). These recordings did better on the MAOPs than the standard Alp 10's. Pretty much expected given the coating will have a smoothing effect on the cone's output.

2 of the guys at yesterday's meet already have Alp10 Gen 1 and Gen 2's. Interesting that Thomas wanted to "up-grade" to this driver. I think it could be a driver that firstly interests those guys with existing Alp10 set-ups, or those guys who really want to fine tune a system and make something the wife (partner likes), a system that looks good as well as sounds good.

In all honesty, I wouldn't suggest these drivers as an "experimenters" due to their likely price. Once we get into individual hand-builds and anechoic matching, I guess a pair is going work out at around the US$430 to US$530 region.

Cheers
Mark

[zman01]

Mark you mentioed applying MAOP to next gen Alp 12 - that is a limited edition run too?

-Zia

[markaudio]

Originally Posted by zman01

Mark you mentioed applying MAOP to next gen Alp 12 - that is a limited edition run too?
-Zia

Hi Zia,
Yes, most likely. The coating cost for bigger cones becomes increasingly expensive.

Also component handling becomes an issue. For example, last Wednesday, the courier managed to wreak 12 sets of the new neckless Alpair 12 cone! Imagine if these were MAOP versions

Once we add MAOP, it likely won't be viable to go to mass production. MAOP really is for guys like yourself who once's they've done their practice on the standard drivers, want to go the "Full Monty" and fit this top version. Or Diyers who want to take time to build a pro-look finished project. For example, there's a member in Sweden (I think) on one our thread who's made a system using a re-made Chinese amp with Alps in matching painted boxes. See if you can find his pics and imagine MAOP driver is his cabs.

Cheers
Mark

[borispm]

Originally Posted by markaudio

Hi Boris,
You still up? It late here in HK.
The MAOP cone is doing most of the work re the smoother response.
Let me know if you do some research on MAOP applications
thx
Mark.

Hi Mark,
City never sleeps, and to be exact, teens never sleep.

I have done some Googling on the MAOP and it seems the process is very similar to anodizing, except it needs far higher voltage, uses a different electrolyte (diluted alkaline in MAO, sulfuric acid in conventional anodizing) and the microstructure can be tailored to suit the application.

If the oxide coating is semi porous, it should be able to be dyed just like anodized aluminum, but I suspect that is not the best idea around as it might change the damping properties of the coating. Imagine packing up holes in a sponge, the sponge will be stiffer. Also, the MAO process seems to be REALLY EXPENSIVE, so I don't see much benefits of risking.

Masking prior to MAO is possible though, but definitely not with markers! Maybe acrylic based paint?

[welborne]

Hi Mark,

Very nice to see you keep working and improving on these wonderful drivers. My pair of Alpair 10 is still serving nicely at home. Well done.

ciao.

[Musik007]

Hi welborne,

Your Alpair 10 Gen.1 is a classic driver of Mark Audio. If you can compare Alpair Gen.1 with Gen.2 and Gen.2 MAOP TW-1, you will easily hear the difference and improvements on the sound from the Alpair Gen.2 and Gen.2 MAOP TW-1. The performance of Alpair Gen.2 MAOP TW-1 goes to high-end level.

Cheers,
Tony.

Originally Posted by welborne

Hi Mark,

Very nice to see you keep working and improving on these wonderful drivers. My pair of Alpair 10 is still serving nicely at home. Well done.

ciao.