Atma-Sphere Owners, MP-3 Upgrade

@pstores,
Thanks for posting that.
I will probably have my MP-1 upgraded now. I should have done it when I had it made, but just wanted to hear the difference between the MP-3 and MP-1.
Compared to my Ayre KX-R, the MP-1 was a little less refined in the bass. Your post makes me think the Caddocks might put it closer to the Ayre.
BTW, what upgrades did Ralph do to your UV-1?
Bob

Didn’t you by that UV-1 from me? 

Ahh yes you did.... Lol... Anyway, it has Vcap ODAM and Power Regulation. Point to point wiring. And if you ever want to sell it. Please
give me the first chance. Only piece I ever regret selling. 

Should have read my response to you before posting. That UV-1 with point to point wiring was not an upgrade. I was an early version. Also that is as modded as it can possibly be.  And like I said. You ever want to sell it. Please contact me. Hope your staying safe out there. Take Care, Paul

I had a chance to get the resistors when my MP-3 was made but Ralph moved me away from it saying it was the least vital.
And it is quite expensive.
But your improvements seem significant. I will think about it.
Thanks,
Mike

@pstores ,
Oh yeah, I forgot it was you who sold it to me.🤣
Well, at least that is one thing that I don't need to upgrade.

I do recall you mentioning the Caddock resistors when I was having Ralph build my MP-1, but I demurred, as I wanted to see how a stock MP-1 would sound.
B

Yup when I bought my MP3 dealer talked to Ralph who said resistor package really not worth the $$$. Dealer owned MP1 which was out of my budget and he didn't have the resistor package in his MP1.

@rsf507 .
The whole point of the Caddock resistors is attaining that subtle nudge to 'perfection'.
Is it worth the money'? - is a question that only an owner can decide.
As I said, I own the Ayre KX-R. It can be upgraded to Twenty status, but that will cost five figures.
Will I do it? Probably if finances allow.
Should I do it?  Probably not.
But, when you get on the Audio Train, sometimes you have to change your destination.
Bob

Well @gdnrbob when the designer/owner says it's not worth the dollars I'd think most folks would take the suggestion. 

The resistors are made to Ralph's specifications so they are not your off the shelf Caddock resistors. I think the price reflects that. I had them in my S-30, but my M-60s do not have them.

@clio09 , 
Did you notice any difference between the Caddock upgrade and stock- Assuming you upgraded.
B

I have talked to Ralph on this subject a lot. I have had M60’s upgraded, MA-1’s upgraded and now MP-3. Ralph has never said to me that the Caddocks aren’t worth it. If that was the case I doubt he’d sell them. What he has said.... Is that there are better upgrades to do first. Bigger bang for the buck. The caddocks are just that. A finishing touch. And believe me they are worth it. I have them in my Amps. MA-1’s along with all the other upgrades. And now the MP-3. Almost every Upgrade I’ve had done, I did in steps. Months to a year between each. That’s the luxury of living 20 minutes from his shop. No shipping. So yes I am quest aware of what improvements have been made sonically with each upgrade. Nothing else has changed in my system. And my system is for listening to and not looks. I average 2 hours a night M-F. 10-12 hours Saturday and Sundays with the covid stuff.  But it’s really for everyone to make a choice. Is it worth it or not. My last upgrade will be the Caddocks added to my Volume control. Now that gets pricey. I’ll report back when I eventually get that done. Probably in the spring. 

I didn’t notice as significant difference when I did them to my amps. But the preamp, I thought it was significant.

@gdnrbob, the S-30 was purchased used and had the Caddock resistor upgrade already, so was not able to compare.

Yup when I bought my MP3 dealer talked to Ralph who said resistor package really not worth the $$$.

To be clear on this, what I tell people when they ask is as @pstores described- this is one of our more expensive options and offers the least 'bang for the buck'. But if you are going for the nth degree in resolution then they should be considered. @clio09 is also correct- Caddock makes these custom for us.


Being an audiophile in the old days I would change out all sorts of parts in the quest for better sound. That is why we have the options. We've found over the years that if people try to make part changes in our gear, more often than not the equipment winds up being a mess inside- often too with compromised performance. So if you're wanting to push things as far as they can be taken, we've already auditioned the Caddock (and other) parts, we've checked their specs, we've tested them to see how they hold up. So we can build them in and keep things looking nice inside.