There is a member who picked up a set of MA-1 Silver Editions and had them updated to Mk3.3. They were previously at the Mk3.1 level, so his comments are exactly about what you are asking: https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/atma-sphere-updates |
I see that he is very enthusiastic about his upgrade, but he doesn't get very specific about what the changes were, technically or sonically. What should I expect from the upgrades, sonically? I understand the 3.3 upgrade replaces the CCS tube with a solid state device, and uses its position for a 3d amplification tube. I don't know what the 3.2 change does, or what effect it might have on the sound. |
@ The update causes blacker backgrounds with a smoother and more detailed presentation. The new Constant Current Source (CCS) has nearly 2 orders of magnitude greater performance- and results in greater differential effect in the voltage amplifier. All the updates from the Mk3.2 level are included in the Mk3.3 level; the Mk3.2 has measurably lower IM distortion, which is audible as smoother sound. |
Well, I did it, upgraded my Silver Series from 3.1 to 3.3
Having the amps back for a while now, I can say I'm very impressed with
the results, and that the upgrade gave me a significant helping of the
sound I was looking for. The sound after update is much more open and
dynamic. I'm quite shocked at the difference. I thought the amps were
pretty good already. The increase in dynamics seems to be due to a
reduction in noise floor, rather than an increase in peaks, if that
makes sense. Sounds seem to stop more completely, leaving tiny gaps between notes, rather than blurring them together. The same is true of complex passages, where different instrumental lines can be heard more distinctly from each other. The system is more satisfying when played at low volumes
now. Bass also seems more controlled and tighter. The overall
impression is that the music sounds more powerful and vivid across the
spectrum. More detail can be heard from the very deepest bass through
the highest frequencies, but without being fatiguing. I did notice an
increase in high-frequency extension, which I was surprised at. In my
case it worked out well. My speakers have a switch to help match the
speakers to the amplifiers. I had it set in the position that boosts
highs a bit. Since the update, ti sounds more natural with the switch
in the normal position, and now sounds better than before with the
switch in the other position. The increased resolution is not a result
of simply boosting the highs, but is a real improvement across the
board.
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