Support and discussion for all of Akai’s modern standalone MPCs including the MPC X / X SE, MPC Live 1, 2 & 3, MPC One / One+, MPC Key 37/61.
By Smokeychuck Fri Sep 01, 2023 5:12 am
Has anyone upgraded the capacitors on both the input and output channels of their unit? I'm looking for more headroom and better signal to noise ratio.

I’ve been using my MPC in controller mode for about a 18 months with the SSL Big Six which smokes it in terms of sound quality (and stereo image when panning, but I suspect that’s due to my inability to change the MPC Pan law to match the big six’s pan law).

I think the new MPCs sound better than the vintage machines I’ve owned — SP1200, Emax II, MPC 1000, MPC2000XL. This thread isn’t about that. The new MPCs sound good but run a null test(by flipping phase) against better analog circuitry and better AD/DA and you’ll see what I mean… they can be improved in terms of noise floor, headroom (to interface with other pro audio gear) and clarity. I don’t think there’s anything I can do to improve clocking when running in standalone since it’s probably using the CPU for clocking.

So...has anybody here actually upgraded the capacitors on both the inputs and outputs of the MPC? I’m specifically asking if anyone has brought their machine in to someone who does precision bench work on modern circuit boards (not looking to hear from Black Lion Audio customers).
By 40Beatz Fri Sep 01, 2023 1:38 pm
Back in the day, They used those Electrolytic Barrel type Capacitors. Now many of them are very efficient Ceramic Capacitors
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By MPC-Tutor Fri Sep 01, 2023 4:40 pm
Smokeychuck wrote:Maybe read the post you’re replying to before talking stupid..


Take a breath please. But also be aware that you have, by your own words, knowingly started a topic that sits in the vicinity of an area that has already caused tensions both here and across social media. Your topic title, 'WHY IS UPGRADING CAPACITORS SUCH A TOUCHY SUBJECT HERE?' is provocative and it's hardly suprising that it's already garnered a few prickly responses. If you want simple, clear cut answers to a specific question, maybe choose less divisive topic titles, such as the actual question, i.e. 'has anyone upgraded the capacitors on both the inputs and outputs of the MPC?'