Yep. The new system for me is much better. Also you can apply the special effect whenever you want to and not loose it as you upgrade. So many positives to the system.
I'm just sad that they seem to have dropped Favours altogether. They could still be useful within this new system. Want an Experimental Effect, but lack 1 Critical Material? Call in a favour & you can have it anyway. Want an extra boost to one of your upgrade stats, beyond what you initially rolled? Then call in a favour & re-roll just that one stat, whilst keeping the rest of the upgrade as it is!