Yes, the upgrade doesn't reduce the quanta required. No, that does not mean the upgrade is not a significant buff. No, it would not necessarily be a bad thing even if it was not a buff. Changing the quanta required to one type matters a lot to non rainbow decks. The quanta is also shifted from part for one effect and part for a second, to NONE for one effect and all for the second. You can use sundial without draw, and in that case, this is a buff from one cost to none.
Also, before any more threads of this sort: An upgrade does not need to improve a card in every way. Thank you.