[Vhond]

Since there are many devices which are dated (decades old), some companies do provide recap services.

a) people who have experience?
b) what exactly do they do? For instance, do they replace all capacitors or specific ones (only the ones in the signal path)? What about the components of the power supply?
c) what did it cost?

[Russr]

I'm quite keen to hear more on this, too.  I had inquired about servicing/repairing my amps (4B-ST, 4B-NRB)... the current line from Bryston is it's $800 for a specific repair.  No "general service", or "refurb/renew" programs.  Frankly a bit disappointing, as I did not anticipate having to replace Bryston amps due to failures... maybe the occasional service, but at $800 per incident.... What if the initial observed issue is caused by something else... "Oops, that'll be $1,600"... "oh, hang on, power switch/de-thump - make that $2,400"... in the absence of some stated policy, I can't afford to play that game.

The Refresh/Renew program should've been great... $1,000 to bring any legacy product (amps?) up to spped, replace all the regular suspects, etc.  It was advertised, but then killed.  I understand that Supply chain issues have been a bear, but a lot of that has bee addressed/worked around in most industries.  Not sure if/how the Axiom merger/acquisition-thingy affected it, but maybe they are more mercenary about things?

In case you hadn't gathered, I am not amongst the well-heeled who's response would be "just get a 4B-Cubed, it's a great amp".. I know it's a great amp, I'm just living in not-so-great times, and would dearly love to still listen to my music using my amazing Bryston gear... it's a venting mechanism!

/rant

Russ

[gbaby]

I'm quite keen to hear more on this, too.  I had inquired about servicing/repairing my amps (4B-ST, 4B-NRB)... the current line from Bryston is it's $800 for a specific repair.  No "general service", or "refurb/renew" programs.  Frankly a bit disappointing, as I did not anticipate having to replace Bryston amps due to failures... maybe the occasional service, but at $800 per incident.... What if the initial observed issue is caused by something else... "Oops, that'll be $1,600"... "oh, hang on, power switch/de-thump - make that $2,400"... in the absence of some stated policy, I can't afford to play that game.

The Refresh/Renew program should've been great... $1,000 to bring any legacy product (amps?) up to spped, replace all the regular suspects, etc.  It was advertised, but then killed.  I understand that Supply chain issues have been a bear, but a lot of that has bee addressed/worked around in most industries.  Not sure if/how the Axiom merger/acquisition-thingy affected it, but maybe they are more mercenary about things?

In case you hadn't gathered, I am not amongst the well-heeled who's response would be "just get a 4B-Cubed, it's a great amp".. I know it's a great amp, I'm just living in not-so-great times, and would dearly love to still listen to my music using my amazing Bryston gear... it's a venting mechanism!

/rant

Russ

I believe I read a while back that the refurbishing program was eliminated because Bryton was having problems getting parts.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Deleted.

[Vhond]

The only one I could find: https://www.fidelityaudio.co.uk/bryston-bp25-pre-amplifier-upgrade-5350-p.asp

But hey have questionable modifications: they remove some capacitors but this can only be done when you know for sure they didn't remove the capacitors in the 'end-path' in the power amp.

[R. Daneel]

I'm quite keen to hear more on this, too.  I had inquired about servicing/repairing my amps (4B-ST, 4B-NRB)... the current line from Bryston is it's $800 for a specific repair.  No "general service", or "refurb/renew" programs.  Frankly a bit disappointing, as I did not anticipate having to replace Bryston amps due to failures... maybe the occasional service, but at $800 per incident.... What if the initial observed issue is caused by something else... "Oops, that'll be $1,600"... "oh, hang on, power switch/de-thump - make that $2,400"... in the absence of some stated policy, I can't afford to play that game.

The Refresh/Renew program should've been great... $1,000 to bring any legacy product (amps?) up to spped, replace all the regular suspects, etc.  It was advertised, but then killed.  I understand that Supply chain issues have been a bear, but a lot of that has bee addressed/worked around in most industries.  Not sure if/how the Axiom merger/acquisition-thingy affected it, but maybe they are more mercenary about things?

In case you hadn't gathered, I am not amongst the well-heeled who's response would be "just get a 4B-Cubed, it's a great amp".. I know it's a great amp, I'm just living in not-so-great times, and would dearly love to still listen to my music using my amazing Bryston gear... it's a venting mechanism!

/rant

Russ

Hey Russ!

I understand your concerns. Unfortunately, it seems to be a recurring theme among amplifier manufacturers to slowly but surely start replacing their conventional designs with class-D. I just read the article regarding Bryston's new class-D range, among which is a 125Wpc model. Given the fact the 2.5B has been discontinued, I can only assume that class-D will become the predominant tech in the lineup. Perhaps not immediately, but within several years, you might not be able to even buy anything else but class-D. It makes more sense, or so they say. Economically, it does make more sense - for the manufacturer.

Being heavily dependent on semiconductors, class-D inevitably means obsolescence. No one will repair it because the modules used will be replaced by something else. It's like trying to find someone to repair your expensive LCD TV from several years ago.

The point I am trying to make is that the market is shifting below our feet. The manufacturers who refuse to move with it will no longer be manufacturer or will continue to be a small manufacturer whose products need to cost a lot of money to be viable. Brystin is thinking the same way.

That being said, perhaps now is the time to have your 'old' amplifiers overhauled. There are still specialists who can do that for you and probably at much more reasonable prices than the one you mentioned. I think you will find that there are those who will do nothing else but a complete overhaul - because it is the only way they can guarantee proper function. Address one problem and within a short while, another problem might occur. Some techs don't want to go through that so they either do a complete rebuild or none at all.

Also, I can absolutely appreciate your comment regarding the pricing and the illuminating suggestion to buy the newest 'cubed' variant. I tend to look at it this way - if your ST and NRB amps were fantastic when you bought them, then they are fantastic today. A friend of mine has several ST and SST amplifiers and was kind to share the price he paid back in the day. Let me tell you, no amount of 'inflation calculating' will explain away the prices of current models. The new amps are better, sure, but shouldn't the general technological evolution over the years account for at least some of the improvements? I think it should.

Cheerio!

[gbaby]

Hey Russ!

I understand your concerns. Unfortunately, it seems to be a recurring theme among amplifier manufacturers to slowly but surely start replacing their conventional designs with class-D. I just read the article regarding Bryston's new class-D range, among which is a 125Wpc model. Given the fact the 2.5B has been discontinued, I can only assume that class-D will become the predominant tech in the lineup. Perhaps not immediately, but within several years, you might not be able to even buy anything else but class-D. It makes more sense, or so they say. Economically, it does make more sense - for the manufacturer.

Being heavily dependent on semiconductors, class-D inevitably means obsolescence. No one will repair it because the modules used will be replaced by something else. It's like trying to find someone to repair your expensive LCD TV from several years ago.

The point I am trying to make is that the market is shifting below our feet. The manufacturers who refuse to move with it will no longer be manufacturer or will continue to be a small manufacturer whose products need to cost a lot of money to be viable. Brystin is thinking the same way.

That being said, perhaps now is the time to have your 'old' amplifiers overhauled. There are still specialists who can do that for you and probably at much more reasonable prices than the one you mentioned. I think you will find that there are those who will do nothing else but a complete overhaul - because it is the only way they can guarantee proper function. Address one problem and within a short while, another problem might occur. Some techs don't want to go through that so they either do a complete rebuild or none at all.

Also, I can absolutely appreciate your comment regarding the pricing and the illuminating suggestion to buy the newest 'cubed' variant. I tend to look at it this way - if your ST and NRB amps were fantastic when you bought them, then they are fantastic today. A friend of mine has several ST and SST amplifiers and was kind to share the price he paid back in the day. Let me tell you, no amount of 'inflation calculating' will explain away the prices of current models. The new amps are better, sure, but shouldn't the general technological evolution over the years account for at least some of the improvements? I think it should.

Cheerio!

Sorry, but I think you are completely wrong about Bryston and the reason for its making Class D amps. Class D amps do not perform as well as Class A/B amps with music and James Tanner has already stated Bryston will always make Class A/B amps.

[R. Daneel]

Sorry, but I think you are completely wrong about Bryston and the reason for its making Class D amps. Class D amps do not perform as well as Class A/B amps with music and James Tanner has already stated Bryston will always make Class A/B amps.

You'll just have to wait and see for yourself then!

[gbaby]

You'll just have to wait and see for yourself then!

Okay!

Hi Antun

No we will always offer our current Class AB amps - Class D has its place but not ready yet to take over from Class AB in our opinion - at least with our amplifiers - I can not speak for others.

james

[R. Daneel]

Okay!

You missed the gist of the commentary. It is not a question whether or not class A/B will continue, it is the cost of it in the future. As the market moves from transistors, less and less there will be, forcing the prices up. Get it? Perhaps cost doesn't mean anything to you but the opening post was about that so that is what the thread is about.

Cheers - Antun

[gbaby]

You missed the gist of the commentary. It is not a question whether or not class A/B will continue, it is the cost of it in the future. As the market moves from transistors, less and less there will be, forcing the prices up. Get it? Perhaps cost doesn't mean anything to you but the opening post was about that so that is what the thread is about.

Cheers - Antun

And, I was just responding to your comment to Russ making all of these erroneous speculative comments about Bryston's plans. Get it!

[R. Daneel]

And, I was just responding to your comment to Russ making all of these erroneous speculative comments about Bryston's plans. Get it!

How is Russ' comment misplaced when he outlayed the exact information he received from Bryston - what the repairs include and how much it costs?

The guy needs help with his amps and what do you do? You proceed with calling his comment 'erroneous'. Yet, if something useful did actually come from the critique on this thread and some assistance is eventually provided to him and those like him, I bet you'll be among the first to take advantage of it. I should warn you so that you don't waste your time - I have enough of a photographic memory to remember several of your last posts, all similar, and all with the same outome.

Two sentences is too much for you and you are selfish. So, if you'll kindly refrain from replying to my comments, I will refrain from replying to yours.

Cheers - Antun

[gbaby]

How is Russ' comment misplaced when he outlayed the exact information he received from Bryston - what the repairs include and how much it costs?

The guy needs help with his amps and what do you do? You proceed with calling his comment 'erroneous'. Yet, if something useful did actually come from the critique on this thread and some assistance is eventually provided to him and those like him, I bet you'll be among the first to take advantage of it. I should warn you so that you don't waste your time - I have enough of a photographic memory to remember several of your last posts, all similar, and all with the same outome.

Two sentences is too much for you and you are selfish. So, if you'll kindly refrain from replying to my comments, I will refrain from replying to yours.

Cheers - Antun

This is petty. Quit being so sensitive.

[Jozsef]

Since there are many devices which are dated (decades old), some companies do provide recap services.

a) people who have experience?
b) what exactly do they do? For instance, do they replace all capacitors or specific ones (only the ones in the signal path)? What about the components of the power supply?
c) what did it cost?

Last I heard, Bryston will do this at a reasonable price. That's all you need if getting the unit to them is a practical option. I wonder if they can sell you the necessary caps. In a unit already out of warranty, there is no downside for them. What you need is good quality capacitors, suitable for what they're being used for and proper soldering technique, meaning not a beginner. Only a very good shop will know which caps to buy and they may suggest modifications, which you should never agree to. Not ever.

[gbaby]

Last I heard, Bryston will do this at a reasonable price. That's all you need if getting the unit to them is a practical option. I wonder if they can sell you the necessary caps. In a unit already out of warranty, there is no downside for them. What you need is good quality capacitors, suitable for what they're being used for and proper soldering technique, meaning not a beginner. Only a very good shop will know which caps to buy and they may suggest modifications, which you should never agree to. Not ever.

Bryston had a program back in 2022 called "Back To the Future," where they restored amps in "Tiers" depending on what you wanted done. However, I recall having read since then that Bryston was having problems with suppliers getting parts so they abandoned the program.

[Jozsef]

Bryston had a program back in 2022 called "Back To the Future," where they restored amps in "Tiers" depending on what you wanted done. However, I recall having read since then that Bryston was having problems with suppliers getting parts so they abandoned the program.

That is correct. The modern business approach is to focus exclusively on the share value and this year's profits. The result has been many parts discontinued everywhere so that even companies that want to make heirlooms are finding it impossible to repair devices for their customers. Big companies generally want their stuff scrapped as soon as the customer is willing to tolerate while those trying to provide an alternative are hamstrung by the component manufacturers not wanting to continue making and inventorying low volume old parts. (Old can now be a few years, not decades. Apple scraps their parts after five years because those machines are obsolete, to use their term.)

I don't know if Ian is greedy or not but over the decades Axiom has been around, I've never heard a bad word said about them or their speakers, so my guess would be market forces in the case of Bryston repair issues and costs.

[Vhond]

Talking about spare parts: are the caps used in the Bryston BP25 that special you can't get those anymore?
I don't thinks so, but for Bryston (and other brands) it is not worth it to keep it in stock so long.