I am pleased to be able to report good news.
On Thursday I got a call from Andy Wilson saying that both my amp and pre-amp were ready. This was great to hear, and not bad going considering that they were only taken in to PMC on Monday this week.
It turns out that mine was one of the early BP25 units with the DAC, and it needed to have a modification done to prevent it from running too hot…apparently it had been running too hot all along, causing one of the components in the BP25 to burn out (even though it was on idle at the time), and when it did it took out the MPS-1 power supply too. I understand that the modification has now been done, the burnt out component within the BP25 replaced, and the MPS-1 unit was replaced completely.
Fortunately the 4BSST amp was not damaged by what happened to the pre-amp. Andy was able to reduce the slight hum and replace the faulty binding posts at the back - the other reasons for taking in the amp.
I declined Andy’s kind offer to have the units sent back to me, since I had Friday off work and preferred instead to collect them myself from PMC in Luton. I must admit to driving past PMC three times, since being a bloke (and therefore unable to multi-task effectively) I found myself easily distracted by the bright yellow speed cameras (in both directions) right outside PMC’s premises, and not focussing on where I was trying to get to. That aside, it was not too difficult to get there.
PMC’s rather austere exterior belies what is to be found within. The staff members were friendly, courteous and professional. When I introduced myself at reception, the gentleman said “Oh yes, I’ll call Andy for you.” I was impressed that they knew who I was - how often do you get that as a customer?
Andy took me through to the workshop where technicians were hard at work building new speakers….I was particularly pleased to see some OB1s being worked on since that is what I have at home in my own system. I also enjoyed seeing a rather large toroidal transformer being used as a door-stop in Andy’s office! Even though my visit was brief, I got the distinct impression that PMC is a very special company, one of those “pockets of excellence” that you come across every now and again. (I suppose this should not have been a surprise, after owning a pair of their loudspeakers.)
When I got home I reconnected the system, noting that the Bryston banana plugs now fitted properly into the binding posts. Once it had warmed up I set about doing some listening.
I was glad to hear the OB1s reaching deep when playing Fanfare for the Common Man. I chose Chopin Nocturnes and Ludovico Einaudi to test the higher frequencies. No problems at all. If anything I believe that the system may actually sound very slightly better sonically than it did before. It could just be my mind playing tricks on me (after listening through the TV speakers for over a week), but the pre-amp is noticeably cooler to the touch than before, perhaps that could have something to do with it.
When at PMC I asked Andy about upgrading the power supply to the MPS-2. His view was that it is a worthwhile and cost-effective way of upgrading the system. I will have to negotiate skilfully with the bank manager (my wife) for this upgrade. (I’ve found relentless pressure and unabated discussion quite effective in my procurement plans so far, but will keep you posted as to the efficacy this time).
In the mean time, I have a great system to listen to and the good after-sales service one gets from Bryston/PMC as manufacturers is good for customer loyalty and makes me more inclined to buy from them again.
