There's not really much to say here, except that the unit doesn't produce any excess line noise, buzz, hum etc.
Reliability/Durability:
It's a BOSS and built like a tank. The jacks are good quality components and the pedal has a good solid action. I've never had a BOSS pedal fail on me yet and do not see the need for a backup.
Ease of Use:
The PSM-5 Master Switch & Power Supply pedal is designed to power up to seven BOSS effects pedals simultaneously, thus doing away with need for a separate PSA or ACA Series power adapter for each individual pedal. The unit is in the standard BOSS pedal design and so blends in with the rest of your BOSS effects pedals.
The PCM-5 is quite versatile because it can be connected in series using the Guitar In and Amp 6.3 mm jacks, or you can connect it to an Effects Loop using the Send and Return 6.3 mm jacks. A red/green bi-colour LED indicates when red that the pedal is powered up from the PSA Series adapter provided, and when green that it is supplying power to the various effects pedals via the parallel power cord also provided. You switch the pedal on and off using the standard BOSS pedal mechanism.
I bought my PCM-5 used for half the regular new price and as a result didn't receive any instructions. However, there isn't much to get wrong and a description of the connections is also included on the unit's baseplate.
Customer Support:
I contacted Roland/BOSS in Germany and asked them to send me the original instructions for the PCM-5, which they have promised to try and do. I have always found them to be helpful in giving product advice and sending brochures etc.
Overall Rating:
The PCM-5 is a cost effective power supply solution - particularly if you own a number of BOSS pedals. The unit doesn't come cheap though - approx. the cost of 4 power adapters - so generally secondhand units provide the best bargains.
If my PCM-5 got or lost or stolen, I would probably try and replace it with another used unit in good condition.
