The changes introduced in 2017 concerned LC cables, including the installation cable, and four models of conditioners. The new generation is called “Series PLUS” and despite many vital modifications were made, we left the old name with only an addition of the “+” sign behind it.
The new cables, LC-1 Mk3+, LC-2 Mk3+, LC-3 Mk3+ and LC-Y Mk3+, are build using the same geometry as before, the key change is the usage of new, much better conductors. Previous versions were made using pure, electrolytically refined using an ironworks process. The new wires are made from 99.997% (OFHC C10100) pure copper, additionally annealed to make the structure more homogenous and better conductivity. The raw material for the conductors is bought from one of the biggest, German suppliers of copper. Due to new plugs and sheath the external look of the cables did also change.
Many modifications were also made to the conditioners: PC-2 EVO+, PC-3 EVO+, PC-3 SE EVO+ and PC-4 EVO+. The main change is the design of new anti-interference and buffer circuit compensation capacitors, which allow for an even better sound. The flag PC-4 EVO+ will have special version of the capacitors – with more capacitance and better performing than those available in lower versions of the EVO+. Those capacitors are manufactured by a very renowned company, Miflex, which is very popular on the audio market, of course to Gigawatt specifications.
The build quality and external design of the Gigawatt conditioners were always praised and appreciated by the users and reviewers in many countries. Despite this fact, while trying to go a step further to perfection, we changed the main elements of the chassis: the front panels and the displays. Now we can say with absolutely clear conscience, that the fronts of the Series + do not differ from the Hi-End world leaders regarding quality and durability! The panels are made from aircraft grade aluminum, with specially processed edges, and are brushed first, and then anodized black or silver. The new displays from the models PC-3 EVO+, PC-3 SE EVO+ and PC-4 EVO+ are bigger, better readable, and the voltage display can also be switched off. Besides the standard, red color, you can order it in blue or green, without the need to pay extra. However there is also a white option available at extra cost. Another improvement used in the PC-2 EVO+, PC-3 EVO+ and PC-3 SE EVO+ are the new, anti-vibration feet, made from solid, anodized aluminum, supported by company designed elastomer.
Special attention was paid to the anti-vibration isolation of the flag PC-4 EVO+. As standard, this model will be equipped with a completely new type of feet, called Rolling-Ball Isolation System. It is an anti-vibration system, made of two parts (external and internal) made from solid aluminum, between which, are two races with balls. The purpose of the system is to minimize the amount of contact points between the foot, which translates in minimizing of the contact between the conditioner and the base. This translates into a significant reduction of mechanical vibration, which influence the innards negatively and degrade the sound of the conditioner.
The feet with balls works similar to a traditional ball bearing. The main differences are the sizes and number of individual elements, some details of construction and finally the direction of work of the bearing; as the feet are transferring big loads in an axial way, and not radially, as in a typical ball bearing. The elements of the lands and the balls are made from extremely hard stainless steel. Additionally, the lower element of the feet is equipped with a special elastomer, which is designed to suppress any vibration coming from the support. Those feet will be available as an accessory for all the other models of conditioners.