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PC-1 is the basic conditioner in the GigaWatt line of products, designed as an element of effective protection, filtering and power distribution for audio and video systems.
Despite the fact, that the PC-1 EVO is the cheapest power conditioner offered by the company GigaWatt, it proves itself as a device powering reference music and video gear. This conditioner not only effectively protects from any kind of interference and overvoltage in the power grid, but most of all warrants visible improvement of the sound and picture quality in the powered devices. The unit excels with a solid construction, usage of selected components and high quality and aesthetics of workmanship.
In the modular construction of the PC-1 EVO we resigned from using separation transformers and applied a worked out, multi-stage, parallel filtration instead. The conditioner is equipped with two independent filtering branches, separate for each pair of output sockets. Due to this solution the filtration of each of the branches was adapted to the character of the load, that will be used on those sockets, different for each kind of devices – digital, analog or high current draw units. The autonomous passive filters allow for isolation from interference generated by devices connected to a common power line.
The PC-1 EVO conditioner is made from high quality elements. Due to the increased efficiency of the new filtering circuits they were mounted using silver solder on massive PCBs with double-fold content of copper compared to standard PCB. The one layered PCBs have very wide conductive traces made from 70 micrometer thick copper. Damping of the interference is made in RLC type filtering blocks, built using, among other things, metallized polyester capacitors with low inductance and IP (Iron Powder) core filters.
In this conditioner we also resigned from using traditional protective elements, like wire or thermal fuses, which throttle the free flow of current to the protected circuits and by this have a negative influence on the sound. The overvoltage protection of the conditioner is guaranteed by the start block, which contains plasma spark gaps, next-generations of UltraMOV varistors and an initial filter. Those elements, working together with a well designed, modern power grid, warrant a complex protection against overcurrent and overvoltage.
Optionally, the power conditioner can be equipped with the circuit, which eliminates unwanted DC component from the mains (DC Offset Blocker). The Direct Current component (DC Offset) is a very unfavorable phenomenon, which exists in almost every electrical grid. It results in the Alternating Current (AC) sine wave become asymmetrical, what negatively influences any device using transformers. Their cores get magnetized, what translates in higher operating noise (hum), diminished efficiency of the power supply and finally in degraded sound. The DC blocker effectively eliminates this phenomenon without causing any compression or having any other negative influence on the sound.
Proper operation of the unit is signaled by a blue LED mounted in the front panel. The conditioner is also equipped with an additional circuit, signaling problems with its connection to the power grid. A red LED mounted on the back signals improper polarization of the power fed to the conditioner or bad connection of the grounding.
The PC-1 EVO uses an innovative, two stage current distribution system, being a proprietary development of the company. It is based on massive power distribution bars of 2nd generation, made from polished, high purity, cathode copper slabs (Cu-ETP). The first stage allows for lossless and equal distribution of power to the individual filtering branches. The second stage supplies power directly to each pair of output sockets, using crimped and screw-tightened connections and cabling made from electrolytic copper with a cross-section of 2.5 QMM. The use of the star wiring topology and the high conductance and massive cross-section of about 30 QMM of each of the bars warrants an equal and stable power distribution regardless of the load on any of the conditioner’s outputs
The PC-1 EVO conditioner is equipped with four high quality power sockets GigaWatt G-040 Schuko, designed and manufactured by the company. The brass connectors of those sockets were silver plated at the factory, without the usage of intermediary metals, like copper or nickel, which could introduce unfavorable series resistance and voltage loss. The increased area of contact and the thick layer of silver guarantee sure contact with the plug pins. The sockets were additionally subdued to cryogenic modification and a demagnetizing process. In order to effectively protect children, the G-040 sockets were equipped with integrated anti-surge shutters (increased protection against touching, conform with VDE 0620). The PC-2 EVO is also available with outlets of type NEMA 5-20R, used in North America and some Asian countries, and with Australian outlets of type AS/NZS 3112.
All internal elements of the conditioner were enclosed in a rigid, steel-aluminum chassis, which is supported on anti-vibration feet. The front of the unit is made from a plate of solid, milled aviation aluminum. This panel, with brushed and anodized surface is available in two colors – silver and black.
The PC-1 EVO is, by standard, equipped with the power cable LC-1 MK3 with 1.5m length. To fully utilize the maximum potential of the PC-1 EVO we recommend the usage of the LC-3 MK3 or LC-2 MK3 power cable.
All GigaWatt products are covered by an insurance policy for the connected equipment, with a total insurance value of 1000000 PLN. The insurance does not apply to the United States and Canada.
Available socket types: EU (Schuko), US (Nema 5-20R), AU (AS/NZS 3112)
Line voltage: 220-240 VAC 50/60 Hz or 110-120 VAC 50/60 Hz
Maximum output power : 3 680 W
Maximum current load: 16 A
Absorbed impulse current: 20 000 A
Dimensions (W x H x D): 320 x 90 x 330 mm
Gross weight: 6,50 kg
In the opinion of specialist audio magazines the devices from GigaWatt are among the best in the world, both in terms of effectiveness and manufacturing quality, and even surpass the standards used in the branch setting new masters. This statement is confirmed by many reviews and prestigious awards given to GigaWatt products. You can find some of them below:
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PC-1 EVO Anniversary Edition
Hi-Fi Choice, Poland, October 2018, RECOMMENDATION
PC-1 EVO Anniversary Edition can be a desire object, especially for fans of improving the quality of current supplied to audio and video devices.
It is an improved device to the basic version and showing that in the improvement of some construction areas there are still large reserves, which directly affect of the sound quality.
PC-1 EVO Anniversary Edition capabilities have come closer to the more expensive PC-2 model. This is also a desirable device due to the limited number of them – just 30 items went on sale.
Summary:
It gives a guarantee of full protection of powered devices, and also improves their sound, which is important for people with sophisticated audio systems, but still looking for additional reserves in sound quality.
Author: Dariusz Ogrodnik
Full review
PC-1 EVO, Hi Fi i Muzyka, Poland, January 2015, Award of the Year
The Gigawatt PC-1 EVO is a modest looking and featured device for filtering noise and protecting hi-fi gear from power surprises. To say it short – it is a power conditioner. And let us add, it is the simplest one in the Gigawatt catalog. Simplest, so also the cheapest one, and destined to be the most battered one. But is it true? Setting up the company hierarchy is not easy this time, as the PC-1 EVO, even when compared directly with the flagship PC-4 EVO, does not need to be ashamed of anything. Yes, it has only 4 output sockets instead of twelve, and when you try to list technologies used in it, most spaces will remain empty. But the “one” brings good energy, openness and vividness into the sound. It is not as refined and smooth in the upper registers, or as saturated in the midrange as the reference model, but it helps the amplifier to control the bass completely and brings the so needed pepper into the music. It can breathe new life into a system, and put the sounds in their rightful places on the timeline. I hope there will be more devices like this one.
“I used the top Gigawatt PC-4 EVO for comparisons. With the solid-state power amplifier Mod Wright the PC-1 EVO trailed it closely; with the single ended triode I liked it better with most of the repertoire. Despite the lack of the PowerCon socket and despite being connected with a lesser cable, the sound was very live and open in the top octave. The PC-4 EVO sounded with more timbre and pastel, when compared to the smaller brother, but also heavier, nobler and with more composure. Objectively the PC-1 EVO is sharper, but powering the SET power amplifier was absolutely a bulls-eye. An injection of energy and an element clearing the space. Even if some bass disappeared, the whole became more energetic, sportive, but not thinned out. There was not trace of glassiness. The rhythm speeded up and drive appeared. The impulses were even more punctual, but not at the expense of losing the tissue of the sound.”
“The PC-1 EVO is not as sublime and does not have such bass as the PC-4 EVO, but its liveliness and energy are contagious. It can breath life into a system and place the sounds very well in the timeline. It can also underline the attractiveness of your system, bringing an element of spice in its sound.”
Author: Jacek Kłos
Full review
“It is hard to believe, how clear the difference was. I expected a more velvety sound, but in case of “power cleaners” we often lose dynamics. Ladies and Gentlemen – in this case I was not able to notice this – at least in case of dynamics. The whole extent of dynamics is preserved, despite me trying out the most heavy artillery, making the job of the small PC-1 from Gigawatt as difficult as possible. The powerful amplifier Dan d’Agostino, which I connected to the output of the device, sounded without restraints. Due to special filtering it sounded a bit more velvety and cleaner than before, while at the same time it was able to extend the full potential of its power and expression.”
Author: Christian Rechenbach
Full review
“Switching over from a power strip to the basic Gigawatt conditioner was clearly audible, and you could say, was another step in the direction, to which the PC-3 SE EVO accustomed me. Of course the road to the, almost top, model is still long and rough, but it would be hard to imagine a better candidate for the first conditioner owned. First of all, you could hear more body in the whole spectrum, more tissue filling the contours, as well as some introduction to the juiciness heard from the 3 combined with the LS-1 MK2 power cord. However to not make the test too easy for the device, I decided to make it sweat a bit more and changed my Electrocompaniet, which is not one the weakest integrateds by itself, to the Gryphon Diablo. Well, you know the stereotype, that cheap conditioners mud the sound. And the smallest Gigawatt? Well, when those stereotypes were produced, its constructor – Mr. Adam Szubert, must have been to busy with something else, so he did not hear them, because … there is no mudding. Zero, null, nothing. Thrashmetal cacophony of the string pickers from Megadeth (“Countdown To Extinction”) and 4ARM (“Submission for Liberty”) did not have any signs of softening or calmness, and due to the cleaning of lots of trash from the power grid, they did not hurt my ears, but invited to turn up the volume to concert-like levels. My neighbors were surely not happy, as I managed to really cross over the borderlines and the bas was not only well heard, but also felt. Reaching for an even more demanding repertoire (Rachmaninov „Symphony No.3” / Paul Kletzki & Suisse Romande Orchestra) I was also not disappointed. Big orchestra, many planes, and that ones of the most troublesome – not only there are many rows, but there are also many musicians in each of them, did not make any impression on this modest conditioner. Fortunately the Gigawatt did not soften the almost laboratory precision of the Gryphon, it did not average or wash out the further planes, allowing to create a vast, natural and live musical stage, full of timeless musical beauty.”
Author: Jacek Kłos
Full review
“Taking into account the capabilities of the conditioner, its quality and cost of making, price performance ratio then the Gigawatt PC-1 EVO is ideal.”
“You cannot ignore the part of protection offered by the PC-1 EVO to the devices it powers. It protects them from surges, atmospheric discharges or other events that can pass through your power grid. But the most important thing is the perception of the quality change while listening to music with and without the Gigawatt conditioner. This change is comparable to that separating the Parisian sky, polluted with exhaust gases and the blue sky in the mountains: in the first case the sky is filthy, light is pale, colors are dull; in the second case there is deep blue color, the light is vivid and shiny and colors explode with clarity. So we recommend the PC-1 EVO with conviction, to all, who cannot afford to but a higher model, one of those we have already tested on our pages.”
Full review
PC-1 EVO
HiFi Choice, Poland, December 2009, BEST BUY
“The PC-1 will make your system gain freshness.”
„PC-1 was tested in a home cinema system, powering a Blu-ray player, receiver, TV set and an active subwoofer. In this configuration, the treble profited most; they were completely cleaned from any harshness, and fed our ears with more details. The sound became broader and less aggressive in perception, and this happened without impairing dynamics, which is so important in a home cinema setting. The picture on the LCD screen had improved colors, became also very fluent and sharp.
And in the stereo system a very pleasant, velvety smoothness appeared in the whole frequency spectrum, as well as sweetness in the midrange, while the bass pulsated with incredible might and depth. Our attention was also drawn by a splendidly reproduced sound stage, devoted from any ‘dirt’ between the virtual sources.”
PROS
“It does not limit the dynamics of the power amplifier, and this is a very important characteristic of a conditioner. It does work very well not only in the audio sphere, but also in video – it improves the quality of any kind of TV set”
CONCLUSION
“PC-1 is currently the best conditioner in the market at its price level that can compete with much more expensive products.”
Author: Arkadiusz Ogrodnik
Full Review