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Description
: GigaWatt's PC-4 power line conditioner is a powerful device in an aesthetically, functionally and mechanically well executed chassis. It is one of the best designs I've ever seen except perhaps for the wonderful Accuphase PS-1210 or PS-510V. The PC-4 weights 50 kg and is delivered in an extremely solid case made from scrap wood to be ecological packaging – a green point for GigaWatt! Two people have to take it out of the case. Don't even try to do it on your own. Most of the weight is placed near the front of the device which is made of thick brushed aviation-grade aluminum but the weight comes from two huge isolation transformers. There is a big red LED display acting as a volt meter. During the entire duration of the review it showed a rock-solid 235V, i.e. 5 V more than our standard line voltage. The display sits behind an acrylic plate. There are no push buttons, knobs or anything except for that LED display on the front of the PC-4.



At the back we get what it is all really about - sockets. There are twelve at your disposal - 4 separated outputs with 1500W for sources and digital units, 4 separated outputs for 1500W of analog devices and 4 high-current 3500W outputs without transformers or coils in their circuit. All outlets are Schuko types without ground pin but two silver-plated contact pins manufactured exclusively for GigaWatt. A high-quality Gigawatt LC-2 HC umbilical with a PowerCon 32A plug is standard. The PowerCon is a far superior connector to an IEC and widely used with professional devices. It was developed by the Swiss Neutrik Company and is based on SpeakOn connectors which were developed for speakers. Another pro-arena Powercon HC type socket with silver-plated pins serves as power inlet. It is able to carry a continuous current load of 32 amperes.



The mains switch which also controls the max current is a Carling hydraulic/magnetic breaker capable of passing a continuous current load of 25A. This version of the switch is manufactured in the USA according to Gigawatt's specification and only for them. This advanced costly safety element eliminates the flaws of common circuit breakers and the averse effects of sacrificial fuses with their limitations on power output.


Inside the PC-4 there are four shielding cases—two for separating the transformers with a combined rating of 3000 watts and two for filtering elements—and a big PCB for all wire connections. On the back panel there are sockets connected with thick silver-plated bars. As mentioned above, the PC-4 was designed to be able to carry continuously current of 25A, assuming the power grid is able to deliver it. The same then applies to the internal parts of the conditioner. Such a huge surplus in power capacity is not needed for lossless power transfer from the grid but to have a current reserve for peak impulse loads.



A current reserve is a fundamental thing when supplying current to power amplifiers capable of peak loads up to 50A, many times higher than their nominal values. GigaWatt's maximum load is almost three times higher than necessary for devices using a standard IEC inlet that carries current of 10 to 16A (depending on the standard). In Poland we have a nominal 230V power grid with a nominal 10A current value. Still power-hungry amplifiers occasionally peak up to 50A. The PC-4 was developed with modern CAD techniques to optimize the layout of its internal circuits and the highest-quality advanced high-current safety parts and connectors.



This conditioner is equipped with a passive anti-noise filter and a galvanic separation circuit. The multistage anti-noise filter is mounted on a massive double-sided PCB with wide silver-covered traces. The function of the filter is supported by a buffer circuit (three times the  size of the one in PC-3) with a new-generation compensation cell to increase the current output of the conditioner with non-linear loads (like power amplifiers) and to decrease the difference between input and output power. Galvanic separation is achieved with two powerful, low-noise toroidal transformers with triple electrostatic shields and a shield to lower the dispersion field. The current from the filters is transferred to the output sockets by means of distribution bars, twisted connections and large cross-section silver-plated copper wires insulated with FEP Teflon. The power distribution system is composed of massive distribution bars made of thick copper slabs. Separate bars leading to each socket allow for stable and even power distribution regardless of the load on each socket.


opinia @ highfidelity.pl


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