PC-4 EVO+ Reference Power Conditioner By GigaWatt

The PC-4 EVO+ is a reference device, designed to provide power High-End class audio and video devices. PC-4 EVO+ is the quintessence of many years of research and development of an uncompromised power conditioner. The PC-4 EVO+ not only provides very effective protection against interference and power surges coming from the power line, but it guarantees a significant improvement of the quality of sound of the devices connected to it.

Note: This is the 2022 version of the PC-4 EVO+.

Features:

• Printed circuit boards with increased layer thickness
• Filters based on High-Flux cores
• Distribution rails made from silver-plated, highly conductive copper (99,995%) with 45 mm2 cross-section
• Two-pole hydraulic-magnetic power switch from Carling Technologies
• Two-pole internal relay 6500W
• Proprietary capacitors with enhanced capacity
• Enhanced buffer compensation batteries
• Anti-overvoltage circuitry with enhanced efficiency
• PowerCon 32 A input power socket
• Twelve output sockets
• Ultra-rigid chassis made from non-magnetic stainless, austenitic steel
• Reference anti-vibration feet Rolling-Ball Isolation System

CONSTRUCTION

All internal elements of the conditioner were enclosed in an ultra-rigid, non-magnetic chassis made from stainless steel with austenitic structure. To reduce the vibration passed onto the conditioner, its chassis was additionally damped with a composite bitumen-polymer mat.

The entire chassis is suspended on reference, anti-vibration feet equipped with an innovative solution – Rolling-Ball Isolation System. This is a design made from two parts (external and internal) made from solid aluminum, with two runs with balls in-between them. The role of the system is to minimize the number of contact points between the foot, and then the conditioner, with the shelf it is put on, which translates into a significant reduction of mechanical vibration, which negatively impacts the work of the internal elements of the conditioner degrading its sound. Another isolation element, on which the whole construction is supported, is the proprietary elastomer, 5mm thick.

The front panel of the conditioner is made from a thick slab of aviation-grade aluminum. Its surface is brushed, after precision milling, and then anodized black or silver.

The PC-4 EVO+ has twelve, high-quality proprietary power sockets (US, AU, or Schuko) with large surface contacts. The brass contacts of the sockets were subdued to the process of technical silver plating without the usage of intermediate metals, like copper or nickel, which could introduce an unfavorable serial resistance and a voltage loss. The increased surface of the contacts and the thick layer of silver guarantee good contact with the plug pins. The sockets were additionally cryogenically modified and de-magnetized.

In the central part of the front, there is an LED display indicating the voltage of the input current. The precise voltmeter is very resistant to distortion and measurement errors caused by upper harmonics, at the same time not generating any interference, which would impair the quality of the power filtered by the conditioner.

The conditioner is also equipped with an additional circuit signaling the wrong connection to the power grid. Its action is indicated by a red LED on the back of the unit, which signals the wrong polarity of the device or faulty grounding.

TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS

The conditioner PC-4 EVO+ is equipped with three, independent filtering branches, which supply three sections, composed of four output sockets each. Due to this solution, the kind of filtering was adjusted for the load it has, different for each type of device – digital, analog, or high current devices. Autonomous passive filters allow for isolation from interference produced by the devices connected together via a shared power line.

The PC-4 EVO+ is based on a novel filtering architecture, where the most advanced and uncompromised components were used. The main novelties are the anti-interference capacitors and the compensation batteries for the buffering circuits, which are manufactured by the company Miflex, according to GigaWatt specification.

In the PC-4 EVO+ an innovative, two-stage current distribution system is used, a proprietary design of our company. It is based on massive third-generation distribution rails, made from polished slabs of oxygen-free copper OFHCC 10100 with 99.997% purity. The first stage allows for lossless and even distribution of voltage to each of the filtering branches. The second stage provides current directly to each pair of output sockets via bolted and clamped connections as well as cabling with conductors with 4QMM cross-section made from oxygen-free copper isolated with FEP Teflon. The star connection topology and high conductance combined with the 45 QMM cross-section of each of the rails allow for a uniform and stable power distribution regardless of the load on the individual outputs of the conditioner.

Due to the improved efficiency of the filtering circuits, they were mounted using silver solder on massive PCBs having fifteen times the amount of copper compared to standard PCBs. The dual-layer PCBs have very wide traces made from silver-plated copper, with a combined thickness of 550 micrometers. The interference is damped by filtering blocs of RLC type, built around proprietary Audio Grade capacitors and HF (High Flux) core filters.

The newest version of the PC-4 EVO+ is equipped with special capacitors – with higher capacity and more efficiency than in the lower models. Those capacitors are manufactured by a renowned and valued company on the specialist market, Miflex, according to GigaWatt specifications.

In the conditioner, there are no traditional protective elements, like thermal or blow fuses, which throttled the free flow of the current have a negative influence on the sound. The surge protection of the conditioner is provided by the starting block, which utilizes plasma spark-gaps, UltraMOV new generation varistors, and an initial filter. Overload protection is provided by a two-pole hydraulic-magnetic switch from Carling Technologies, made in the USA to a special specification from GigaWatt. This element controls the amount of current flowing through the internal circuits and additionally serves as the unit’s main power switch. All those elements working together with a well-made, contemporary power grid, guarantee a complex protection against surges and overcurrent.

The internal construction of the elements of the PC-4 EVO+ conditioner allows for transferring loads up to 25A constantly (and 90A peak), of course, if the power grid can handle that. Such a big reserve is not required for the lossless power transfer from the power grid, but to have an oversized reserve of power for peak, impulse loads. The power reserve is fundamental for powering powerful power amplifiers, which load the power line to values many times over the nominal load. The main power supply socket is a professional PowerCon 32 Amp one with silver plated pins, able to transfer a stable current of 32A. The maximum load of 25A is almost three times the typical load of similar devices using the popular IEC socket.

To allow for the maximum impulse response, the PC-4 EVO+ is equipped with a double buffer circuit with Audio Grade compensation batteries, a proprietary design. The circuit increases the current output with non-linear loads, like power amplifiers, as well as eliminates the difference of power between the input and output of the conditioner. This allows for almost unlimited impulse capabilities, unheard of in other passive conditioners and not reachable for active conditioners. The impulse capabilities of the PC-4 EVO+ surpass even the values of a clean power line without any devices connected to it.

The standard equipment of PC-4EVO+ is also DC Offset Blocker – a circuit eliminating unwanted DC components of the power grid. This DC component is a very deteriorating phenomenon, which exists in almost all power grids. It results in the sinus wave of the alternating current become non-symmetrical (non-sinusoidal) and has a negative impact on all devices using transformers. It causes their cores to become magnetized, which increases their noise, diminishes the efficiency of power supplies, and lowers sound quality as a result. The DC blocker allows eliminating this phenomenon effectively, without causing any compression or any other negative influence on the sound.

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.

Christian Punter
“The PC-4 EVO+ is quite unlike any other conditioner that I have used. For a change, it does actually deliver on the promise of not reducing the expressiveness or dynamics, rather, it increases the liveliness and dynamic impact while allowing the music to flow more freely and organically. Put simply, the PC-4 EVO+ acts to remove restraints without any penalties.
Do note that the unit does not deliver on its promise right away. It needs some time to settle but once it has, you will not want to part with it again!”

“If I had sufficient funds, the PC-4 EVO+ had not been allowed out of my system again.“

https://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/review/accessories-reviews/gigawatt-pc-4-evo-plus/

Jeff Fritz
“Based on what I heard in two different systems, each with its own challenges and performance envelopes, I can unequivocally say that the GigaWatt PC-4EVO+ works: It improved the sound of my main audio system by washing away a subtle grain that I could again easily hear when the GigaWatt was then removed from the circuit. My second system, with far worse noise caused by an Extollo Ethernet-over-powerline adapter, was treated even more successfully: the noise vanished entirely.

With exemplary build quality, and its ability not only to power large amplifiers and associated electronics with apparent ease, but to improve the sound of a system by eliminating noise, the GigaWatt PC-4EVO+ really does do all that a power conditioner can be asked to do. It will meet the requirements of most audiophiles looking to clean up the power feeding their audio systems. I know it meets mine.”

https://www.soundstageultra.com/index.php/equipment-menu/907

Author – Le Dexun
“The sound of PC-4 EVO + is very clear and natural – invigorating, like mountain spring water. The conditioner does not add excessive cold and artificial color to the sound, it reveals a clean, natural side of the recordings and equipment.”

“The dynamic fluctuations with PC-4 EVO+ are very fast, and clean. Replaying the “Danza Pastorale: Allegro” of Lu Siqing’s “Four Seasons:Spring”, the violin is light and sweet in high definition, the string group is dense and delicate, light and lively. The soft sound is full of air and full of life.
Replaying the Allegro of the “Summer”, we hear the powerful stringing and squeaking of the hot sparks. The energy is abundant, and the powerful stereoscopic image is revealed! “

“With PC-4 EVO+, the dynamic margin is far-reaching. The bounce is stronger, the sharpness is higher, each note contains a richer level, the resonance structure is more differentiated, the mute details are better. And it is like if the sraight line was more straight. The beauty of the rise and fall!
I disconnect the PC-4 EVO+ and listen again. Everything came unpredictable!”

“When the full set of audio system is powered by PC-4 EVO+, the sound is not limited in anything. On the contrary – we get a fierce, full of vitality dragon. The lower registers go down even at the edge, they are strong and powerful. Don’t forget that the amplifier is a pair of Audio Research Reference 160M large monophony with 4 KT150 strong-release tubes per channel. This is the most complete energy test that shows how powerful the PC-4 EVO + capabilities are.
Replaying the “Dynamic Experience Classics Volume 1” “Stravinsky: Firebird”, the bass drum is still playing strongly. The drum skin is thick and tough, and the residual sound is vibrating. The energy texture is abundant, the tapping is vivid. A powerful group of strings harmonizes with the voices creating a broad, dynamically unlimited sound field with a simultaneous high degree of clarity, accuracy and balance.”

“PC-4EVO – the flagship conditioner from Gigawatt, specialized in High-End power devices. This is the top model in the hierarchy of the company, with a unique construction and utmost level of manufacturing quality and durability. Supplied with a dedicated LS-2 cable.”

“It is capable of creating a realistic musical spectacle with the full scale of dynamics and richness of detail.”

Oh Seung-Young
“During listening to “Case of You” Diana Krall, the full background became visible. The conditioner made me feel, as if I am taking part in a realistic, live spectacle. Behind the big, front plane, filling the entire space close to the listener, there was a clear, clean background, making the scene alive.”

“The vocal and dynamics were definitely stronger, than when the system was connected without the conditioner. The enchanting piano had also brilliant harmony and power. The amount of reverberation and decay brought the singing of Diana Krall directly to my room.”

“When I listened to “Agnus Dei” in Misa Criolla, the delicate expression of gradation bounced off the slightly washed out further planes. The sound of the instruments was detailed and obvious, and the harpsichord, which was heard to the right, transmitted more information.”

“Although the wideness of the left and right parts of the scene seem to be the same, the layers between the individual planes are thoroughly leveled, what leads to an incredibly stereophonic scene. The positioning of the vocals in the choir becomes even clearer. The harmony and climate of the whole ensemble is enriched, and the whole scene with all the nuances. Is the scale of dynamics more differentiated? The gradient is much more dramatic. The background is darker, and taking into account the brilliant imaging of this recording, the wideness of the changes can be defined as very big.”

“If you want to filter the power, “condition” it, then in a way Gigawatt does it. Its most expensive power conditioner is fantastically manufactured and does something like a “total cleaning” in the system. Treated as a full-fledged element of the system it will pay back not only with better sound, but by protecting it.”

Jason Kennedy
I was a little reluctant to try the Gigawatt on my ATC P1 power amp because conditioners that work on high power amplifiers are like gold dust; in fact, the only one I’ve found (Isotek EVO3 Super Titan) costs a bundle and makes most power amps seem compact. But I was glad I did as the result was fascinating and not dissimilar to that achieved with the Class D amps. This time, however, the transition was from A/B to a Class A sound, so much so that I lost many hours to the charms of the resultant effects. Ultimately, connecting the Gigawatt to the ATC P1 power amp gave the sound an ease and finesse; an effect you would have to pay significantly more for than the price of the power amp and conditioner combined. Immensely revealing, beautifully timed, tonally rendered, and totally fluid, the effect was like listening to a powerful valve amplifier with very little in the way of valve character. The music became engrossing, and tracks like the bass heavy ‘Limit To Your Love’ [James Blake, R&S], which often overpowers the room, became pure and radiant.

I also tried the Gigawatt with digital sources, the Melco N1A NAS/transport via an Ayre QB-9DSD, granting the music a vinyl like quality – and I’m not talking about pops and clicks; rather, the music sounded cleaner and more fluid, and could be played at higher levels without discomfort, with brass still blasting out when it should. Connecting the already extremely natural sounding Ayre produced bigger imaging, full-scale soundstages with fine detail, and gave texture to bass lines that had sounded amorphous while making lyrics easier to understand.

I have reviewed a few conditioners and regenerators over the years and always had positive results, but pound for pound I don’t think any have come close to this. The Schuko factor is a pain, but it might well be something to do with the final result, so it’s a pain with gains in terms of resolution, finesse, and musical coherence. With the Gigawatt, hearing is believing if you want to take your system into another league.

http://www.hifiplus.com/articles/gigawatt-pc-4-evo-power-conditioner/

Wojciech Pacuła
GigaWatt’s system delivers higher dynamics than the Japanese one. Sound seems even more open with it. The proportions between mid-bass and the rest of the range are more accurate. A differentiation of the soundstage is better, and so are both range extremes. I also think that Gigawatt took a selectivity of my system at least one level up.

The biggest disadvantages of power conditioners is some limitation to dynamics they introduce for power amplifiers connected to them. Soulution 710 is particularly sensitive in that area as it is a particularly dynamic amp. Any change to its dynamics is always clearly audible. To my surprise there was no sign of any limitation with GigaWatt. What’s more, I was under impression that this power conditioner even further improved my amplifier’s dynamics. The Polish conditioner defines more precise images thus allowing listener to look deeper into the soundstage. On one hand everything that is happening in the front of the stage seems closer than usually, on the other listener can “see” deeper into the soundstage. It’s like the space between the front and the back of the stage became clearer, more transparent and that’s what allows to look deeper.

“GigaWatt is the first Polish company and one of the few, which we decided to award with the GOLD fingerprint. We award its all to-date activity, condensed in the best products – the conditioner PC-4 EVO (DCB) and the power cable LS-2. For us this is a real pleasure, for the company a commitment. We believe, this is not the end, but the beginning of the road for GigaWatt.”

http://www.highfidelity.pl/@main-542&lang=en

Wojciech Pacuła
GigaWatt’s system delivers higher dynamics than the Japanese one. Sound seems even more open with it. The proportions between mid-bass and the rest of the range are more accurate. A differentiation of the soundstage is better, and so are both range extremes. I also think that Gigawatt took a selectivity of my system at least one level up.

The biggest disadvantages of power conditioners is some limitation to dynamics they introduce for power amplifiers connected to them. Soulution 710 is particularly sensitive in that area as it is a particularly dynamic amp. Any change to its dynamics is always clearly audible. To my surprise there was no sign of any limitation with GigaWatt. What’s more, I was under impression that this power conditioner even further improved my amplifier’s dynamics. The Polish conditioner defines more precise images thus allowing listener to look deeper into the soundstage. On one hand everything that is happening in the front of the stage seems closer than usually, on the other listener can “see” deeper into the soundstage. It’s like the space between the front and the back of the stage became clearer, more transparent and that’s what allows to look deeper.

“Gigawatt is free from the limitations usually bugging the conditioners. It does not damp dynamics; it even enhances it, especially in the micro scale. It does not worsen the contours of the bass – it cleans them and makes them sharper. We get better clarity. The sound becomes more vivid and the space clearer. We hear more, and we hear better. The Gigawatt is expensive, but quality has its price. And here the quality od the sound and manufacturing are really very high. If you are looking for a top power conditioner for a high-end system, then you should listen to the PC-4 EVO.”

Jacek Kłos
“The PC-4 Evo should receive a diploma, the highest possible grades. It is the best Gigawatt conditioner by far, and the best device Adam Szubert created in his career. It presents the state of the art sound and has this nobility and charm – however those descriptions would not sound when describing a conditioner – which fit the high-end systems”.

“We get more clarity, details and energy. More differentiated and less noise in the sound, listening to which gives more joy. Inevitably we are coming to the statement, that the presentation became more musical. But can a conditioner be musical? It seems like it can.”

“The difference between listening connected directly to the wall and listening through the Gigawatt is very high, this is why the PC-4 Evo will stay in my system, until Gigawatt does not come with something even better. It will not be easy, because the “four” Evo presents a very high level.”

Conclusion:
Truly state of the art level of manufacturing and sound. The Gigawatt PC-4 Evo is objectively so good, that for the first time I am not missing the Shunyata. And that it is expensive, well… quality must cost. Please listen to it.

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: 22 000 A
Dimensions (W x H x D): 440 x 160 x 400 mm
Gross weight: 20.9 kg