Review samples supplied by Ohm Audio
Retail prices in the Netherlands, including 21% VAT:
PF-1e – 330 euro
PF-1 EVO – 660 euro (including power cable)
PF-2 EVO – 1250 euro (including power cable)
GigaWatt was founded in 2007 by Adam Schubert – an electronics engineer and audio passionate. The combination of passion and many years of experience in constructing power devices gained in his previous company Power Audio Laboratories was used to design novel concepts, new projects, and unique technological solutions. Most materials and components used in the company products are made by the company or according to proprietary specifications. GigaWatt quickly gained a reputation as a brand that has exquisitely made products and competitive pricing.
One of the Production Rooms
Measuring Station
The recent years have been very effective. In 2017, the company modernized the research and development center and equipped the measurement laboratory with the PA2201A, a top-class power analyzer from Keysight Technologies.
Keysight Technologies PA2201A power analyzer
Three Power Strips Compared
For this review, I will compare all three of GigaWatt’s Power Strips. There is a lot to say about the techniques that go into each of them and all that can be read further below, but in short, the three Power Strips share a few important common goals. They are all made entirely from steel and surprisingly heavy, they all have a C14 IEC input allowing you to use any power cable you like, they all include Surge Protection based on plasma spark-gaps and MOV varistors, and they all contain filtering of the parallel sort which means that the current capacity is not limited. Indeed, all three Power Strips are rated for 16 Ampere and 3680 Watts at 220-240 VAC.
As you step up from model to model, what is offered extra are thicker conductors, better, silver-plated output sockets, more elaborate and more refined filtering components, indicator lights, and an ever more solid build.
PF-1e
The PF-1e is a simplified, economical version of the PF-1 MK2 Power Strip. Keeping a similar main filter architecture allowed for the same level of protection to the connected devices, while savings in used components lowered its price significantly. This latest version has been further improved which has reduced the differences between the entry-level model and the next model.
At the very competitive price of 330 euros, the PF-1e comes without a power cable. For an extra 165 euros, one can also order a PowerSync power cable (normal price 240 euros) or for an extra 215 euros, a PowerSync PLUS power cable (normal price 360 euros). Naturally, one could also pair the Power Strip with even higher-tier GigaWatt cables, or use any other cable. However, the most synergetic sound (further enhancing the Power Strip’s character) will be with the PowerSync range of cables.
The architecture of the main anti-interference filter and the overvoltage protection remained unchanged compared to the PF-1 EVO strip and even the entry-level model includes Surge Protection based on plasma spark-gaps and MOV varistors. Interference is blocked by an RLC filter block. It was built around high-quality metalized polyester capacitors with low inductance and an IP (Iron Powder) filtering core. All elements of the filter are mounted using silver solder on a massive PCB with large cross-section traces.
GigaWatt resigned from using traditional protective elements like cartridge fuses or thermal fuses, which have a detrimental influence on the sound as they throttle the current flowing to the protected device. The overvoltage protection of the Power Strip is based on a cascade of protective elements like plasma spark gaps and a new generation of UltraMOV varistors. Working together with a properly made in-wall electrical grid, this setup guarantees complete protection against overvoltage and overcurrent.
The PF-1e may be the company’s entry-level Power Strip but it weighs 2,5 kilograms and is built incredibly solidly.
The massive chassis of the Power Strip is made completely out of metal. It constitutes also a perfectly sealed shield protecting from RFI and EMI interference. The internal cabling is made from copper conductors with a 2.5 QMM diameter. There are six Schuko output sockets, presumably Nickel-plated, which at the price would be expected. The PF-1e is also available with NEMA 5-20R sockets, used in the United States and some Asian countries, as well as Australian-type sockets AS/NZS 3112.
The PF-1e has an IEC input socket, which accepts all kinds of power cables. The strip is available in two versions: without cable, or with a 1.5m power cable. To maximize the potential of the PF-1e we recommend the usage of the power cable PowerSync or PowerSync PLUS
PF-1 EVO
PF-1 EVO is the latest, modified version of the basic filtering Power Strip, designed for power distribution and protection of budget audio and video systems. The main change of the PF-1 EVO is internal cabling based on the company’s GigaWatt Powerlink copper wire OFHC, 4 mm2 cross-section.
Above: PowerSync and PowerSync PLUS
The PF-1 EVO’s price of 660 euros includes a PowerSync power cable but for an extra 130 euros, it can also be ordered with a PowerSync PLUS cable, or for an extra 270 euros, step up further with an LC-2 EVO cable.
The strip is made using high-quality components. The distortion is filtered in an RLC filtering block. It is built using metalized polyester capacitors with low inductance and an IP (Iron Powder) filtering core. All components of the filters are soldered to a massive PCB with a large cross-section of the traces, with silver solder.
In this strip, GigaWatt 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. Protection against overvoltage and power surges is guaranteed by a multi-stage protection circuit, composed of plasma sparks and a new generation of UltraMOV varistors. Those elements, working together with a well-designed, modern power grid, warrant complex protection against overcurrent and overvoltage.
The PF-1 EVO uses an innovative current distribution system, being a proprietary development of the company. It is based on massive power distribution bars of 2nd generation, made of polished, high purity, cathode copper slabs (Cu-ETP). This system distributes the current directly to each pair of output sockets, using crimped and screw-tightened connections and GigaWatt PowerLink cabling made from OFHC copper, with a cross-section of 4 QMM wires. 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 strip’s outputs.
The PF-1 EVO Power Strip is equipped with six 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 PF-1 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.
The PF-1 EVO’s chassis may look very similar to that of the PF-1e but its significantly increased weight of 3.8 kilograms (instead of 2,5 kilograms) is a clear sign of its increased solid build.
The massive and durable chassis of the strip is made from metal. This creates a perfectly closed shield, protecting the inside filter and power distribution system from RFI noise. The Power Strip is also equipped with a LED signaling proper function and power available on the sockets.
The strip is equipped with a high-quality IEC socket, allowing the user to connect any power cable. As standard, the Power Strip is delivered with the PowerSync power cable in a 1.5m length. To fully utilize the maximum potential of the PF-1 EVO, GigaWatt recommends the usage of the PowerSync PLUS or LC-2 EVO power cable. Having reviewed these cables myself and being a great fan, I fully concur with that recommendation!
PF-2 EVO
PF-2 EVO is the improved version of the advanced filtering power strip designed to power and protect Hi-Fi audio and video systems.
The PF-2 EVO’s price of 1250 euros includes a PowerSync power cable but for an extra 100 euros, it can also be ordered with a PowerSync PLUS cable. Alternatively, for an extra 245 euros, you can step up further with an LC-2 EVO cable. If you want to take it to the max, you can also order this Power Strip with a PowerSync ULTRA cable for an additional 750 euros (normally 1125 euros).
The strip is made using high-quality components. The distortion is filtered in an RLC filtering block. It is built using metalized polyester capacitors with low inductance and an IP (Iron Powder) filtering core. The EVO version uses the highest quality capacitors manufactured by Miflex according to Gigawatt specifications. All components of the filters are mounted with silver solder on a massive, double-sided printed circuit board with very large cross-sections.
The strip doesn’t have the typical protective elements, such as fuses or thermal fuses, which throttle the free flow of current to the protected circuits and have a negative effect on the sound. Protection against overvoltage and power surges is guaranteed by a multi-stage protection circuit, composed of plasma sparks and a new generation of UltraMOV varistors. Those elements, working together with a well-designed, modern power grid, warrant complex protection against overcurrent and overvoltage.
The PF-2 EVO uses an innovative current distribution system, being a proprietary development of the company. It is based on massive power distribution bars of 2nd generation, made of polished, high purity, cathode copper slabs (Cu-ETP). This system distributes the current directly to each pair of output sockets, using crimped and screw-tightened connections and GigaWatt Powerlink inner cabling with a cross-section of 4 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 strip’s outputs.
The PF-2 EVO Power Strip is equipped with six 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 PF-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.
Being much taller and at 4,9 kilograms again significantly heavier, the PF-2 EVO’s chassis is built differently than the other two. All internal elements of the Power Strip are closed in a double metal chassis. This enclosure is a perfectly tight shield against RFI and EMI noise. The strip is also equipped with a LED indicating proper operation of the device and a circuit indicating wrong polarization of the power line or wrongly connected grounding.
The strip is equipped with a high-quality IEC socket, allowing the user to connect any power cable. As standard, the Power Strip is delivered with a PowerSync power cable in a 1.5m length. To fully utilize the maximum potential of the PF-2 EVO GigaWatt recommends the usage of the LC-2 EVO or PowerSync ULTRA power cable. Having reviewed these cables myself, and being a great fan, I fully concur with that recommendation!
Next: System Context, Listening, and Conclusion
