Pacific Accessory Corporation PAC-1 Level Controller
Product Details
Manufacturer: Pacific Accessory Corporation
Website: link
Typical Selling price: £19.80
The LC-1 or level controller one, is a simple knob-in-a-box and as such is used to attenuate (or, conversely, let through) a signal via RCA leads. Most commonly used to feed and control the level from your bass amplifier but may be used for any line level control. While many bass amplifiers have remote gain controls, with dedicated plug systems and long cables to connect them to the dashboard from the amplifier, this one works on the same principle of a remote volume knob but can act as a universal remote level gain control for any amp with RCA inputs. It simply inserts in the RCA cords so it can control any signal feed. It is designed to be fastened to the underside of the dash via the provided self tapping screws. Fitted with neatly labelled RCA cords with female RCA connectors.
– High quality smooth-adjust potentiometer
– Range: +/- 8dB
– Machined Aluminium knob
– Decals but no illumination
– One foot long, heavy duty Red/White Female (socket) RCA cords with durable ‘˜Input’ and ‘˜Output’ labels
– Self-tapping screws supplied in blister pack
Editor review : Pacific Accessory Corporation LC-1 Level controller
{If all you need is the product summation in briefcheck out the line in bold.}
The knobinabox that is the LC-1 is simply the most iconic widget of all time. It has quietly and ably got installers out of the mire time after time for all time. Using the principle that too much electronic trickery between you and the music is not good, the LC-1 is an audiophile’s boon, as well.
For while nearly all users are going to just put their bass system on maximum boom and then rein it back or let it roar at will with this device, it can also be used for fine balancing of much more sophisticated set ups. Or just for wicked demo-car reasons as it has a very fine and smooth adjustment range, far better than any electronic ‘˜pretend-knob’ that we can afford for car use, which are of course, stepped.
This knob can be mighty and possessed of great power.
Ian ‘˜Iceman’ Pinder has one, as the final say in the level going to those six magnificent HCCA dustbin lids, via six pure Yankee V8 style Orion amps. Huge, powerful, a bastard to run for their juicy needs! But, in a gesture only slightly more intimate than wife swapping, Ian has let me play with his system once. It was one of these that I had as part of the whole balancing act and it was brilliant.
Likewise, I used this review one in my video rig. I have finally fitted an OHM or Over Head Monitor shelf-dummy to my test bench and first overhead monitor reviewed will be the Nesa NSC-909 nine inch screen. I made a veritable paean of praise of the LC-1 by way of video by standing the camera on the desk and using the much bigger and easier to see in the corner of your eye overhead monitor to check what I was doing with the product as I proffered it to the screen. But I didn’t want the headunit to complicate things. I plugged the camera’s AV out analogue tip-ring-ring-sleeve 3.5mm jack and connected up the three RCAs. One to the screen and one to the Genesis Stereo 100 test bed amplifier’s inputs. Turned it on and it roared worryingly loud though the Bowers & Wilkins LM-1 monitors I use. I chuckled at the need to actuallt use the LC-1 knob yet plugged her on in and yes
The LC-1 is a straight wire with attenuation.
For of course, then I could adjust the level into the amplifier with great precision and no induced noise whatsoever.
A note on ‘˜Gain Structure’
Just in case you were wanting to use one of these and were fretty about having yet another place to turn stuff up and down, don’t forget that the only actual ‘˜up’ you have is at the output’s line output amp (headunit) and the actual power amp. This is only an attenuator.
So, when setting up your system for bass in particular, install the LC-1 and turn it all the way up and then leave it thus while you set up your amp gains at their optimum levels for power without distortion. Ideally, without the likelihood of blowing your speakers if the headunit sub output is played at full chat. Then, you rein back the bass to sane levels and let it out as you see fit, safe in the knowledge that you can’t destroy your toys.
Use for more sophisticated systems can get as complex as balancing a stick on a sweaty nose while roller skating on melting ice.
The LC-1 is a brilliant, audiophile-grade clean potentiometer with sweet adjustment.
Long may it rein yet as the Boss Knob, easily a State Of The Art accessory.
Overall 9.6
Build Quality 9
Appearance 9
Ease Of Use/HMI 10
Effectiveness 10
Value For Money 10