ELECTROCOMPANIET ECI 6 DX MKII

We were electrocompaniet dealers we have the very similar ec 6s model still.on the floor 

Dave and Troy

AUDIO INTELLECT nNj

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNKpDF2dW6A

@audiotroy 

What can you tell me about the sonics?

@lak

Thanks for the link. Watching that video is what originally piqued my interest. However, he is never enthusiastic about anything for very long before declaring, with great fanfare, that something else is "the best". I started the thread to see if I could get any other impressions.

They get great reviews in Scandinavia, it’s a well liked brand, although the prices has risen quite a bit lately.

@gryphongryph 

Have you heard any of their components? 

Huff is exactly that all huff. 

WaYYY back when,I had an ECI3 driving Monitor Audio RS1's & it was quite pleasing but when I changed speakers to Sonus Faber it was far to dark sounding,almost veiled...You will notice Huff is using mostly Triangle speakers with the ECI6...I suspect with the right speakers the Electrocompaniet is beautifully musical but probably not so much with already warmish speakers...IMO the SimAudio 340i is a better all arounder,with a better Warranty & better North American support system for about the same $...

@freediver

Thanks so much for your very helpful comments!

It is supposed to be VERY good..I would disagree with earlier posts and say this unit is better than the Sim Audio, which is old tech now with their new north series. 

@jc51373 

Thanks for your comments. 

There are reviews around.  Also I own the ECI 6D, which is a version with a built in DAC, no streamer. 

I think it's really good ,gorgeous sound.  Tonality is excellent, and I like it better than tthe PS audio stellar strata integrated which I also owned at one time.  Two different sounds though one was not better than the other really, depends on your preference.  

My ECI 6D is collecting dust now however, as I have moved into separates with a pre-amp that is tube based from Rogue Audio, and two mono block amps from Auralic.  DAC is the Cyan2, though the onboard dac in the EC is no slouch and has slightly warm character. 

It took a lot to unseat it as my favorite.  The EC is apparently a well known name in the EU, but not so much here in the US.  They make excellent sounding components are are well worth a listen.  

I own the non-DAC/streamer version and like it quite a bit. It does not have quite the level of three dimensionality of my tubed gear, but it is very good and without any sense of harshness. It's a smooth and fairly lush sound while still retaining detail. The controller is a bit awkward in that it has oddly chosen labels for the inputs (HT, DVD, CD, and AUX). DVD and AUX are just a standard line level inputs, while CD is a balanced input. HT is home theater which I know nothing about. Who uses a DVD player in a $6200 integrated? Why is the balanced input labeled CD? Why not just balanced? It seems like they just repurposed an old controller which is odd in a flagship integrated amp. In reality it has very little impact on day to day use, but I dislike half-measures and this seems like a fairly simple thing to reprogram. All in all, it's a great sounding amp that can handle 2ohm loads which allows a very wide variety of speakers. It's also dead quiet. 

@patrickcarey , @jmalev 

Thanks for your comments 

How hot does the ELECTROCOMPANIET ECI 6 MKII Integrated Amplifier get? Can I place it in a Salamander Designs Wooden Cabinet 66” with an open back, front and sides? I have 5" of clearance above the amp. Thanks.

It runs warm very musical open and airy sounding great midrange warmth it drives any loudspeaker and is always engaging

I just received my ECI 6 today and I must say this is a very musical amp. I can see how this amp might not be for all taste, but what amp is? Details seem to come from out of nowhere. Very strong and grunty bass.  Of one hint of grain. Smooth as butter. I have 4 other amps. Pass 250, Hegal 390, Mac 352, Accuphase 380.  Compared to my pass it does not sound as large or tall.  

@dwest1023 

How does it sound compared to the Hegel? I have a 390, too. 

@stuartk 

Since I rotate 4 amps it’s been a while since I’ve listen to the Hegel. I can say the ECI 6 has a much stronger bass or slam if you will. However as of right now I prefer the sound of the Hegel

@dwest1023 

Wow -- that's surprising. Strong bass has typically been one of the commonly perceived attributes of the Hegel. 

What is it about the Hegel you prefer "right now" ? 

I enjoy the warmth of the Hegal and its  very articulate bass. It sounds good with any types of music. The ECI 6 has Krell like forceful  bass. The Hegal in contrast has a more relaxing sound which I prefer. However my ECI 6 is only 2days of playing so I’m sure it needs some break in time. 

@dwest1023 

Thanks so much for that further clarification. 

I'm actually pretty happy with my H390. 

I had better (better extension, more presence in the mix) bass with a stand alone DAC than I do now using the Hegel's on-board DAC. I intend to remedy this when finances allow. . 

I suspect you are are correct about the ECI 6 needing break-in.