Electrocompaniet owners

I'd buy Balanced Audio Technology rather than EMC. In fact, I did (and boy am I glad I did!). The BAT stuff sounds fantastic, looks great, and is very reliable. You have a wide range of choices in the BAT amplifier and preamplifier line-up, and they brought out an awesome integrated last year that's well worth considering. It's comforting to know BAT cares about their customers and are available to answer questions, repair, or perform upgrades as required.

Bob,

I agree with Seth; if you are interested in Electro, do not discredit them over the one issue being mentioned.

EC has been around for 30 years, they didn’t achieve this by not being a good company. The aforementioned thread has brought people out of the wood work to thrash a company over a situation we do not even know the why’s and where’s of the Companies thinking.

The internet, has brought a whole new set of circumstances that companies are having to work with, some of which will be learned through trial and error.

If you are to go to www.mcintoshlabs.com, you will get the disclaimer that I list below. Here is just another example of another long standing company trying to confront new issues; where is the Mac outrage?

For the Consumer’s Protection:

In order to ensure the highest level of customer satisfaction, “new” McIntosh products may only be purchased over-the-counter or delivered and installed by an Authorized McIntosh Dealer.

McIntosh products that are purchased over the Internet, by phone or mail order are presumed to be “used” and do not qualify for any McIntosh Warranty.

McIntosh does not warrant, in any way, products that are purchased from anyone who is not an Authorized Dealer or that had their serial number altered or defaced.

***
That said, I believe the EMC1 to be an awesome player, but as for the rest of EC, I agree with the others that there is a lot of other equipment to consider as well; then again, that is not your question.

We are not talking about warranty - we are talking about service. Mcintosh will help you or audioclassics will help you get a unit fixed no matter where you bought it. I like EC products and as long as they working you are fine. When they break -- look out. This is experience talking not some guy thinking if you like it buy it.

All of what has been posted is accurate. While Electro has been around for 30+ years, they have historically been slow and/or uncaring about after sales service. It is both a combination of cultural differences between the US and Norway and the way the company has always been privately funded and managed. The CD player is great. The old 25 and 60 watt amps were the better amps. Their pre amps have always had problems.

MAS Imports were one of the best importers (now Camelot Technologies) and if they gave up, then think twice about Electro separates.

Stick with your Bel(great amp)and take the time to listen to and select a preamp that does what you want it to. Maybe you need to repost your thread and focus on recommendations for a new preamp. I have gone passive, and have not paid much attention to preamps for some time. But, I have listend to the following and like what I have heard. I am also familar with your amp. Consider CJ, BAT, Sonic Frontier, 47 Labs and Manley. Good luck.

Well Said, and thanks for a voice of reason.
Rusty