Electrocompaniet ECI 6 MKII Fully Balanced Integrated Amplifier

It is a masterpiece based on more than 40 years of experience in the development and production of amplifiers of the highest level, so the description of the new stereo integrated amplifier from Electrocompaniet AS, the new Electrocompaniet ECI 6 MKII Fully Balanced Integrated Amplifier from the EC Classic Line.

The Norwegian company Electrocompaniet AS has a long tradition in the field of high-end hi-fi solutions, with a wide range of solutions. From D/A converters, streaming systems, CD players, phono preamplifiers and record players to amplifiers, Electrocompaniet AS offers almost everything to create a hi-fi chain of the highest quality.

Although this wide range of different solutions can be shown, the amplifiers from Norway in particular are considered to be extremely fine solutions. For example, the latest solution from Electrocompaniet AS, the Electrocompaniet ECI 6 MKII Fully Balanced Integrated Amplifier, is described as a true masterpiece based on over 40 years of experience in the development and manufacture of amplifiers. This is a classic high-end amplifier, where a deliberate focus on the essentials has been achieved to guarantee a solid control centre for high-end hi-fi chains.

In essence, this is a concept whose approach was founded by Matti Otala as early as 1973 and which is still the central design philosophy for the solutions of Electrocompaniet AS.

The new Electrocompaniet ECI 6 MKII Fully Balanced Integrated Amplifier is based on a fully balanced design, as the name easily suggests, with the input stage discretely designed in Class A without feedback. In the output stage, on the other hand, a moderate amount of local feedback is used, according to the manufacturer’s description. The manufacturer paid close attention to the right balance between a controlled but powerful bass response, detailed open mids and a detailed, warm image in the upper frequency range.

The new Electrocompaniet ECI 6 MKII Fully Balanced Integrated Amplifier is based on the extremely successful Electrocompaniet ECI 5 MKII, but for further improvements an even more sophisticated preamplifier module was used, in addition an even more powerful power supply is used, and of course it features the current design line of the EC Classic Line, according to the manufacturer’s promise.

The aim is to create an extremely versatile amplifier that can control a wide range of different loudspeaker systems.

The Electrocompaniet ECI 6 MKII Fully Balanced Integrated Amplifier is not lacking in power, as it delivers 125 watts twice to speaker systems with an impedance of 8 ohms. If these have an impedance of only 4 ohms, 200 watts are already available twice, with an impedance of 2 ohms it would even be 370 watts twice.

Four analog inputs are available on the new Electrocompaniet ECI 6 MKII Fully Balanced Integrated Amplifier, three of them designed as unbalanced RCA jack pairs, one balanced in the form of XLR connectors. In addition to the obligatory solid screw terminals for connecting the speakers, a pre-out is also available, one unbalanced as a pair of RCA sockets, the other balanced in XLR. Of course, trigger connections are not to be missed, nor is an RS232 interface, so that problem-free integration with other products to form a comprehensive control system is possible.

The new Electrocompaniet ECI 6 MKII Fully Balanced Integrated Amplifier naturally features the new design line of the EC Classic Line, which Electrocompaniet AS introduced in the last few months on all MKII models, thus guaranteeing an even more elegant appearance of the systems. The solidly constructed housing is adorned at the front with a Plexiglas cover, behind which the generously dimensioned display is concealed, and in which the few brass buttons, which are ultimately sufficient for convenient operation directly on the device, are seamlessly embedded.

The new Electrocompaniet ECI 6 MKII Fully Balanced Integrated Amplifier, with dimensions of 470 mm in width, 430 mm in depth and 128 mm in height, weighs an impressive 20.5 kg.

The new Electrocompaniet ECI 6 MKII Fully Balanced Integrated Amplifier is already available from specialist dealers, with the manufacturer quoting a recommended retail price of € 5,458 for this new solution of the EC Classic Line.

Finally, it should be mentioned that in addition to the Electrocompaniet ECI 6 MKII Fully Balanced Integrated Amplifier, the new Electrocompaniet ECI 6 DX MKII Integrated Amplifier is also available, which has an integrated streaming client. Since a modular design was used here, the basic version can of course be upgraded to this.

Getting to the point

The new Electrocompaniet ECI 6 MKII Fully Balanced Integrated Amplifier is based on the extremely successful Electrocompaniet ECI 5 MKII, but for further improvements an even more sophisticated preamplifier module was used, in addition an even more powerful power supply is used, and of course it features the current design line of the EC Classic Line, the manufacturer promises.