Balance, detail and design.

Could deliver a little more bass at lower levels, but this can be my set of speakers. They are demanding more power than this intregrated can apply. You can, however, buy a additional poweramp. and bridge them into 250watts (!!) instead of the 70watt output you get originally.

This is a great intregrated amp. I most certainly can recomend. It's balance between dynamics, detail and treble is almost perfect. I think it has a bit sharp mid-range, but I think it's my speakers. Because in the shop, it sounded extremely warm and relaxed. On my speakers the music sound much more detailed though. It's really a matter of taste. Dont't connect this amp. to very demanding speakers. It's not a 300 watt powerplant. But if you match it with a pair of efficient floorstanders it will probably play more than loud enough... And, I can't forget, the looks. It's 1cm thick glass front mounted on a rounded, black chassi whith the four round, goldlike buttons placed in a cross is the most beatiful disign I know of. And not to mention, the blue light that indicates the volume placed in middle over the, also beatiful, power button. Gives me shivvers. Even the back of it looks good. In norway it's much cheaper to. So if you live in norway the value for amount of money is outstanding!

Only one more thing; remember it has to warm up for two hours before the music really opens up and the dynamics kicks in.

Similar Products Used:

None that I can think of.

Romantic and full sounding amplfication. Large soundstage with lack of grain or hardness.

Would like to see better quality Binding Posts from factory. Easy upgrade. DIY

I was currently using an Audio Refinement Complete in my main 2-channel music only system and was planning on upgrading to the Integre DT. I had demo'd both units and the Integre DT was a night a day difference over the Complete as well as it should be at twice the price. I was planning my purchase and then a good friend of mine who owned an Electocompaniet amplifier, talked me into giving the ECI-3 a try.

I was literally floored when I heard it on my speakers in my listening room. No offense Yves, but thanks for playing. The ECI-3 bested both YBA's hands down in my listening room. This amplifier has a smoothness that is combined with a subtle dynamic punch that just works on all kinds of music. Not to mention, it is a gorgeous piece of equipment and has remote volume and switching.

The build quality is also top notch and the unit has a nice feel and weight to it. I would strongly suggest giving this amplifier a listen when looking at the usual suspects in the 50-100W integrated amplifier market. This amplifier is truly a bargain at it's pricepoint. Thanks for reading!

My System:

Electrocompaniet ECI-3 (Amp, of course)
Pioneer Elite PD-65 (Transport)
Theta Pro-Basic II (DAC)
Nakamichi CR2A
Sonus Faber Concertino HOME (Speakers on Sonus Faber Stands)
XLO Reference Type 5 Speaker Wire
XLO Reference 2 Type 4A Digital Cable (75Ohm)
XLO Reference 1 Interconnects
MIT Z Power Cords Used Throughout

Dedicated Listening Room 11 x 12 (Acoustically Treated)

Similar Products Used:

YBA Integre DT, Audio Refinement Complete, Bryston B60, Musical Fidelity, and Creek.

Powerful, yet refined and natural

Difficult to integrate with my sub

I've owned a Simaudio Moon I-5 integrated for a little over a year. A couple weeks ago on a whim I bought an Electrocompaniet ECI-3 to compare it with.

Associated equipment:

Theta Pearl CD transport
Kimber Illuminations D60 digital cable to DAC
Bel Canto DAC 1.1
Cardas Golden Cross interconnect to amp
DH Labs Silver Pulse interconnect to sub
NHT SW3P subwoofer
Analysis Plus Oval 9 biwired speaker cable

Both units present a very large soundstage extending well beyond the boundaries of my ProAcs, however I feel the ECI-3 has better depth. I've read that many people feel the ECI-3 has tubelike qualities, so I was surprised at how dynamic it was. While not quite as lively as the Moon I-5, it wasn't far behind.

Highs are quite extended with the Electrocompaniet, but not as tipped up or pronounced as with the Simaudio. Playing the same material on both amps, it's quite obvious that the ECI-3 is the one I'd listen to for longer listening sessions. The Simaudio while recreating tophats and cymbals with more realism also sounds slightly like a snake hissing when Diana Krall sings the letter "S". The ECI-3 completely avoids this. Diana's voice comes across more liquid and natural with the Electrocompaniet. As a result, I play the ECI-3 louder than the Moon I-5 and am less fatigued.

Another difference is that with the Electrocompaniet, no matter what the volume level, the sound balance remains the same. In contrast, at lower volume the midrange of the Simaudio seems to get sucked out and as a result the treble seems exagerated.

While acoustic instruments were rendered beautifully on the Simaudio, I was always disappointed that classical and rock sounded thin and dry. Not so with the Electrocompaniet. All genres of music are presented satisfyingly and with surprising power.

The biggest contrast is in the bass reproduction. With both amps I use the preouts to feed an NHT SA3/SW3 12" subwoofer. With this setup the ECI-3 has much tighter and controlled bass. In general, the Moon I-5 seems to go deeper and have an overall softer presentation. With the Simaudio the bass is always there. With the Electrocompaniet it's not always apparent the sub is on, but when a bass note is struck it attacks much harder than the I-5. Much of this may have to do with impedance mismatching with the ECI-3. To get the bass to blend as well as with the Simaudio, I need to turn up the gain much higher on the ECI-3. The result is that bass reproduction is completely different with the two units. This may not be a factor at all if one is using full range speakers.

The Electrocompaniet seems to be a better fit with my components, in my room. The ProAcs probably don't like amplification that is on the lean side. However, both are outstanding amps. The ECI-3 can't match the sparkle and life that the Moon I-5 gives dull recordings, but overall it's just a more musical experience. If you're considering these two amps, definitely try and audition them both. My opinion reflects my tastes with my equipment only. That being said, I'll be keeping the Electrocompaniet.

Similar Products Used:

Simaudio Moon I-5

beautiful midrange, excellent soundstaging,very well made and designed product.

costs too little...

I had been very, very happy with my musical fidelity A1000 for quite a while until, unfortunately,it blew up! This is Apparently a common occurence with this piece as it is heavily biased into class A with no regard for longevity...Better to burn out than to fade away I guess. Next up was a YBA integre DT, very nice for a little while, but then it became quite fatiguing to listen to: clean, clear and fast but with no substance and no romance,a little relentless and lean...Maybe it was a poor match for my Audio Physic speakers, I don't know, but it had to go. So enter the ECI3...
This is a very sleek and well designed amp, build quality is superb and the amp is modern in appearance and operation.
There are balanced inputs and outputs,a preamp out for bi-amping, a real remote that works from across the room and the cool level indicator is visible from your listening seat as well. This amplifier is rated at 75 watts but sounds much more powerful. The tempo's woofers are under tight fisted control and the dynamic headroom available is very impressive, even at ridiculous volume settings the sound is always coherent and clear with no apparent distortion or muddling of images and soundstage dimensions.
This is very impressive performance for a $2000.00 integrated. There's more, The midrange is perfect,clear and present with no trace of hardness or grain.Margo timmins' voice on the trinity sessions cd was beautifully portrayed,
the clarity of the midrange serving to convey all of the subtle inflections in her singing very clearly. Riveting.
Soundstaging and imaging are also strong with good depth and presence and very good reproduction of stereo effects,
this is important to me and is the reason I choose Audio Physic speakers.The Electrocompaniet did not disapoint and is in fact a perfect match for my speakers. The bass is well timed and slam and articulation are very good.The treble is maybe not as extended as the YBA but it is very well balanced with lots of detail.The overall sound is natural and musical,a real "audio instrument" as it says in the owner's manual. The bottom line for me is that my system is now again a source of pleasure and I am enjoying my CD collection once more. This is the highest praise I can give a component and I have to say that this amplifier has exceded my expectations. Well done Electrocompaniet!
BTW, I purchased this unit from oliver at delve audio(delveaudio.com}.He is a real gentleman, a hobbyist and not a salesman, very refreshing and highly recommended.
Cheers!

Similar Products Used:

creek integrated, jolida integrated, musical fidelity A1000,
YBA integreDT

Its sound is clear, detailed

Its manual is only three pages

I bought it as substitute of my old Yamaha home video (2070)and I link it with Micromega AVP Minium as processor D Digital and DTS. The stereo sound is warm, clear and very detailed and the DD is really nice. I think that is the best option for audiophiles that want share his/her passion with his/her family (TV watchers). Is like renew your music collection and start to listen again.