Amplifier Electrocompaniet ECI 6DS
Initially looking for this model in the catalog company of digital sources (network player after all!), As found in section integrated amplifiers, which, in general, too, it is reasonable - the device is a very serious and exceed the capacity of the other components of the line Classic. So what is it that is - integralnik with the network adapter, and USB-DAC interface or network audio player with built-in output amplifier?
Three months ago, we met with the staff of a similar type - network receiver Revox Joy, but his account did not raise such doubts. Playback files over the network and USB-drives - the main feature of this model, and built-in amplifier in a compact unit does not have a strong personality and works on the general concept of "disappearance" of art in the interior. Absolute priority is the free space with a minimum of foreign elements (ie, equipment). So what to do - do not like the apartment equipment designers, and therefore try to disguise it. Many manufacturers willingly respond to this "social order" - for me personally, as an avid lover of art, this "opportunism" sad. While I understand: he who pays the piper calls the tune.
Equipment Electrocompaniet - a very different kind, it does not try to be compact and inconspicuous, to merge with the background and disappear into the environment. Its design may like it or not (it is a matter of taste), but it in no way affects the design of the device. If the creators of the model decided that the power amplifier should be 2 x 125 watts into 8 ohms and 2 x 200 watts into 4, hence the dimensions are relevant, since the circuit analog and needs in the proper power supply transformer 500 VA.
Speaking of power. It is even higher than that of integrated amplifier ECI 5 MK II, on the basis of which was designed by our hero. The front panels of the two models are almost identical, and the external differences can be found just behind. At ECI 6DS this antenna Wi-Fi-adapter, Ethernet-network connection and control block (trigger inputs and RS-232) and digital interfaces (pair Coaxial, Toslink and USB), while the ECI 5 MK II - an increasing number of analog inputs in particular, perhaps balanced connection to one of two sources with the network amplifier. But at ECI 6DS is (besides the usual RCA) balanced outputs PRE-OUT - a very useful thing for the organization of high-quality connection for bi-amping. Emphasizing the presence of input HD - it allows you to use the power amp ECI 6DS in home theater systems, thus solving the problem of switching between the front speakers stereo amplifier and receiver.
Internal differences in the two models also exist. In particular, an improved power supply, an improved preamplifier twice the number of output transistors, and, as noted above, increased power, which together improves stability and control of a complex load.
From its predecessor "six" has got a bank of filter capacitors capacity of 80,000 uF and branded overload protection system, will get rid of the mechanical relay - the output is fed directly to the speaker terminals (by the way, very high quality). Switching inputs of analog switches class High End - they practically do not distort and retain their properties for the whole service life. Motorized volume control has a balanced design, as well as the amplifier itself. The input stages are assembled from discrete elements and operate in class A, without feedback. In general, everything is as it should be an amplifier of the highest class.
Of all the AV-equipment the simplest in terms of management are amplifiers: input switching, volume control, well, except that more transfer in and out of standby - that's all the functions assigned to the remote controller. "The shares" to the amplifier DAC virtually nothing here does not change, only adding to the position of the selector inputs - unless, of course, the design of the converter may not be switched between the sampling frequency and parameters of digital filters (which is rare), but it's not too complicated control. Other business - network player: need to configure network interfaces, navigation through the displaying information about the currently playing content (preferably - with graphics), etc. That is, the player needs a network display, better - color. Most machines of this kind that we've tested previously, were equipped with their own LCD screens often small - a diagonal 3 - 4", which by today's standards a bit, even for free. That's enough, when you are in the immediate vicinity of the device, but it is necessary to go back in a chair, and a display becomes useless.
Solve the problem is simple: it is necessary to equip the machine with remote control screen. These control devices are available for a long time, but their main drawback, the complexity of programming, disappears when the remote control is a staff and is prepared to work in a factory. Which, incidentally, does not exclude the possibility of its fine-tuning - a software for this can be downloaded from Electrocompaniet. In the catalog of the device is referred to as ECT 4, powered by batteries, and their charge is carried out with the included stand, the connected, in turn, to any computer or most ECI 6DS via USB.
Now imagine that you forgot to charge the console, and he "dies" in your hands. For such situations provided an extremely simple and elegant solution: the kit includes a traditional remote control without the screen and other bells and whistles that can run for several years by a pair of batteries AAA. So familiar that it even paid attention to the user manual. With it, you can switch to an existing system analog source (eg, CD-player), and adjust the volume. But you can not play music not only on the network, but also with USB-drives. By the way, about the USB. As mentioned above, there are two: type A and type B, the first designed to play with flash drives and HDD or remote charging, the second - to connect to a computer as a USB DAC. Drivers for implementation of all interface (signal reception up to 192 kHz/24 bit) can be downloaded from the company website. I note in passing: ASIO support available.
As for the controls on the body ECI 6DS, they are traditional: switching inputs and Volume Control is carried out rhombus of four brass buttons on the right. Left - matrix display with a rather large characters, but it only appears on the active input. But the volume level is displayed in small digits on the remote screen and LED indicator around the logo. On the remote screen can see Yeshe bitrate playback file, image tags and cover (provided that it is in the folder with the music), and of the clock.
The setup procedure is simple enough, and if the connection to the network is on the wire, the problems do not arise. Access to Wi-Fi is also configured without too much difficulty, and only those who are doing it for the first time, will have to look in the manual.
Of course, to complete the work with the network data will have to take care of your home DLNA-server. In principle, also nothing particularly difficult for those who are already doing this. The documentation for this topic delicately costs, apparently, its authors assumed that the installation of the device will take the experts. Although for some reason I think that most of those who might be interested in this technique, the home network has been built, and ECI 6DS acquired, to provide high quality sound. Now we find out how justified such hopes.
In my possession three sources: two CD-player (Bryston BCD1 with balanced output and Primare CD22 with conventional RCA) and the built-in file player ECI 6DS. On disk devices run two identical copies of test CD, and on our the test - made them with the files FLAC. Change inputs and fix differences. Especially do not have to strain all sources have pronounced.
Canadian heavyweight (literally and figuratively) gives a distinct incredibly, detailed sound with a monumental stage and volumetric imaging. But at the same time it reveals the defects of old records - tape noise, extraneous overtones.
Swedish unit plays softer, more intelligent, more reserved. And reveals the finest musical details that are often outside the attention of Canadians. Sounds exactly and yet expressive. Though not as sculpted as Bryston. Perhaps this difference is due not so much to the design of the two players, but with different connection methods.
Built-in player ECI 6DS first clearly losing disk sources - rude, albeit very energetic. But half an hour later the situation is changing: the unit warms up and the dirt out. But there are dynamics, pressure, careful handling of items, naturalness and a general feeling of comfort, a desire to listen and listen ...
Disconnect disc players and move on to the fun part - files Hi-Res 24 bits 96 and 192 kHz.
Orchestral music - a hurricane. With the loudest moments of the system copes with a bang. Scene - Stable and holography. The effect of presence is impressive. Requires only a little imagination to present himself for conductor's stand.
Control bass undivided. On some recordings showed extremely low bass, which had not heard before - it turns out, our small in size floor speakers can radiate them. In fact, they are, of course, voiced before, but were not as clearly and expressive. Perhaps that is the sense of improving equipment - open in your favorite music that did not notice it before.
