News & Stories

Mar 02, 2018

Introducing the ECM 1 next-generation network music player

The new ECM 1 is a streamer and player, complete with the dac-section from our acclaimed ECD 2. It plays lossless, DSD and high-resolution digital content in a way that really makes you want to dig deeper into all...

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Proprietary Volume Control

The EC 5 uses Electrocompaniet’s proprietary, fully electronic volume control — a decade in development — that eliminates mechanical switches, relays or stepped attenuator contact paths in the audio signal. It offers extremely fine resolution (about 0.1 dB steps across 1000 steps) while keeping the signal path length and topology constant regardless of volume setting.

Key architectural features

The EC 5 is a fully discrete, balanced, dual-mono preamplifier operating in pure Class A with independent power supplies per channel and heavy storage capacitance. That hardware platform (plus the “AmpliWire”/high open‑loop‑bandwidth topology and low negative feedback) reduces distortion, keeps phase coherence, and preserves channel separation.
Dual‑mono layout and strong channel isolation reduce crosstalk, so left/right separation stays vivid even at low playback levels—critical for depth and lateral imaging.

Unlike volume implementations that change attenuation topology, insert switching, or introduce varying impedance/phase shifts at different settings, the EC 5’s approach aims to keep the electronics “disappear” and the recording’s spatial information intact from whisper-quiet to room‑filling levels. The result—when combined with good amplification and speakers—is more consistent staging, stable instrument placement, and preserved holographic depth across volume.

Constant signal path and no switching means the electrical length, impedance and phase behavior don’t change as you move the volume—so imaging cues (timing and phase) remain stable at any level. Very fine, repeatable steps (0.1 dB) let you set absolute level without upsetting channel balance or relative microdynamics, which helps keep the soundstage center, depth and instrument positions intact.

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