Reference CD player
Since 1998, Electrocompaniet has produced one of the best sounding CD players on the market, the EMC 1-UP. The new EMC 1 MKIV builds upon this legacy and refines by using a new drive unit. The player has a high-performance sample rate converter, fully balanced D/A converters, and discrete analog audio circuitry for excellent performance. It features a unique cancellation system that cancels acoustic/mechanical vibrations, preventing the laser pick-up from receiving unwanted and sonically degrading signals. The audio quality surpasses our own EMC 1 UP, arguably one of the best CD players on the market today.
Product highlights:
• No-compromise mechanical design with five different housings, which shield analogue, digital, transport, transformer and controller circuitry.
• Electromechanical cancellation system which cancels acoustic-mechanical vibrations, preventing the laser pickup from receiving mechanical distortions.
• Separate transformers and power supplies for analogue and digital circuits.
• Fully balanced D/A converter with fully balanced discrete analog audio circuitry.
• Digital outputs via S/PDIF and Toslink.
•12V trigger input for remote power ON.
• RS232 port for firmware upgrades and control through a wide range of home installation systems.
• Soundcare superspikes for the best possible footing.
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Electrocompaniet products are sold internationally through a network of authorized distributors and dealers selected by Electrocompaniet. These representatives have been chosen for their ability to properly represent Electrocompaniet. Unfortunately, Electrocompaniet products are sometimes sold by companies that are not authorized to do so. These unauthorized resellers do not purchase products directly from Electrocompaniet, they acquire the goods from other sources. Due to this nature, Electrocompaniet goods sold by unauthorized dealers are not entitled to Electrocompaniet warranty coverage. We urge you to use caution when making a Electrocompaniet purchase from an unauthorized reseller. they come through shady “gray market” channels and there will be NO WARRANTY. Electrocompaniet only honors warranties on products sold through Authorized Electrocompaniet distributors and dealers. Authorized Electrocompaniet Dealers will NEVER match the prices offered in these shop and on these sites. We offer exceptional products and we invite you to hear that difference. Sit down today in an Authorized Electrocompaniet Dealer’s store and listen — one more thing those online sites can’t offer — an in-store demo! Please check with your local distributor or us if you are uncertain, or contact us.
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.
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.