ELECTROCOMPANIET PREAMPLIWIRE EC-1

Pre owned. In fair condition. Shows several signs of wear, also visible in the photos. Original packaging not included.

The Electrocompaniet Preampliwire EC-1 is a preamplifier that embodies the long-standing tradition of the Norwegian manufacturer, active since 1974 and internationally recognized for producing high-quality audio instruments. Each unit is built at the company’s facilities on the west coast of Norway, where not only design and assembly but also the production of components are carried out in-house, ensuring full control over quality and long-term reliability.

The EC-1 project is based on a precise philosophy developed through extensive listening tests. The designers identified non-linear distortion as one of the main causes of audible imperfections and chose not to rely on heavy global negative feedback to reduce measured values. Instead, they apply local feedback limited to individual stages, avoiding an overall feedback loop from output to input. This approach improves audible performance while maintaining stability and tonal coherence, also addressing phase and interface distortion between stages.

The phono section features a fully passive two-stage RIAA equalization network using 1% tolerance metal film resistors and polypropylene capacitors. High-frequency roll-off components are placed as close as possible to the cartridge input to increase overload margin at the top end, while low-frequency boost is handled in the second stage to optimize signal-to-noise ratio and low-frequency overload behavior. All stages use cascode circuitry to improve linearity at high frequencies.

The power supply is designed with separate regulators for each stage and each channel, characterized by extended open-loop frequency response.

Compatibility with moving-coil cartridges is ensured by a system of interchangeable resistors for each channel, allowing precise adjustment of impedance and gain according to the cartridge specifications.

The front panel stands out for its clean and elegant design. The only rotary controls are the concentric volume and balance knobs on the right side. When the volume is turned fully down, most of the circuitry is deactivated while critical sections remain active, allowing immediate operation without warm-up time when the unit is in standby, indicated by a small red LED. No tone controls are present, in line with the unit’s purist design philosophy.

The remaining controls are toggle switches that manage tape dubbing, Tape 1/Tape 2 selection, Source/Monitor switching, input selection between phono, tuner, or CD, and gain selection with 0 dB, -20 dB, or full mute options. This configuration allows the user to operate the main volume control within its most linear range even at low listening levels.

The rear panel features neatly arranged gold-plated input and output connectors. The MM/MC selector switch is located next to the phono inputs, close to the ground terminal, while the power connection is positioned as far as possible from the phono stage to minimize potential interference.

Technical specifications:

• Gain at 1 kHz: MM phono 36 dB; MC phono 56 dB; CD 20 dB
• THD at 1 kHz for 5 V output: Phono < 0.0025%; CD < 0.003%
• Overload at 1 kHz for 0.2% THD: MM phono > 200 mV; MC phono > 25 mV; CD > 10 V
• Channel separation at 1 kHz: Phono > 80 dB; CD > 80 dB; Tuner > 90 dB
• Signal-to-noise ratio: Phono < 80 dB (A-weighted, ref. 0.5 mV)
• Equivalent input noise: Phono 0.2 µV; CD 3 µV; Tuner 0.4 µV
• RIAA accuracy: ±0.1 dB (20 Hz – 20 kHz)
• Overall loop feedback: Phono 20 dB; Line 20 dB
• Maximum output for 0.2% THD: > 16 V
• Dimensions: 43.9 × 8.9 × 26.4 cm (W × H × D)
• Weight: 6 kg