Electrocompaniet ECI 6DX MKII. The Soulful Music Maker.

Electrocompaniet ECI 6DX MKII Integrated Amplifier Review. The Soulful Music Maker. 

By Steve Huff

Video Review/Overview. This written review has comparisons and listening notes as well!

 

It feel like it has been about 30 years ago now when I first discovered the Electrocompaniet brand. They have been around since the 1970’s and are a company that resides in Norway which is where they make their audio gear and amps. For those “in the know” this has always been touted as a brand that “once you hear what they offer, it’s tough to go back to anything else”. Right now they are celebrating their 50th anniversary, and that is a long time to be in the audio game so they must be pretty dang good.

I was highly skeptical as I have been excited many times for a new integrated amp, and am rarely truly blown away. I also knew from reading reviews over the years  that this brand is known to have a soulful musical vibe and well, that sounded like it was right up my alley. I am delighted to be sitting here right now, listening to music on this amp as I write the review and this is day 5 of writing and listening. Before I started writing I listened to this integrated for many many hours as well as late night listening sessions, using various speakers.

The ECI 6DX II Integrated Amplifier

Back in the 90’s

Back in the late 90’s I would read audio forums and audio magazines often. There was a time that I really hoped to own an Electrocompaniet CD player and an amp to go with it. That never happened as I just didn’t have the funds at the time and it was pretty tough to find these on the used market.

It was just last year that I had a chance to check out the brands entry level integrated amp for a while, the ECI 80D. The 80D is a small-ish, light-ish and very stylish integrated amp. It packs a punch with its 80 WPC Class A/B amp and also includes a built in streamer and DAC. It has a warm leaning rich sound with clarity and an organic way of doing detail. It is musical as all get out and at under $4k is a remarkable option in the integrated amp game. It has its charms for sure and is also made in Norway. It may not look like a big huge fancy amp with its entry level speaker connectors on the back, but boy it has such a sound. I prefer it to the Hegel H190 which sits in the same (close) price bracket.

The Entry Level Integrated from Electrocompaniet is the ECI 80D, under $4k with DAC and Phono. This one also brings a similar (but not quite the same) sound character  as the flagship but with less power, different DAC, etc. This one is awesome as well, I had it here for a few weeks last year and really enjoyed it. Also has a phono stage. 

Even for a starter amp at under $4k I heard the character of the brand shine through. Just a bit of body and slight warmth, but this is a clear warmth, a big full throated midrange and a smooth treble that never fatigues. Punch, power and drive is what I heard in that 80d and it sounded very musical. It has 80 WPC so not a big bruiser but still enough for most speakers in normal sized rooms. I also remember how gorgeous that 80D sounded especially during some of my late listening sessions.

After this experience  I wondered what the flagship integrated amp would sound like from this brand. More of the good stuff? That is what I hoped for as I was digging the 80D, and my curiosity was aroused.

I did get the flagship 6DXII in for review and it didn’t take long to realize that this one was quite different from the rest that I have had through these doors.

Video of my top 5 fave integrated amps of all time – 2024 Edition. This amp makes an appearance here! Note, I am not saying these are “The Best” integrated amps of all time, just my personal faves of all I have tested and tried. 

Pure Class

For starters, this integrated amp exudes class & sophistication not only in looks and build, but in sound. The sound can be pure magic when paired up with the right speakers. I mean… it is capable of this if the rest of your system is. This is a sound I have not heard from other amps before wether they have been integrated amps or separate amplifiers. Wether they were cheap, expensive or exotic in price. I’ve just not heard a sound quite like this. This doesn’t mean it will be the sound for you but it just may be “the sound” you have been looking for as well.

The truth is I am very excited today to talk about this one. I’ve heard a ton of integrated amps over the last 35+ years and my faves over the years have come from Luxman (590AXII), Pass Labs (INT-250 and INT-25) and a few others like the Enleum Amp 23R, Avvik U-150 and even the under $2k Heaven 11 Billie MKII. There have been a ton of integrated amps I have enjoyed and really liked but only a select few I bonded with and absolutely adored for one reason or another.

This 6DXII is different from the rest and more to my tastes, but will it be for yours? 

The Electrocompaniet is the first integrated amp I have had in here that I personally like better than the integrated amps I have listed above. It doesn’t sound like any of them as I have proclaimed that the ECI 6DX II is a master of the heart, master of the groove, master of the soul. Yes, this one creates a human connection to the music without bravado, without fluff and without assaulting your ears with too much upper end treble detail. Well, the detail is all here but there is zero hardness, lean sound or brightness. The mid bass is also here and present, just as it should be! Many amps these days, the audiophile variety, seem to lack in this important area.

This amp also has very good dynamic range and goes from soft to loud in a dramatic way but once again,  never gets rough, hard or bright. It’s just music. Sounds like music. It’s not overly exciting nor is it the most holographic or spatial amp I have heard but it just has this “something” about its sound that really makes me take notice. It gets better the more you listen. What I mean is that you will start to enjoy it more and more as time goes on. It’s a slow burner for sure and this is a good thing for longevity. 

This flagship ECI 6DXII is a bit different in sound from the entry level ECI 80D and while it retains that full bodied sound it offers up more in the way of detail, soundstage depth, layering, refinement, texture, dynamic range and well..magic vs the starter piece.

I love the looks of this integrated all in one soulful music maker. 

I say “magic” but what I mean is this can be “magic” if you love that human touch sound of big, bold, warmth and detail with layers in the soundstage from front to back. Magic if you enjoy big 3D vocals that come out into the room dead center. This amp is not magical for throwing some big splashy airy bright details around but rather I call it magical for its ability to reproduce the musical signals in a way that just feels so right, so good and so pure. It’s also very transparent within the midrange and again, not usually seen when the bass is very present and rich.

This amp kept me up until 3am on many nights (and still does). This amp, using its internal DAC and streamer is very addicting and I just did not want to turn it off when listening. This ECI 6DXII also has had me shed some tears while deep in listening sessions…twice. I believe that when a music system connects with us, or allows the music to connect with us, that we can hear and even feel the emotion in some music that we ourselves can connect to and relate to. If a system has issues like it’s too bright, too warm, too flat, too dull, too bright, too airy or even too lean that this eliminates that chance of connection because we are too distracted and always noticing the deficiencies.

When all is right then our mind no longer focuses on the system, but rather the music. This was happening to me with every listening session.

The Features 

The ECI 6DX II is an all in one but the brand also sells a version that is exactly the same but without an internal DAC quite simply called the ECI 6 MKII. This one, the ECI 6 DXII does have a DAC inside and while I have heard some mighty fine internal DACs over the years, 85% of the time a DAC inside of an amp is just “OK” or even “Very Good”.

I usually prefer integrated amps without digital bits but the DAC and even Streamer inside of the ECI 6DX II is borderline AWESOME. More on that later.

Big Power, Big Current. This amp runs in Class A/B and puts out 125 WPC into 8 Ohms. 200 WPC into 4 ohms and a whopping 370 WPC into 2 ohms. Yep, this integrated is a powerhouse and I believe it can drive any speaker with effortless ease (I tested it with five sets). It has big current and big power so it doesn’t even break a sweat with hungry loads. This is one amp that will drive ’em all so it is sort of future proofed in that way. This amp, even with speakers that are 97db efficient is dead silent and without any noise. More on that in a bit as well.

The amp also comes with a plastic remote which I feel could be better (the weak spot) but at least it has a remote and it works well. One thing to note about the remote. After powering up the system it takes a good 30-60 seconds for the remote to “activate” and start working. This is normal and I asked to make sure.

This is an integrated amp that has classic EC bloodlines but with modern day digital and analog connections. This beefed up amp (that is quite large but only 45 lbs) is ready to stream out of the box using Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect and others. Just hook up your ethernet cable to the input or set up the WiFi and the amp will start up in MEDIA mode. You can then stream away using the Tidal or Spotify apps. You can also use the EC PLAY app which is quite good and bests many big money brands in this area but I still prefer using the apps of the streaming services like Tidal, Spotify, Roon, etc.

Made in Norway the ECI 6DXII is a stunner of an all in one integrated amplifier

This amp is also ROON READY which is also quite nice.

There is no phono stage here but I an ok with that as again (like DACs) most built in phono cards are average these days with a few rare exceptions. They can also add noise sometimes and this amp is 100% dead silent and with much blacker backgrounds than the HiFi ROSE RA280 I recently reviewed. With that amp I heard some noise from my tweeters on my more sensitive speakers as stated in the review. With this amp I get surgical silence from the amp and speakers. Here in my room this one is 100% Noise free and I love this as when noise is there it can obscure hidden details some.

Noise is our enemy in a well thought out HiFi System and when it is eliminated the music just seems to flow much better. Hearing that blackness between notes is nice indeed and truly takes up the performance. It doesn’t sound like it would but it does and I can always tell when a dead silent amp is in the system. The sound is just so much more refined and real.

Looks, Design and Build

Of all of the DACs I have on hand my fave way to listen was with my HiFi ROSE RS130 direct to the DAC of the ECI. The DAC inside is remarkable for a built in and my preference was for it over my external DACs. UPDATE: I managed to get in a sample of the Electrocompaniet ECM I MKII Streamer and DAC and this one is pretty incredible and DOES best the DAC inside of the ECI 6DXII but it will cost you over $5k to get this improvement. 

In person this amp exudes quality. You can see why it costs $7,500 retail and quite honestly, I could see this amp being sold for $13,000 in todays crazy audio pricing world. It has the looks and the sound to be at that level. I have seen some integrated amps priced in the five figure range that are not as striking in build or looks as this one.

The front faceplate of the ECI 6DXII is made of perspex and is very nice looking in person. The simplicity is striking in a minimalist kind of way. The amp has five copper-ish gold colored metal buttons that control the input and the volume as well as the power. Classic looks but again also quite classy.

There is no big 70’s era volume dial and at first I was disappointed that the volume was controlled by a button but even so I love this design now after some time with it. When you turn up the volume via the button or remote you see an orbital blue light turn around the logo on the front so you can see where you volume is set and I love this. Again, a touch of class with this extremely well built integrated streaming amplifier.

To the left is an input display that tells you what input is being used and this is dimmable and can be turned off via the remote using the DIM button. This works well in the dark when listening late night. No distractions.

There are three feet on the bottom vs four and it’s a solid feeling amp. Nothing fancy in regards to the metal casework but it looks and feels like an old school Elecrocompaniet amp, which is a great thing. Some will say that it looks like it came from the 90’s but this is because this is how this brands amps have looked for as long as I can remember. Kind of like McIntosh has looked the same forever with slight enhancements and changes. Same here so it does give off a classic vibe.

The connectors on the back are all very solid and I also love this as well. I recently (this year) had two amps have their RCA and COAX jacks come loose. One was a $299 all in one so expected, the coax jack just snapped inside when plugging in a cable. The other was a $12k integrated with loose RCA jacks that loosened more after three cable swaps.

The jacks and connections here on the ECI are all solid and I will have zero worries about them breaking. Everything here with this flagship amp is done right in regards to build. I always look at the small things to see the attention to detail and it doesn’t appear that Electrocompaniet has taken shortcuts here.

This one will have high pride of ownership as in the flesh it really is such a nice integrated amp, one I would be proud to own and I am not sure what it is but there is just something about it that charms me. May be different for you.

SOUND and LISTENING

I first tested the ECI 6DX II with its built in bits (the streamer and DAC) because this is how almost everyone will use it who buys this otherwise they would go with the NON DAC version and save some cash, right? 

The built in DAC is a tweaked and customized 24/192 variety, and by the way, the streamer also works with WiFi if you do not have an ethernet cable nearby. There is also a USB port to add a USB stick with your fave tunes of which the streamer will serve to the system. I did not test this as I do not have music on USB sticks.

I also wanted to see how it did when adding in some high tier gear such as an external streamer and DAC. I also tested it with my HiFi Rose RS130 streamer going into a LAIV Harmony DAC, a Denafrips Pontus 15th, the Built in DAC of the ECI as well as an Auralic Vega S1 DAC with Power Supply. UPDATE: Also tested with the ECM 1 MKII DAC from Electrocompaniet. 

I did this to see what the ECI 6 II without the DAC and streamer would sound like and to see just how much difference there was between an external box and the one inside of the ECI.

How I tested…

Sound from the internal streamer and DAC is somewhat detailed, open and with a wide stage and it also has a sweet smooth sound with really good imaging. Sounds wholesome, rich and beautiful and with body and warmth. It sounded lovely whether I streamed Tidal, Qobuz or Spotify. The classic legendary EC warmth is there in the mids, allowing vocals to sound big, full bodied and 3D. Never aggressive or hard, just smooth and detailed. If I had to nitpick, it could be a touch soft. 

Adding in the $5k HiFi Rose RS 130 streamer to the internal DAC in the ECI bumped up the refinement vs the internal streamer of the amp. It also added a bit of solidity and bass heft to the foundation, but again maybe 5-10% different. Layers were easier to hear. This DAC does the spatial thing well and I have to say that the internal DAC here is SUPERB and has pulled into my #1 fave sounding DAC within an integrated amp. Honestly, this is a great DAC inside of the integrated. 

Moving to the $2700 LAIV Harmony DAC from the internal DAC of the ECI brought out a larger more dense sound, more treble energy and a bit more punch. It also had the deepest biggest bass, along with a full bodied very detailed sound with a nice wide soundstage. You can tell this is a nicer DAC but some may prefer the sound of the internal as it is a bit gentler in the treble and has an even wider stage. This LAIV DAC allowed the sound to “Juice Up” a bit but the next DAC would bring something else to the table. Even with the LAIV in, the ECI 6DXII still had that EC sound which is so good. 

Going to the brand new Denafrips Pontus 15th tightened things up a little with a touch of glow in the midrange, more spatial qualities and while detailed and huge sounding again, it is slightly crispier than the LAIV. This DAC surprised me as it’s under $2k and sounds like a $4k DAC. I guess DACs are just getting so good these days. The 15th Pontus has quite a few improvements since the 12th-1 and sounds so good. Its bit of warmth and extra 3D qualities are quite nice in this system if that is your vibe. It just sucked me into each song, night after night and I heard extra details and more treble energy vs the older Pontus II. 

I then placed in the Auralic Vega S1 with power supply in to do DAC duties and it sounded closest to the internal of the amp with a touch more bass heft and a little leaner in the midrange (recessed vs out and full).

UPDATE: Finally I auditioned the ECM 1 MKII Streamer and DAC from EC and WOW! This streamer and DAC is remarkable. Used as a streamer and DAC going into the 6DXII showed me that yes, it can get better while retaining the signature sound of EC. It seems to bring more resolution, more depth, more spatial qualities and more layers. It took away one shade of dark and lit up the stage more. This is a fantastic streamer and DAC that brings the EC sound and was my fave of the entire bunch.

As for the internal streamer of the 6DXII, it is actually much better than other built in streamers I have experienced as of late. So easy, so fast, no dropouts when using the ethernet 1GB connection and it just works. If I listen to Spotify connect (which sounds remarkable here) the front display reads “Spotify” and does this with other sources as well. I also played from Tidal connect and here the music sounded amazing once again. I have not experienced a finer built in streamer. Again, no compromise here for streaming from services.

But yea, the DAC inside of this integrated is remarkable and seeing I prefer it to the $2k, $2700 and $3k DACs I have on hand here says a lot. The only one to best it was the brands own dedicated DAC.

BIG VOCAL MAGIC

The ECI 6DXII does something else that is very special and unlike other integrated amps I have heard in the past, and it does this no matter the DAC being used. The Vocals on most of the music I listened to was just beautifully presented with this piece.

The midrange is where the voice lives and this amp is presenting the midrange area with layers and details that emerge from blackness behind other instruments. I have heard many fine amps that do the midrange well and some that sound recessed and dry in this important area of the frequency range. Never have I heard it quite like this and with the right setup it’s goosebump inducing but also relaxed, natural and again, just feels right. Again, it’s the warmth, clarity and depth I am digging here. 

Speakers

I tested this with my Triangle Duetto 40th Magellan speakers as well as the Qualio IQ Ultra, OGY/BOB from Closer Acoustics, Borresen X2 and some Galion Voyager MKII SE. All speakers I own as part of my “reference fleet” for comparisons.

This amp is just about a perfect mate to all speakers I have on hand but my least fave combo was with the Borresen X2’s as those are warm speakers (in my space) so they do better with a more lit up amp like the Axxess Forte 1 or even an Enleum AMP 23R. Even so, this ECI amp had me and Debby up in the room dancing at midnight with the X2’s as they made my space sound more like a club at times with the ECI 6DX II at the helm. We were listening to some EDM and the bass was surreal and the highs smooth. When using the dedicated DAC from EC (ECM 1 MKII) the X2’s sounded amazing which showed me that yes. DACs make pretty big differences at times, within some systems.

When listening to this amp with the Qualio IQ Ultras its really changes the vibe of the Qualios. When I reviewed these speakers I mostly used a set of very expensive audiophile AGD amps and preamp ($18k). I thought the speakers had a midrange that was a bit lean and recessed and said so in the review.

Well, it wasn’t the speakers that had the leaner mids but more so the character of the amps I had on hand at that time. As gorgeous as those amps sound the ECI 6DX II makes the IQ Ultras sound much larger, beefier and the mids are now more fleshed out and in the room. Liquid, smooth, full and rich. All while remaining holographic though not nearly as open and holographic as when running the AGD pieces. Which is better? Well, I prefer the warmer more solidified presentation honestly but both are quite nice to experience. Those AGD amps really can dissect a recording and in a way that is very open, clear and holographic. It just lacks the bass in the mids that the ECI brings.

Now the IQ’s sound much more musical vs borderline analytical. It’s crazy and while some of you would prefer the very detailed 3D detailed vibe of the AGD some would prefer the richer, warmer and deeper presentation with the Electrocompaniet amp. This pairing has a magic  for my ears as it  just connects with me again and again.

With the IQ Ultra the ECI brought extreme musical sweetness and yet they remained open, large and presented a very big soundstage that was well organized but not as etched as an analytical amp would bring. Music flowed with a touch of honey vs the more crisp clear spring water nature of the AGD.

The ECI Magic Trick 

Yes, there is a touch of warmth here with the ECI but the sound is not warm overall. The mids have this warmth and glow in the vocal region while the treble stays extended yet smooth up top. The bass and mid bass is very well done and not held back or so tight that it sounds lean. There is a fullness to the bass that I do not hear with many audiophile amps as some of those tighten up the bass so much that the presentation gets a bit lean.

The ECI 6DXII is about perfect how it balances the sound frequencies with nothing sticking out or anything seeming out of place. This amp also does imaging in a beautiful way that is so natural, so realistic and not overdone or overcooked. It’s a magic trick that I do not know the secret to but it makes some beautiful music.

I had a Hegel H190 and H390 here for a bit and really enjoyed them for the muscular presentation and clean sound. The 390 has a high damping factor (4000+), which can tighten up the bass but I feel sometimes these high damping factors can suck some of the soul from the music. I never fell in love with any integrated amp that had a massive damping factor. The ECI has a damping factor of only 350 but for these ears, I much prefer the bass from the EC amp vs the Hegel. This comes down to personal preference of course and you rears may say otherwise. I am just a music lover giving his opinions and do not get paid for reviews. I do this as passion project, something l love. I just say it like I feel it.

I have learned over the decades that all in all I much prefer a natural painting of the musical image rather than a hyped up HiFi version of it. Audio is personal after all and we all have varying tastes. 

Moving to the gorgeous Triangle 40th Duetto Magellan speakers the sound is insanely sweet and full bodied as well as extremely rich sounding, I would describe it the same. Smooth, silky, sweet, open and with musical colors, warmth and drama. Many say Triangle speakers are bright yet I never heard one bright note from the Duettos. These are flagship speakers and are refined, smooth and have big bass punch with the ECI at the helm. These are the finest match and have perfect synergy with the ECI.

Again, this amp speaks the pure language of music, meaning it can connect with me much easier than brighter or more analytical amplifiers.

Does it ever get dull or boring? 

No way, unless you hook up some truly warm or veiled speakers to it! Remember, synergy is real. This amp made magic with my Qualio IQ Ultras which sounded a touch bright with some amps. Now they sound like a new speaker, a better speaker. The Triangle 40th Duettos are in no way bright or harsh and with the ECI amp they have a perfect synergy and sound that is so beautiful and with just as much bass as the big IQ Ultras, but also a touch more mid bass. These have inched their way to my top two two way bookshelf style speakers of all time. They are THAT GOOD and so lifelike and organic with the ECI 6DXII.

Even the Closer Acoustics OGY sound divine with the ECI and beef them up vs other amps. This is what the little OGY needed to tame them a bit in the treble and sound larger, fuller and more pleasing.

LISTENING NOTES

I listened to all genres of music with this amplifier including with the built in streamer and DAC, which is superb. It played well with every Genre and is not one of those amps made to sound amazing only with classical or Jazz. This amp has weaved a magic and put a spell on me during my late night sessions. It does amazing with low volume listening but again, if you like a more subdued and rich musical presentation. 

I listened to a slew of full albums (streaming) with this amp and one of them that stood out was “Preachers Daughter” from Ethyl Cain.

This album is a bit haunting, a bit surreal and has a very cool vibe that focuses on the spatial qualities of the ECI 6DX II and the DAC inside of it.

Listening to Ethyls voice…it’s as if I can hear and feel the emotion that is within it, and this album just surrounds me and sucks me in with a mix of sound quality, spatial vibe and that voice which comes out dead center and floats between the speakers, which can be haunting at times. With eyes closed I am taken to the performance. The sound is big, rich, full and instruments are layered and all have flesh, meat on the bones. HAUNTING! Listen to the whole album if you can, in the dark. May not be to everyones tastes (wasn’t for me at first) but there are some good jams here.

With the built in streamer and DAC the sound had more glow than the Pontus 15th DAC/HiFi ROSE 130 combo but the Pontus/Rose had a little bit more impact and punch. The internal DAC, which had a way of connecting just like the amp, was also a touch more spatial and mellow, while being crispier, ever so slightly.

What Happened?

If I take out the ECI 6DXII and put in another amp, any amp, any price…I instantly miss this ECi 6DXII due to that human touch it brings vs the HiFi sound some of the others bring (brighter, sharper, etc) to the table. I remember reading comments on a forum about this brand where someone said that once you are hooked on this brand, there is no going back. Hmmm. 

I feel this sound is the one I have chased again and again. I thought I found it in the past with an amp or two but I really only got close, very close.

I have heard this Ethyl Cain album on many amplifiers. Luxman 595 ASE (much brighter up top, leaner mids). McIntosh (flatter, duller vs this one), Accuphase (Pretty close to the ECI but it is its own thing), Galion Amps (A20 is stellar. It is airier and brings more upper mid energy), Daniel Hertz Maria 350 (depends on tuning installed), AGD amps (Very detailed, holographic and airy with leaner midrange) and so many more.

This is the way music should be heard (with the ECI 6DXII) if you ask me. But if you do not like a bit of warmth and sexiness (as my wife calls the sound of this amp) to the sound of music you may not love the Electrocompaniet as I do. 

This amp doesn’t dissect the music as if it was doing an autopsy of the musical notes. Rather it just presents the tunes as they should be presented. This in turn…really can do magical things in the right system. This amp will never be the bottleneck or weak point in a system unless you have big old speakers that are very warm in character.

The AGD Duets are masters of Detail but have a leaner midrange and much more treble energy. Kind of the Yin to the ECI Yang. 

Pickin’ and a Grinnin’

Listening to “Me and Chet” from Jerry Reed and Chet Atkins was a treat and had me grinning from ear to ear. The way the details were presented from the guitars and instruments is remarkable. Separation was awesome, with Jerry playing from the left and Chet from the right with a mix in the middle that fills out the stage. When I heard this in the past it sounded a bit flat and boring. With the ECI 6DXII there is life here, realism and when I close my eyes at 1:52AM (when I am writing this and listening) I can almost envision that they are here with me. No sharpness or ragged sounds here, sounds like analog with soul and body.

Going for something extra beautiful I played the latest track from Hania Rani “It Comes In Waves” and holy hell, it sure did with this track. The song starts out gentle and builds as the song progresses. Eventually it builds to a wash of 3D sounds and atmosphere. With the ECI 6DXII the piano notes were perfectly shined and exposed. There was no obscuring the all out true tone of the piano keys. There was sparkle galore yet with that cart and shine and yet still, body and glow. Such a beautiful presentation of this track.

OH, it’s also a PREAMP! 

The ECI 6DXII can also be used as a preamp into a power amp and this is awesome. It has RCA or XLR outs and this will come in handy if you ever want to try out a new sound by adding a different amp. I have a couple of amps here now that I tested and it was awesome to have this capability as it will further future proof this integrated.

Adding in the Galion A20 power amp which is all Class A brings an airier sound, a more detailed midrange and tighter bass vs the internal amp. Yet, at the same time, I hear some of that glow from the EC sound come through. Using this integrated as a preamp keeps the same qualities. No noise, ease of use and gorgeous sound though that sound will change with different amps being used.

11 REASONS WHY THIS IS MY FINAL PERSONAL USE INTEGRATED AMP (Yea, I know, hahaha)

Hahaha, yea sure Steve! But hey, we will see.

Here are 11 reasons why this amp will be staying for a long while in my system for my personal enjoyment and review comparisons down the road. 

1. It’s a looker in the flesh and more so than photos portray but it is more subdued and classy vs blingy.
2. It’s built to a very high end level (hangs with $10-$15k integrated amps) and feels well worth its cost.
3. Function. Finally an all in one without compromise. The internal DAC competes with $3k DACS.
4. Can be used as a preamp so feel free to hook up your external amps if you like. (RCA or XLR OUT)
5. Big GRAND SCALE sound with a Wide Soundstage (and depth) like real music sounds. Layers and texture here as well.
6. Has a remote. Not all amps do these days! (though it’s plastic, cheap and looks like an A/V Receiver remote)
7. Powerful with enough juice and current  to power hungry speaker loads without issue. Even 2 ohm loads are not an issue.
8. Super refined, never gets edgy or rough, even at high or super loud volumes. Always stays composed but delivers with an iron fist.
9. The most musical amp I have ever heard and my heart says this is what music is supposed to sound like. I really think it is.
10. Retails for $7500. I could see many other companies selling this for much more, like $13k. Expensive for sure, but well worth full retail.
11. World Class Bass. THIS IS BASS done right from the lowest to the mids. If you are tired of anemic amps or speakers, ECI is the cure.

3 THINGS THAT CAN BE IMPROVED TO MAKE THIS A TRUE DESERT ISLAND INTEGRATED AMP

1. Make a remote that is worthy of the amp ; ) Metal, more minimal. Cool. It’s the little things, you know?
2. I would prefer if it started up in the last input that was used. I use COAX 1, but when it starts up always goes to MEDIA.
3. Allow us to change the name of the inputs. Using my streamer and DAC into the XLR inputs means I am stuck seeing “CD” displayed.

Maybe CONS for YOU?

This brand, Electrocompaniet, has always been famous for creating a wide stage, having some warmth, producing vocals in a realistic lifelike way and being smooth as silk while having effortless liquid power.

This amp also has a great dynamic range, and goes from soft to loud in a bombastic way depending on the recording because there is real weight to the sound. If this doesn’t sound like it is up your alley, then this amp may not be for you.

Give a listen to a track called “Maison” by Brique A Braq. This song swells as it progresses. It goes from soft to loud and then loud to bombastic. On a really dialed in system this will sound HUGE, OPEN and very 3D with immense power and bass. With the ECI 6DX II this track sounds otherworldly with the Qualio IQ Ultras and the 40th Magellan Duettos.

BIG GRAND SCALE with body and backbone is what I am hearing with the ECI.

I named the ECI 6DX II “Soulful Music Maker” so when I connect with music streaming apps that is what is shown ; )

 

CONCLUSION

There are quite a few integrated amps I love and adore. Some have engrained special memories within me during my time with them. Yes, some people love taking trips, some like buying fancy cars and others spend $20k on a watch without a blink of an eye. Not us, not me. We have been there and done that in life and are now happy just enjoying things close to home, living a slower kind of life. We also both love listening to music. It’s our thing and yes the “we” is my wife as my wife loves it as well.

Music has been in my life since I was a kid, starting when I used to listen to records with my mom in the early 70s. I’ve always had a system for music to listen to and ever since I was in my 20’s it sort of became an obsession. Back then I would buy what I could afford (the lower end tier) but I loved it and every night I would listen to my music. Cheap or fancy, the focus was always on the music and buying records or which I did once per week.

As I grew older I started to appreciate a more refined sound. As I could afford some of the nicer gear I realized that not all of it was created equal. Some pieces were very good but there were a few over the years that I thought were very special. Some of the exotic high end is a pure cash grab as well so all that glitters is not gold. 

Fast forward to 2024 and the Electrocompaniet ECI 6DXII which has now earned the title, for me anyway, “the finest integrated amp I have heard”. This is 100% true and I knew it from the first moments I installed it as the sound quality just grabbed me instantly.

Again, these are my likes and preferences so audition if you can, in your own space and with your own speakers.

This amp has an iron fist but delivers that fist to the chest with some sugar (sweetness) and velvet like qualities. The soundstage is here, no worries. Most audiophiles would not be disappointed here as it not only extends to my side walls, it is deep and layers can be picked out within the stage.

Electrocompaniet’s slogan is “If the Music Matters” and that sums it all up right there. This amp, this company…it truly is all about the music, the emotion, the feeling. It doesn’t really do what I call “HiFi” but it does something better. It presents music in a masterful way. A heartfelt way. This one touched me in so many ways and made me take a step back and remember what really matters. It’s the music, always the music.

Whether I was listening to $12k speakers or $995 speakers this amplifier made magic with them. The sound is not thick, it is not overly ripe or in any way bloated or veiled. It manages to be clear and very open but in a real way. It manages to do vocals (with well recorded tracks) so rich and in the room that it will spoil you quickly if you are a midrange fanatic like me. The bass is incredible and goes low, and with what feels like unlimited power. The treble is so refined yet so sweet and smooth so the details are here and they can be crisp while the balance stays full and rich. It’s a sound that is unlike any other amp I have heard, in a very good way.

Some have asked me about burn in. When this amp was fresh out of the new box the sound was beefy, warm and rich. After a few hours it opened up quite a bit and settled into how it sounds today. Hundreds of hours is not needed here, nor is it with any gear based on my experience but that’s another story for another day.

My opinion is this: The ECI 6DX II sounds like what $20k high end amps should sound like. This one is $7500.

This one can be a desert island integrated for music lovers. Only the audiophile obsessed (like me) would want to swap it after some time. Everyone else, this is a lifer. You rarely see these being sold on the used market and that says a lot as well.

No. I was not paid for this review nor was it sponsored. I make ZERO $$ here in my reviews but do spend a lot of time (and sometimes, money) on them. 

If you want to support my reviews I do have a membership option at my YouTube that costs $5 per month, cancel anytime. You can do that here if you like and it’s the only way I make money doing this as I do not take brand sponsors or advertisers (was a hard choice to make). 

You can see more info on the ECI 6DXII at the Electrocompaniet Website HERE. 

VS

VS the Yamaha AS-3200 $8k – I love the Yamaha AS3200 for its classic looks, big meters, amazing build quality and the very big sound. The Yamaha is also an amp that has some warmth, detail and is also open in sound. Compared to the 6DXII the Yamaha is not as detailed in the mids and doesn’t have the hefty mid bass of the EC. Even so, the Yamaha is beautiful in sound but not as layered as the EC. The Yamaha does not have a built in DAC or streamer. Both are softer sounding amps, and both have a beauty about them. I adore the Yamaha looks, may be my fave in that dept but the ECI is $500 less retail, and includes a fantastic DAC and streamer and sounds just a bit more beautiful to me. Very close and both are wonderful.

VS the Axxess Forte 1 $5500 – The Axxess Forte 1 is loaded with a 100WPC class D amp, a streamer and a DAC. This one has a more industrial design but I found it sounded best with the Borresen X1 and X2 speakers vs other speakers. It has a very detailed, leaner vibe that works well with those speakers. The streamer that is built was not to my liking but the DAC was very good indeed. This one is for those with warm speakers or for those who like hyper detail. I found this out more and more as I used it with non Borresen speakers. For me, is not as musical, rich or layered as the ECI though it is $2k less in new retail cost.

VS the Pass Labs INT-60 $9450 – The Pass INT-60 is gorgeous and now that it is in black I have been lusting after it. With that said, it has no streamer or DAC and is just an analog amp. It has all class A performance, runs hot and sounds warm, rich, layered and with some nice sparkle up top. This is the most “subdued” of the pass integrated amps and closest to the ECI. It will cost more at close to $10k as well. If I could get this one in black for around $6k I would be all in and buy it today. At close to $10k it is now reaching that price level that makes it harder to justify for me and my bank account. Super integrated and one of the brands I still cherish in audio. INT-60 is a great integrated if you can afford it.

VS The HiFi ROSE RA280 $2995 – This is a 250 WPC Class D powerhouse for less cash and it sounds fantastic. It has the Rose house sound which is smooth, fluid, big low end bass and a sweet treble. Sounds a lot like the EC doesn’t it? Well, it’s not as refined or smooth as the ECI, doesn’t do the layering like the ECI and doesn’t sound as refined or crisp as the ECI. It’s also not as noise free as the ECI. Even so, at $3k it’s fantastic and a powerhouse of an integrated. No streamer or DAC here though.

VS the Hegel H390 $6500 – The Hegel is a fantastic amp but I found it to be a touch sterile vs the ECI. Not that the Hegel is sterile, but when you listen side by side almost any amp sounds more sterile than the ECI. I also prefer the way the ECI does the mids, which are very present, large and 3D. Either of these integrated amplifiers are awesome so again, personal pref. You will not go wrong with either but depends on your tastes in design and sound. The Hegel has more clarity up top vs the silkier ECI. The design of the Hegel is the least flashy of them all as well.

I could talk about more that I have had in here like those from McIntosh, Luxman, SoulNote, Accuphase, Kinki Studios, Gold Note, etc but these amps just bring a different vibe and choosing the vibe you like is key. As stated I love big effortless sound, warmth with detail, layers, organic stage, non offensive sounds, refinement and that connection to the music. It’s why I love the ECI 6DXII more than the amps above as it gave me more of what I personally enjoy. Your tastes may vary of course but if you are looking for an integrated, an all in one and have an EC dealer near you, do give them a listen! 

I hope you enjoyed this review as much as I enjoyed writing it!

UPDATE November 2024: I still have this as my main power for my system and loving it more than ever. If I could go back, I would have bought the version without the DAC and streamer as I have mighty fine external boxes to do those duties, that yes, are better. I also found a bug of sorts. If you put the amp into standby (press mute on the remote for 3 seconds) when you wake it up, the remote no longer works. So I then have to turn off the amp and back on again. Weird. As for sound quality, I like it more now than when I wrote the review. Just supremely musical and with some magic sprinkles thrown in. Amazing integrated and company.