Electrocompaniet EC 5 Stereo Reference Preamplifier

The ultimate expression of preamplifier purity. After ten years of development, Electrocompaniet presents the EC 5 – a reference preamplifier that redefines signal integrity through proprietary technologies, while honouring Electrocompaniet's classic design with meaningful new upgrades.

Proprietary volume control
The EC 5 uses a fully electronic volume control, developed over a decade, that removes mechanical switches, relays and stepped attenuator contacts from the audio signal path. It offers extremely fine resolution of approximately 0.1 dB across 1000 steps, while the signal path length and topology stay constant regardless of the volume setting.

Key architectural features
A fully discrete, balanced, dual-mono preamplifier operating in pure Class A, with independent power supplies per channel and heavy storage capacitance. The AmpliWire high open-loop bandwidth topology and low negative feedback reduce distortion, maintain phase coherence and preserve channel separation.

Imaging and soundstage
The dual-mono layout and strong channel isolation minimise crosstalk, keeping left/right separation vivid even at low listening levels – essential for depth and lateral imaging. The volume implementation keeps constant electrical length, impedance and phase behaviour, preserving imaging cues at every volume level, with fine and repeatable 0.1 dB steps for a stable soundstage.

Technical specifications
Input impedance (balanced, fixed): 47 kΩ
Output impedance: 22 Ω
Maximum voltage gain: 20 dB
Gain range: -73 dB to +20 dB
SNR (ref. 1 V, 20 Hz – 20 kHz, A-weighted): 113 dB
Max input voltage: 10 Vrms
Max output voltage: 10 Vrms
DC output voltage: < 1 mV
Frequency response: 0.5 Hz – 450 kHz
Channel separation: > 120 dB
THD+N: < 0.0002 %
Inputs: 4x balanced (XLR), 2x single-ended (RCA)
Outputs: 2x balanced / REC out, 1x single-ended REC out
Control ports: 1x Ethernet, 1x USB
IR selector: internal / external / none
Trigger: 2x in / 3x out
Power consumption (no load / signal): 80 W
Power consumption (standby): < 0.5 W
Dimensions (W x D x H): 470 x 420 x 190 mm
Weight: 26 kg