ELECTROCOMPANIENT

[Tin Bird]

Why did that make me chuckle?? Speakers.....that look great........so very much a wife thing to say, isn't it?

LOL! Better than the usual, "I can't believe you bought another pair of GD speakers!" ;-)

 

[Tin Bird]

Looking forward this weekend to spending time comparing my two sets of speakers the Studios and the D11's. If I recall correctly, I think the Studios have a tad more bass, but the imaging is better (certainly wider) w the D11's. We'll see...

 

[Tin Bird]

Got my D11's out and listened for a bit this morning. It is as I remembered...amazing imaging...top notch... throws sounds way outside of the sides of the speakers. That said, the Monitor Audio Studios have punchier bass, are quicker on their feet, and are ever so slightly more detailed. They actually have a somewhat similar sound actually, but I prefer the Studios. This looks to be my system for some time to come.

 

[Tin Bird]

No changes...believe it or not! After years of trial and error, I have the perfect system for me. The D11's have moved on...my speakers are the Monitor Audio Studios! They are quick and super revealing without a hint of added sibilance. Further, their bass is present and punchy with zero boominess. I am aware that MA speakers have a rep of being bright. These speakers are not. As I've said on other threads, I am a bookshelf speaker guy. The main reason for that is my ears. I simply cannot hang with movie theater level full sound production and need things a bit more compact and scaled down. That said, the Studios go down into the mid-40's and I have no sense of missing anything at all. Music sounds full and well balanced. I should note, however, that I did try the Studios with the Parasound HINT 6 integrated, and they did sound brighter and more siblilant. The HINT 6 went bye bye very quickly from my system. I've learned that when reviewers describe a unit as strictly neutral, for my ears, that normally translates as bright. The D 3045 must have a more polite and rounded top end which is why my ears prefer it. Honestly, I still hear all of the hi-hats and cymbal splashes and bell rings, but they don't cut like most of the other amps I've tried. I would say the Rotel A12 integrated also had a more ear-friendly top end, however, the D 3045 presents a bit more of an overall thick sound...which I like...and the A12 was ever so slightly leaner overall. The A12 is my second fave integrated I've owned.
Off the top of my head, here is a quick list of integrated amplifiers that have spent time in my home over the past five years: Pioneer A20, TEAC AI-301DA, TEAC NR-7CD, TEAC AG-H600NT, Electrocompaniet - ECI 6, Yamaha A-U671, Yamaha A-S801, Sony TA-A1ES, Rotel A12, NAD D3020, NAD D3020 v2, Bel Canto C5I, NAD C368, Denon CEOL RCD-N10, Parasound HINT 6, McIntosh MXA 70. I think that's about it...give or take.
Well...what the heck...while I'm at it, let's see if I can make a quick speaker list too... Here is a list of speakers that I've owned: Pioneer BS-22, Pioneer SP-FS52, Monitor Audio Monitor 50, Monitor Audio Monitor 100, Monitor Audio Studio, Martin Logan Motion 40, Martin Logan Motion 10, Quad S2, Denon SC-N10, Wharfedale Denton 80th Anniversary, Wharfedale Diamond 225, Wharfedale Reva 3, T + A Elektroakustik B8, Definitive Technology D7, Definitive Technology D9, Definitive Technology D11, Polk s15, Polk s20, Polk S55, Sony SS-CS5, Sony SS-CS3, Atlantic Technology 4400, Vienna Acoustics Beethoven. Man, what a ride it's been!

 

[Tin Bird]

Uh oh...trouble in paradise...? No...but...I have decided to give the Monitor Audio Monitor 100 bookshelf speakers another go. Mainly because the Studios are a bit light in the bass area. I still love the Studios...esp. for their clarity and detail without being at all harsh...but...I have found myself missing that hint of warmth that some less analytical speakers can provide. A bit more chestiness with male vocals for example...we'll see what shakes out. All other comments have stayed the same for some time now.

 

[Tin Bird]

I decided for now to keep both the Monitor 100's and the Studios...I do think the 100's sound a bit fuller and have a much better soundstage...the Studios have a hair more detail and have a certain sound to them...plus they look so cool! So going w both for now... I think the 100's actually remind me a bit of the Wharfedale Denton 80th Anniv. speakers minus the ultra laid back treble.

 

[Tin Bird]

UH oh...we actually do have some trouble in paradise now... recall that the very first time I turned on my second NAD D 3045, it would not turn off...it kept turning itself back on after I would turn it off. After unplugging and plugging back in, it seemed to be OK...until last night...last night in the middle of listening (and not when the A/C turned on), the unit turned itself off and then back on...I then tried to turn it back off again to see what was up and it kept turning back on again...over and over. Damn! Finally get a piece of gear I liker and it appears to have a fatal flaw. Second unit that did some version of turning on/off by itself. Not sure where I'm going from here, but am within the return window for the D 3045 so back it goes I guess...

 

[Audiofreak71]

UH oh...we actually do have some trouble in paradise now... recall that the very first time I turned on my second NAD D 3045, it would not turn off...it kept turning itself back on after I would turn it off. After unplugging and plugging back in, it seemed to be OK...until last night...last night in the middle of listening (and not when the A/C turned on), the unit turned itself off and then back on...I then tried to turn it back off again to see what was up and it kept turning back on again...over and over. Damn! Finally get a piece of gear I liker and it appears to have a fatal flaw. Second unit that did some version of turning on/off by itself. Not sure where I'm going from here, but am within the return window for the D 3045 so back it goes I guess...

I’m not sure if this has already been brought up , but have you checked online to see if this is a problem with this unit ? , because if it is then Nad should be doing something about it by now . If you don’t see a reoccurring issue online about that model then all signs point to something going on in your house power wise and that Nad may not like it .

Audiofreak71

 

[Tin Bird]

Hey man...I haven't really looked around much... it is possible but it just seems so weird that I've had all of these other amps over the years and never had a single issue like this. We're about ready to leave the A/C season anyway, so at this point, unless the issue spreads to other units, I'll probably just wait until next summer to get the A/C unit checked. We have no other issues with anything else in the house shutting off. The only thing I had noted was a quick flicker of the power/lights in the house and actually I do occasionally hear a click when sitting at my computer through the speakers when the A/C turns on...but other than that nothing. And this issue occurred yesterday when the A/C was not on...but it could be...our's is an older home so it may warrant further investigation.

 

[Audiofreak71]

Hey man...I haven't really looked around much... it is possible but it just seems so weird that I've had all of these other amps over the years and never had a single issue like this. We're about ready to leave the A/C season anyway, so at this point, unless the issue spreads to other units, I'll probably just wait until next summer to get the A/C unit checked. We have no other issues with anything else in the house shutting off. The only thing I had noted was a quick flicker of the power/lights in the house and actually I do occasionally hear a click when sitting at my computer through the speakers when the A/C turns on...but other than that nothing. And this issue occurred yesterday when the A/C was not on...but it could be...our's is an older home so it may warrant further investigation.

It could very well be that those Nad units are fussy about power fluctuations, I just don’t see going through a couple units and both doing the same thing. Do you have it plugged directly into the wall? Or into a power conditioner?.

Audiofreak71

 

[Tin Bird]

Plugged into the wall. CD player is too. It has no problem. IDK Actually, it wasn't the same thing now that I think about it... the first one would shut off when the A/C turned on. This one won't stay off and turns itself back on when I turn it off...so kind've different.

 

[Audiofreak71]

If you have a power strip with surge protection, I would plug it into that and see if the problem persists or if it’s solved , that way you at least trouble shot the issue a little before moving on . Something tells me that if you got another unit of the same model then you would have the same problem out of that one meaning it isn’t the unit it’s a power problem in the house .

Audiofreak71

 

[Tin Bird]

I think you are probably right...I think I did try the first one w a power strip and it made no difference. I'll get someone out here at some point to test.

 

[Tin Bird]

Well what do you know... "I had similar problems tho my Nad c326bee kept going into circuit protection even if "Soft Clipping" was off. If i remember well, it was the preamp part that glitched some current spikes into the amp and Circuit Protection jumped in. They had to completely change the front panel of my 326bee. Since then everything is perfect."

https://www.reddit.com/r/audiophile/comments/34th8e/help_nad_amplifier_keeps_turning_off/

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/nad-7600-turns-on-briefly-then-shuts-off

 

[Tin Bird]

If you have a power strip with surge protection, I would plug it into that and see if the problem persists or if it’s solved , that way you at least trouble shot the issue a little before moving on . Something tells me that if you got another unit of the same model then you would have the same problem out of that one meaning it isn’t the unit it’s a power problem in the house .

Audiofreak71

Looks like NAD units Do have some issues...see my previous post...

 

[Tin Bird]

OK. Have decided to move on from the NAD D 3045. It does sound very good, but the random cutting off and/or turning on by itself is a bother... whether it is the power in my house or not.
I am going with an AVM Inspiration C 2.2 all in one CD/integrated amplifier. The reviews are good. I found one on sale. And they are beautiful. Will keep you updated. Sticking w the Monitor Audio Studio and Monitor 100 bookshelf speakers.

 

[Tin Bird]

Changed my mind...you don't say...! Going w the Quad Artera Solus instead. While the AVM looks amazing and very well might be superior, it is VERY expensive. Further, while the watts are more, it is class D, while the Quad is class AB. Feel a bit safer going that route. Plus, the guy that wanted to sell me the AVM was trying to go "sale final" on me. Never a good choice for ole Tin Bird.

 

[Eli47]

I am considering upping my amplifier game. I currently use Definitive Technology D11 bookshelf speakers run with a Rotel A12 integrated amplifier. I am looking at replacing the Rotel with an ELECTROCOMPANIENT ECI 6D integrated amplifier. Just curious if anyone has any thoughts about this pairing. Would it be a good match? Would the amp be too much for the speakers?
I would appreciate any thoughts. Thanks.

here are the speaker and amp specs:
D11: https://www.definitivetechnology.com/products/demand-d11
ECI 6D: http://www.electrocompaniet.no/products/classic/integrated/ECI_6D

I have no doubt that you'll really enjoy the new Amplifier, Electrocompaniet is quite a venerable manufacturer of fine audio equipment.
To those that keep touting service issues and warranty, I believe they may not be as familiar with such brands as EC or FM Acoustics, which are not sold at a local Best Buy, or "high end" Independent stores.
Compared to the Rotel at 60W/Ch, you've effectively increased the volume by 3dB by doubling your power to 125/ch. At the same time, I have no doubt that you can appreciate how much better subtle details are reproduced with the Electrocompaniet compared to the Rotel.
I know that Def Tech's tend to have a "thick "{or warm} upper mid-range, I have no doubt that your new amp helped clean that up considerably.

 

[DaveVoorhis]

I have no doubt that you'll really enjoy the new Amplifier, Electrocompaniet is quite a venerable manufacturer of fine audio equipment.
To those that keep touting service issues and warranty, I believe they may not be as familiar with such brands as EC or FM Acoustics, which are not sold at a local Best Buy, or "high end" Independent stores.
Compared to the Rotel at 60W/Ch, you've effectively increased the volume by 3dB by doubling your power to 125/ch. At the same time, I have no doubt that you can appreciate how much better subtle details are reproduced with the Electrocompaniet compared to the Rotel.

You might want to read to the end of this thread.

It's an interesting tale. Spoiler: The story's not over, and there's no Electrocompaniet toward the end...

 

[Eli47]

Yes I saw it after I posted.
A pinball story ;-}