Electrocompaniet ECP-2 MKII
Electrocompaniet ECP-2 MKII phono preamplifier with adjustable gain and loading, featuring XLR and RCA outputs to integrate into a demanding vinyl system.
Description
The ECP-2 MKII is a phono preamplifier from Electrocompaniet, designed to provide the RIAA stage for a turntable and bring its signal up to a level usable by an amplifier or line preamplifier. It sits between the cartridge and the rest of the system, and supports both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs.
Its gain is adjustable from 39.8 to 71.4 dB on the RCA output, and from 45.8 to 76.4 dB on the XLR output, allowing it to be matched to cartridges of very different sensitivities, from MM to low-output MC. Resistive loading (RL) is adjustable from 10 Ω to 47 kΩ and capacitive loading (CL) from 0 to 350 pF, two parameters that allow precise adjustment of the electrical interface with the cartridge in use to get the best tonal result.
The stated RIAA correction accuracy is ± 0.1 dB, with a frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz within ± 0.2 dB, ensuring faithful reproduction across the entire audible spectrum. A subsonic filter comes into effect at -3 dB from 11 Hz with a slope of 24 dB per octave, useful for limiting unwanted low frequencies caused by record warping or mechanical resonances. Channel separation exceeds 85 dB across the whole bandwidth and total harmonic distortion remains below 0.003% at 1 kHz.
This preamplifier is aimed at vinyl enthusiasts with an already accomplished setup, where the phono stage becomes a decisive link in fully exploiting a high-end cartridge. Its versatile adjustments make it a sound choice for those with several cartridges or wishing to fine-tune the electrical matching with their tonearm.
Technical specifications
| Adjustable gain at 1 kHz RCA | 39.8 - 71.4 dB |
| Adjustable gain at 1 kHz XLR | 45.8 - 76.4 dB |
| Resistive loading (RL) | Adjustable 10 Ω - 47 kΩ |
| Capacitive loading (CL) | Adjustable from 0 to 350 pF |
| Maximum output level | 17.5 V rms (+ 25 dB V) |
| Overload margin | > 31 dB at 1 kHz |
| Output impedance | 100 Ω unbalanced, 200 Ω balanced |
| Frequency response | 20 to 20 kHz ± 0.2 dB |
| RIAA correction accuracy | ± 0.1 dB |
| Subsonic filter | -3 dB at 11 Hz, 24 dB/octave |
| Channel separation | > 85 dB, 20 to 20 kHz |
| THD + noise | < 0.003% at 1 kHz |
| S/NR | 67.4 dB, 1 kHz, A-weighted, 500 μV input ref. |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) | 470 x 373 x 78 mm |
What to check before buying used
Check that the gain, resistive load (RL) and capacitive load (CL) controls work properly: these switches or potentiometers, heavily used to match the unit to each cartridge, can develop faulty contacts or wear causing crackling. Check for any hum or abnormal noise on the input circuits, which are particularly sensitive at high-gain settings for MC cartridges. Also test the RCA and XLR connectors as well as the earth terminal, whose oxidation can degrade the connection with the turntable.
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