Electrocompaniet was founded in Stranda, Norway in 1973 by a group of engineers and physicists from the Norwegian Institute of Technology who were dissatisfied with the state of audio amplification. Their founding paper, 'A New Approach to High Fidelity Amplifier Design,' proposed that the measurement methods conventionally used to assess amplifier quality were inadequate — that an amplifier could measure well by conventional standards and still sound wrong. The solution they developed, and have refined across fifty years of production, was a high-current, zero global negative feedback amplifier topology that remains the engineering foundation of every Electrocompaniet product made today. The factory is still in Norway. The engineers still argue about the same things. The music still sounds right.

ENGINEERING PHILOSOPHY

The decision to use zero global negative feedback in Electrocompaniet's core amplifier designs is not a historical quirk — it is a deliberate engineering position that the company defends with measured evidence and listening tests. Global negative feedback, used in most conventional amplifier designs, corrects errors after they occur in the signal path. Electrocompaniet's position is that it is better to design circuits that do not make errors than to correct them after the fact — that feedback-corrected distortion has a different character than low-distortion design, and that the ear detects this difference even when the measurements suggest otherwise.

The result is amplification of exceptional musical naturalness: effortless at high power, grain-free at low levels, and capable of driving difficult loudspeaker loads without the compression that feedback-dependent designs can exhibit under stress. From integrated amplifiers to reference monoblock power stages, every Electrocompaniet product is designed, assembled, and tested by hand in Norway.

WHY THE AUDIO TAILOR CARRIES ELECTROCOMPANIET

We carry Electrocompaniet because it represents one of the most compelling combinations of engineering integrity, sonic excellence, and genuine value available anywhere in high-end audio. It is the brand we recommend most confidently to clients who want the truth about their music without paying for someone else's marketing budget.

 

Electrocompaniet EC 4.8 MKII Reference Preamplifier

Experience music like never before with Electrocompaniet's groundbreaking EC 4.8 MKII Reference Preamplifier. Designed meticulously with an unrivaled precision, this state-of-the-art device is unyielding in its commitment to close the gap between you and the master recording, providing an unparalleled sonic experience that keeps the passion and poise of the artist front and center. Building upon the strength of its predecessor, the EC 4.8 MKII preamplifier contains an entirely balanced audio circuitry, dedicated to extracting the utmost detail and harmony from your tracks; ensuring that your power amplifier delivers a performance that is nothing short of breathtaking. Even more, the EC 4.8 MKII's dual mono design reinforces the purity of sound by reducing intra-channel interference to virtually zero. This ingenious design, coupled with superior technology and a sleek aesthetic overhaul to match its MKII brethren, raises the bar for preamplifiers worldwide.

Features:

1. Fully Balanced Discrete Analog Audio Circuitry: The EC 4.8 MKII incorporates fully balanced analog circuitry design for preserving audio integrity by significantly reducing external electrical disturbances that can compromise sound quality.
2. Improved Sonic Performance: The EC 4.8 MKII adds upgrades in mechanics and sound enhancements for improved audio performance and a flawless listening experience.
3. Dual Mono Design: Unique dual mono preamplifier design, isolating left and right audio channels to avoid internal crosstalk and deliver optimum stereo separation.
4. Low Noise Floor: The superior attention to detail offers a noise floor below -130 dB, ensuring the most delicate sounds are captured and reproduced without unwanted interference.
5. High Gain, High Channel Separation: With a maximum gain of 6dB and channel separation of more than 120 db, the EC 4.8 MKII ensures clear, distinct audio that honors the original recording.
6. Multiple Connectivity Options: It comes with 2x2 channel balanced and 3x2 unbalanced inputs, along with multiple control ports for networking and programming, providing versatility for numerous audio setups.
7. Compact, Sleek Design: The EC 4.8 MKII is stylishly crafted, sporting a compact frame with an elegant exterior, complementing any interior setup.

Benefits:

1. Exceptional Audio Fidelity: The fully balanced audio circuitry ensures superior audio reproduction, allowing you to perceive every intricacy of your music.
2. Audio Enhancement: The updated mechanics and sound enhancements of the MKII model will elevate your sound system, ensuring smooth and accurate audio.
3. Enhanced Stereo Sound: Uncompromised stereo sound as both the left and right audio channels are isolated, eliminating interference.
4. Pure Sound: Noise floor below -130 dB allows even the most subtle audio details to surface, providing an immersive, distortion-free listening experience.
5. Superior Quality Sound Production: The high gain and channel separation ensure that your output is crystal clear, demonstrating a true to life aural experience.
6. Ease of Integration: A wide array of outputs, inputs and control ports allow effortless embedding into any music system setup.
7. Adds Elegance to Interior Décor: With its sleek, modern design, the EC 4.8 MKII doesn't just sound good - it looks good too.

Specifications

Specifications	Electrocompaniet - EC 4.8 MKII - Reference Preamplifier
Product Type	Two-channel EC 4.8 MKII preamplifier
Audio Circuitry	Fully balanced discrete analog
Design	Dual mono design with independent power supply for each
Impedance	Input: 47 Kohm; Output: 100 ohm
Max Input	+-15 Vp-p ( +- 30Vp-p Bal)
Max Output	+-30 Vp-p ( +- 30Vp-p Bal)
Gain Range	Minimum: -111dB - Maximum: 6dB
Noise Floor	< -130 dB (at 0 dB gain)
Frequency Response	1 – 200 kHz
Channel Separation	> 120dB
THD	<0.002% (at 1V in, 1V out)
Power Consumption	30 W (no load or signal)
Dimensions	Width: 470 mm (18.5 in); Depth: 372 mm (14.64 in); Height: 80 mm (3.14 in)
Weight	11.3 kg (24.9 lbs)
Inputs	Balanced: 2 x 2 channel; Single ended: 3 x 2 channel
Control Ports	Network: 3 x SPAC; Programming: 1 x USB
Outputs	Balanced: 1 x 2 channel; Single ended: Record Out

In conclusion, let the Electrocompaniet EC 4.8 MKII Reference Preamplifier be your pass to groundbreaking soundscapes. Exacting in design, meticulous in function, it remains uncompromising in its quest to deliver an auditory experience that transcends the ordinary. More than just a device, it's your intimate orchestra, your private serenade, your most immersive sound journey. From its impeccable audio reproduction to its beautifully streamlined aesthetics, it's a masterpiece of sonic engineering that embodies flawless performance. Whether you're a seasoned audiophile or simply look for the finest in musical enjoyment, let the EC 4.8 MKII charm you with its precision, captivate you with its purity, and mesmerise you with its magnificence. If it's a blend of unrivaled audio quality, aesthetic refinement, and undisputed reliability you seek, look no further. For queries, support, or more information on the EC 4.8 MKII, please reach us at The Audio Tailor - Voted Australia's #1 Hi-Fi Store. Visit our Brisbane store, call us at 1300 308 711, email us at [email protected], or contact us online through our website. Elevate your listening experience with the prestigious EC 4.8 MKII Reference Preamplifier. Your music deserves nothing less than perfection.