My background:
A keen music listener and being able to appreciate good music, choice of instruments, its combinations if its well orchestrated, etc.
The number of instruments dont matter as long as those blend well without taking away each others' musical strength.
More the instruments, orchestration and mixing become more complex and need to be precise.
To me, no barrier in language as long as I like the music/sound. If I would avoid something, it would be anything thats associated with Rock and Rap genre.
A bit of History:
My 40+ years of music listening experience started with a Mono Panasonic Tape/Cassette player in 1980's, then a Philips Powerhouse Cassette Stereo in 1990's.
I thoroughly enjoyed my Philips Powerhouse Stereo for more than 10 years without knowing/realising it was closer to a proper Stereo experience for that time in my vicinity and reach.
Around 2005, got bitten by the "5.1 DD/DTS Home Theatre" bug and my music listening experience got buried within the Home Theatre setup.
This is when the "ARTIFICIAL" surround sound came into existence even for the Stereo sounds. It was like "Literate becoming an Illiterate" in the field of "music listening". The worst part was to SWITCH ON "Virtual surround" even for a regular stereo music. If I look back, I question myself why did I do this? Then came the "Spatial Sound" for music albums. I couldnt appreciate Spatial or Atmos for music, but this topic is for a different post!
My search for Stereo Setup:
In mid 2024, having a budget in my mind, I started off with some UK brands for both speakers and integrated source/amps.
Yes, it was always "Both" in my thought, 1 physical unit serving all purpose source + streamer + preamp + amp and a pair of passive speakers.
Source should feature a streamer, a DAC, Aux inputs for my other devices like a phone, DAP, etc.
UK and several Asian brands got these features built into a single box. So, I was damn happy thinking I got what I wanted within my budget!
As I was listening to or "auditioning" [as they call it] with multiple dealers/distributors, I realised NONE had a simple 1+1 setup in demo, but, it was always a multi-tiered setup where it was a minimum of 3 physical units - 1 Source/Streamer/DAC, 1 Amp and a pair of passive speakers.
Obviously, my budget was taking a hit to consider this multi-tiered approach. But, I was glued to the music and how it sounded. Even the music that I have been listening to for 3+ decades sounded refreshing, natural and wanting to listen more of it. More importantly, it sounded RIGHT to me.
Then, came the different kinds of "sounding RIGHT". I dont know how to qualify. May be, I am not a qualified "Audiophile" but just a Music-phile.
I dont know what the dealers might have thought while I went for multiple rounds of "audition" as I became more finicky/keen on how some of the music sounded to me.
This is where my connection with ECI 6 MKII happened along with the Chario Delphinus mk2. This happened in January 2025.
My Music infrastructure:
Primary Source Device: Astell & Kern SR30 DAP and the other source would be my iPad connected to SR30 as DAC.
Primary Music Service: Apple Music
4.4mm to XLR balanced cable from SR30 to ECI 6 MKII.
Music Genre [in order]: Tamil movies albums, primarily Ilayaraja & AR Rahman, Jazz, Pop and Country.
Here, I have to appreciate the AK SR30 as DAC, more than a DAP. This is my experience in using its inbuilt Apple Music v/s my iPad's Apple Music using SR30 as DAC.
Now, the ECI 6 MKII and Delphinus mk2:
No words, the review is done
It's more of a bond with AV Lounge in Chennai. TN, India rather than the EC and Chario setup
A single phrase to qualify Mr. Venkat of AV Lounge - A TRUE PROFESSIONAL. More on Mr. Venkat later.
In the showroom, having a dedicated listening space with a nice rug/carpet covering the floor, a perfectly positioned listener sofa and what not!
Throw in any 1980's Ilayaraja song, it just comes out crystal in every aspect.
After so much of thought and further more thoughts, I booked this combo. The delivery was fairy quick while Delphinus was readily available, ECI 6 MKII took a while to settle in my home.
Every time, I listen to my good old favourites from 1980 Tamil movie albums or 1990 MJ collection, its just refreshing.
Clear vocal, Instrument separation, Wider staging but well controlled within the limits [doesnt scatter too much], etc.
Over a period of time [may be a month or 2], Amp and Speakers got opened up nicely and the music fills the room at the right level.
Stereo separation is precise while the centre stage for primary vocal is spot-on. No overlapping of voice and music.
Miles Davis [Kind of Blue] is being played as I am writing this now. The stereo panning is too good and un-disturbing.
Overall, I recall my 90's listening experience with the good old Philips Powerhouse cassette player. I know it's NOT a right comparison though the costing fits in.
Then, my dad got me Philips Powerhouse for 3 times the cost compared to other entry level stereos available then and now, the ECI 6 MKII + Chario Delphinus mk2 setup costing at similar level in 2025 while other cheaper options available.
Nit-picking:
Physical Layout of the ECI 6 is clean, super clean because there are only 5 buttons and a simple, old Matrix styled display.
Front facia is a plain, hard, toughened glass. Its as good as the thickness of a Window glass - Is it necessary? I dont think so. Does it look clean? Yes.
Gold coloured metal buttons - Power ON/OFF and 4 buttons forming a Diamond shap for input selector and volume control. Unnecessary, Totally unnecessary engineering and the small blue light doing a circle as you keep pressing the output volume buttons! I dont know whats the point being proven here.
Call me OLD school, but, a simple rotary volume controller and a stepped rotor controller for input selection along with this blue coloured matrix display would have been much cleaner with a retro look. A single gold coloured button for Power ON/OFF would have been enough.
A keen music listener and being able to appreciate good music, choice of instruments, its combinations if its well orchestrated, etc.
The number of instruments dont matter as long as those blend well without taking away each others' musical strength.
More the instruments, orchestration and mixing become more complex and need to be precise.
To me, no barrier in language as long as I like the music/sound. If I would avoid something, it would be anything thats associated with Rock and Rap genre.
A bit of History:
My 40+ years of music listening experience started with a Mono Panasonic Tape/Cassette player in 1980's, then a Philips Powerhouse Cassette Stereo in 1990's.
I thoroughly enjoyed my Philips Powerhouse Stereo for more than 10 years without knowing/realising it was closer to a proper Stereo experience for that time in my vicinity and reach.
Around 2005, got bitten by the "5.1 DD/DTS Home Theatre" bug and my music listening experience got buried within the Home Theatre setup.
This is when the "ARTIFICIAL" surround sound came into existence even for the Stereo sounds. It was like "Literate becoming an Illiterate" in the field of "music listening". The worst part was to SWITCH ON "Virtual surround" even for a regular stereo music. If I look back, I question myself why did I do this? Then came the "Spatial Sound" for music albums. I couldnt appreciate Spatial or Atmos for music, but this topic is for a different post!
My search for Stereo Setup:
In mid 2024, having a budget in my mind, I started off with some UK brands for both speakers and integrated source/amps.
Yes, it was always "Both" in my thought, 1 physical unit serving all purpose source + streamer + preamp + amp and a pair of passive speakers.
Source should feature a streamer, a DAC, Aux inputs for my other devices like a phone, DAP, etc.
UK and several Asian brands got these features built into a single box. So, I was damn happy thinking I got what I wanted within my budget!
As I was listening to or "auditioning" [as they call it] with multiple dealers/distributors, I realised NONE had a simple 1+1 setup in demo, but, it was always a multi-tiered setup where it was a minimum of 3 physical units - 1 Source/Streamer/DAC, 1 Amp and a pair of passive speakers.
Obviously, my budget was taking a hit to consider this multi-tiered approach. But, I was glued to the music and how it sounded. Even the music that I have been listening to for 3+ decades sounded refreshing, natural and wanting to listen more of it. More importantly, it sounded RIGHT to me.
Then, came the different kinds of "sounding RIGHT". I dont know how to qualify. May be, I am not a qualified "Audiophile" but just a Music-phile.
I dont know what the dealers might have thought while I went for multiple rounds of "audition" as I became more finicky/keen on how some of the music sounded to me.
This is where my connection with ECI 6 MKII happened along with the Chario Delphinus mk2. This happened in January 2025.
My Music infrastructure:
Primary Source Device: Astell & Kern SR30 DAP and the other source would be my iPad connected to SR30 as DAC.
Primary Music Service: Apple Music
4.4mm to XLR balanced cable from SR30 to ECI 6 MKII.
Music Genre [in order]: Tamil movies albums, primarily Ilayaraja & AR Rahman, Jazz, Pop and Country.
Here, I have to appreciate the AK SR30 as DAC, more than a DAP. This is my experience in using its inbuilt Apple Music v/s my iPad's Apple Music using SR30 as DAC.
Now, the ECI 6 MKII and Delphinus mk2:
No words, the review is done
It's more of a bond with AV Lounge in Chennai. TN, India rather than the EC and Chario setup
A single phrase to qualify Mr. Venkat of AV Lounge - A TRUE PROFESSIONAL. More on Mr. Venkat later.
In the showroom, having a dedicated listening space with a nice rug/carpet covering the floor, a perfectly positioned listener sofa and what not!
Throw in any 1980's Ilayaraja song, it just comes out crystal in every aspect.
After so much of thought and further more thoughts, I booked this combo. The delivery was fairy quick while Delphinus was readily available, ECI 6 MKII took a while to settle in my home.
Every time, I listen to my good old favourites from 1980 Tamil movie albums or 1990 MJ collection, its just refreshing.
Clear vocal, Instrument separation, Wider staging but well controlled within the limits [doesnt scatter too much], etc.
Over a period of time [may be a month or 2], Amp and Speakers got opened up nicely and the music fills the room at the right level.
Stereo separation is precise while the centre stage for primary vocal is spot-on. No overlapping of voice and music.
Miles Davis [Kind of Blue] is being played as I am writing this now. The stereo panning is too good and un-disturbing.
Overall, I recall my 90's listening experience with the good old Philips Powerhouse cassette player. I know it's NOT a right comparison though the costing fits in.
Then, my dad got me Philips Powerhouse for 3 times the cost compared to other entry level stereos available then and now, the ECI 6 MKII + Chario Delphinus mk2 setup costing at similar level in 2025 while other cheaper options available.
Nit-picking:
Physical Layout of the ECI 6 is clean, super clean because there are only 5 buttons and a simple, old Matrix styled display.
Front facia is a plain, hard, toughened glass. Its as good as the thickness of a Window glass - Is it necessary? I dont think so. Does it look clean? Yes.
Gold coloured metal buttons - Power ON/OFF and 4 buttons forming a Diamond shap for input selector and volume control. Unnecessary, Totally unnecessary engineering and the small blue light doing a circle as you keep pressing the output volume buttons! I dont know whats the point being proven here.
Call me OLD school, but, a simple rotary volume controller and a stepped rotor controller for input selection along with this blue coloured matrix display would have been much cleaner with a retro look. A single gold coloured button for Power ON/OFF would have been enough.
