I'd take the Cary over the EC. Although I own a Cary 303/200, I've heard the 306 in a head to head with the EC. Both are fine players. However, IMHO the EC sounded VERY clinical to me, not at all warm. That may be because the upsampling CAN'T be defeated on the EC - it's on all the time. With the Cary, upsampling can be turned on/off at your discretion on the fly.
I have my reservations about upsampling to begin with. I find that it gives a nice boost to some older recordings that may not have been recorded too well, but that it has little effect on newer recordings. I've also found that, to the extent upsampling makes a difference, I prefer 96 to 192 since it sounds warmer ... I've found that there's too much resolution in 192 making it sound sterile/clinical to my ears. Since the EC has 192 undefeatable upsampling, I found it way too harsh for my tastes.
I have my reservations about upsampling to begin with. I find that it gives a nice boost to some older recordings that may not have been recorded too well, but that it has little effect on newer recordings. I've also found that, to the extent upsampling makes a difference, I prefer 96 to 192 since it sounds warmer ... I've found that there's too much resolution in 192 making it sound sterile/clinical to my ears. Since the EC has 192 undefeatable upsampling, I found it way too harsh for my tastes.