My experience is somewhat dated as I owned my ECI-3 a few years ago. However, the best results I experienced was paired with a Sony XA7ES CD Player via Balanced interconnects. I still miss listening to that combo sometimes as it sounded way better than it ever should have. This was paired with a pair of Sonus Faber speakers.
I now use an Electrocompaniet ECD-1 DAC and also own a EMC-1UP CD Player for my digital front end which would both probably match well with the ECI-3. However, that XA7ES paired with the ECI-3 was magic. Whatever you do make sure you utilize the XLR connections on that amp as it sounded significantly better than using one of the single ended inputs. (At least in my setup) Good luck!
-Chris
I now use an Electrocompaniet ECD-1 DAC and also own a EMC-1UP CD Player for my digital front end which would both probably match well with the ECI-3. However, that XA7ES paired with the ECI-3 was magic. Whatever you do make sure you utilize the XLR connections on that amp as it sounded significantly better than using one of the single ended inputs. (At least in my setup) Good luck!
-Chris