You are limiting yourself to old / discontinued brand models . The $400 spread is immaterial in your decision tree IMO.
MY TAKE ON CHOICE
- because they are old / discontinued models, what’s the inevitable repairs and parts availability pathway?
it
ELECTROCOMPANIET AS filed for bankruptcy today 19-06-2018???
Norwegian link https://w2.brreg.no/kunngjoring/hent_en.jsp?kid=20180000356018&sokeverdi=987470445&spraak=nb
- Neither has / had a broad distribution network on this side of the pond and resulting lack of awareness and limited appeal to the NA hobbyist. That has a direct reduction effect on any future resale price and in my experiences, an avoidance of dealer favourable trade-ins.
- the Electrocompaniet ECI 3 is described in the reviews and Euro Forums as being much more a potential synergy match problem with speakers . ( for example, ok with MLs and Harbeths but lousy with Thiels ,,,) Hence unless you have actually auditioned them with Sonus Fabers, that’s a high risk gamble that I would never make blindly.
- there are various audio forum posts that suggest the reliability of the ECI as lousy. That makes the first point a key item.
eg AGON : Serious problem with Electrocompaniet ECI-3
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/serious-problem-with-electrocompaniet-eci-3
FYI AGONer post Electrocompaniet ECI-3 vs Classe CAP-101
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/electrocompaniet-eci-3-vs-classe-cap-101
SFs apparently like power so the extra grunt (100 vs 70) in the PRIMARE that may steer you toward them
MY TAKE
There are many other just as good or better brand options out there for a decision in suitable good synergy match / budget matrix, especially if you are unable to actually audition them with your speakers.
MY TAKE ON CHOICE
- because they are old / discontinued models, what’s the inevitable repairs and parts availability pathway?
it
ELECTROCOMPANIET AS filed for bankruptcy today 19-06-2018???
Norwegian link https://w2.brreg.no/kunngjoring/hent_en.jsp?kid=20180000356018&sokeverdi=987470445&spraak=nb
- Neither has / had a broad distribution network on this side of the pond and resulting lack of awareness and limited appeal to the NA hobbyist. That has a direct reduction effect on any future resale price and in my experiences, an avoidance of dealer favourable trade-ins.
- the Electrocompaniet ECI 3 is described in the reviews and Euro Forums as being much more a potential synergy match problem with speakers . ( for example, ok with MLs and Harbeths but lousy with Thiels ,,,) Hence unless you have actually auditioned them with Sonus Fabers, that’s a high risk gamble that I would never make blindly.
- there are various audio forum posts that suggest the reliability of the ECI as lousy. That makes the first point a key item.
eg AGON : Serious problem with Electrocompaniet ECI-3
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/serious-problem-with-electrocompaniet-eci-3
FYI AGONer post Electrocompaniet ECI-3 vs Classe CAP-101
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/electrocompaniet-eci-3-vs-classe-cap-101
SFs apparently like power so the extra grunt (100 vs 70) in the PRIMARE that may steer you toward them
MY TAKE
There are many other just as good or better brand options out there for a decision in suitable good synergy match / budget matrix, especially if you are unable to actually audition them with your speakers.