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All specifications are typical performance unless otherwise noted. All specifications are subject to change at any time. Tested with Audio Precision APx555. |
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Preamp |
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Test Signal Path |
APx555 (Line Out) - Input 1 - Line Output - APx555 (Line In) |
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Input Impedance |
Mic= 8.9 kOhms 48v Off, 5.4 kOhms 48v ON, Line = 24.3 kOhms, Hi-Z= 1.5 MOhm Unbalanced, 3 MOhm Balanced |
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Max Input Level |
Mic = +17.6dBu (<0.003% THD), Line = +26.5dBu (<0.02% THD), Hi-Z = +24dBu (<0.02% THD) |
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Minimum Gain |
Mic= 8dB, Line = 0dB, Hi-Z = 3dB |
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Maximum Gain |
Mic = 68dB, Line = 60dB, Hi-Z = 63dB |
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Equivalent Input Noise (EIN) |
<-129.5dBu (150 Ohm source, unweighted), <-131dBu (150 Ohm source, A-weighted), <-135.5dBu (Inputs common, unweighted) |
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Frequency Response |
±0.7dB (<1 Hz to >1000 kHz, Min Gain), ±0.7dB (<1 Hz to >1000 kHz, 35dB Gain), ±1dB (<1.5 Hz to 900 kHz, 63dB Gain), ±1dB (<5 Hz to >200 kHz, Max Gain) |
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Phase Shift |
<2.75° (20Hz to 20kHz, 40dB Gain), <4° (20Hz to 20kHz, 63dB Gain), |
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THD+N |
<0.00025% (1kHz, 35dB Gain, +24dBu out) |
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Intermodulation Distortion |
<0.0006% (50Hz and 7kHz, 35dB gain, +20dBu out), <0.0005% (50Hz and 7kHz, 35dB gain, +15dBu out) |
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Hi-Pass Filter (HPF) |
80Hz, -3dB, 12dB/Oct |
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CMRR |
>70dB, typ >85dB, 35dB gain, 10-20kHz, 100mV Common mode |
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Slew Rate |
20V/uS, 35dB gain, +25dBu out |
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48v LED Thresholds |
Off = 48v Off, voltage fully discharged Amber = 48v voltage charging/discharging Red = 48v fully charged |
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Signal LED Meter Thresholds |
Blue = -20dBu Green = -12dBu Amber = +21dBu Red = +24dBu |
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Max Output Level |
Balanced XLR = +27.5dBu (<0.002% THD, 30dB Gain) Impedance Balanced ¼” Jack = +21.5dBu (<0.002% THD, 30dB Gain) |
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Output Impedance |
Balanced XLR = 150 Ohm Impedance Balanced 1/4” Jack = 150Ohm Balanced, 75 Ohm Unbalanced |
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Link Max Output Level |
Impedance Balanced 1/4” Jack = +21.8dBu (<0.006% THD) |
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Link Output Impedance |
Impedance Balanced 1/4” Jack = 75 Ohm Unbalanced, 150 Ohm Balanced (Buffered Output) |
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Headphone Amplifier |
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Test Signal Path |
APx555 (Line Out) - AUX Input - Headphone Output - APx555 (Line In) |
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Frequency Response |
-1dB, <1Hz to >70kHz |
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THD |
<0.0006% (-104.4dB) @ +20dBu, 1kHz, A-weighted, 300 Ohm load |
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THD+N |
<0.00085% (-101.4dB) @ +20dBu, 1kHz, A-weighted, 300 Ohm load |
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Output Impedance |
0.33 Ohms |
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Output Wattage |
250mW x 2 @ 600 Ohms, 1kHz |
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650mW x 2 @ 220 Ohms, 1kHz |
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1.21W x 2 @ 100 Ohms, 1kHz |
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500mW x 2 @ 32 Ohms, 1kHz |
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Dynamic Range |
114.5dB A-weighted, AES17 method, 20Hz - 20kHz, 300 Ohm load |
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Noise Floor |
-93.5dBu A-weighted, 20Hz - 20kHz, 300 Ohm load |
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Power |
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AC Requirements |
100V – 240V AC, 50 – 60 Hz |
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Total Power Consumption |
24v, 1.25A DC, 30W |
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Environmental |
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Operating Temperature |
+1 to 35 degrees Celsius |
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Storage Conditions |
-20 to 50 degrees Celsius |
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Dims/Weights |
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Unit |
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Width |
481mm (19") (Rackmount) |
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Height |
44.45mm (1.75") (1u) |
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Depth |
240mm (9.5") |
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Unit Weight |
2.8kg (6.2lb) |
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Shipping Carton |
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Width |
600mm (23.6") |
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Height |
120mm (4.7") |
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Depth |
350mm (13.8") |
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Carton Weight |
4.1kg (9lb) |
Featuring two discrete instances of Cranborne Audio’s ‘Camden’ preamp topology, Camden EC2 achieves unprecedented low-noise and low-distortion performance as well as frequency and phase linearity at all gain settings.
Ultra-Clean and Transparent Performance
Camden EC2’s preamps exhibit performance specifications that rival and exceed the most revered ‘transparent’ preamps on the market.
With Vintage Mojo On Tap
With two discrete Mojo styles, Camden EC2 takes on the persona of vintage transformer-based preamps using its Thump Mojo or gooey tube-based preamps using its Cream Mojo.
Capture your audio sources with complete transparency; boost low-sensitivity microphones without adding noise; and capture instant transients without phase shifts that cause summing abnormalities.
Unlike transformer or valve-based preamps, Mojo’s saturation is completely variable allowing you to dial-in the amount of saturation you need for each source. Keep it at 3-4 for authentic preamp THD or crank it up to 11 for a more exaggerated effect.
Camden EC2 By The Numbers
Put simply, Camden EC2 is one of the cleanest, most linear, and transparent preamps on the market. Our ‘Camden’ preamp topology allows us to push the boundaries of Frequency Response, Phase Shift, Noise, and THD performance; and we have all the specs to back that up.
Equivalent Input Noise (EIN): <-129.5dBu (150 Ohm source, unweighted)
Frequency Response: ±0.7dB (<1 Hz to >1000 kHz, 35dB Gain)
Phase Shift: <4° (20Hz to 20kHz, 63dB Gain)
THD+N: <0.00025% (1kHz, 35dB Gain, +24dBu out)
For a comprehensive list of technical specs, check out the Tech Specs tab at the top of the page.
Two reference-quality headphone amplifiers with independent line mixers allow for direct monitoring of both Camden preamps using headphones connected directly to Camden EC2’s front panel.
Headphone Amps Built-In
Monitor the preamp signals directly using headphones during mic placement to find the sweet spot of the instrument/source or create zero-latency artist mixes by combining the preamps with external playback from the Aux Input jacks on Camden EC2’s rear panel.
Link Output For Reamping
Connect your instrument to one preamp using the hi-z input, connect the ¼” Link output of that preamp to your instrument amplifier/effects pedal, and capture that signal using the second preamp. Record both preamps simultaneously and reamp the dry DI at a later date.
Using C.A.S.T., 500R8/500ADAT users can relocate Camden EC2's preamps and headphone amps into the live room using a single Cat 5e, Cat 6, or Cat 7 cable whilst freeing-up 500 series slots in 500R8/500ADAT for more EQ and Compressor modules and extra processing before hitting 500R8/500ADAT’s converters.
Send Camden EC2’s preamps directly to 500R8/500ADAT's inputs ready for further processing and recording using a single Shielded Cat 5e, Cat 6, or Cat 7 cable.
At the same time through the same cable, 500R8/500ADAT transmit their built-in monitor mix directly to Camden EC2’s headphone mixer for monitoring.
I think these will become a classic. This is the most versatile preamp I have ever used. I tried to beat it with plugins and just couldn't come close.
Extremely transparent, low noise preamp with the option to add character via the two “Mojo” circuits “Cream” and “Thump”. I bought these to replace some more expensive ”clean” preamps and the added bonus of the mojo feels like I got an upgrade in doing so. Ended up going back for more Mojo and now I have 4 of these!
To summarize: This is the best preamp in 500 series and one of the best in the world in general, and it's from a very fair company that has fair prices and which has a true focus on high sound quality above all.
I bought these to replace some more expensive ”clean” preamps and the added bonus of the mojo feels like I got an upgrade in doing so. Ended up going back for more Mojo and now I have 4 of these!
I got one, then immediately another - I've used them to track drums. In one instance I was short 1 pre and had to use this on the extra floor tom along side the RND 511's on rack 1 and floor 1. Wow. Nothing lacking at all amongst the 3 pres. I've been also using them extensively in tracking and mixing and the mojo is infinitely useful. Zero'd out with line level material run back through- they are invisible. For a modular, hybrid, systems where it's useful to have tools with many uses ... this earns its place straight away and rivals 500 dollar price point preamps.
I got one, then immediately another - I've used them to track drums. In one instance I was short 1 pre and had to use this on the extra floor tom along side the RND 511's on rack 1 and floor 1. Wow. Nothing lacking at all amongst the 3 pres. I've been also using them extensively in tracking and mixing and the mojo is infinitely useful. Zero'd out with line level material run back through- they are invisible. For a modular, hybrid, systems where it's useful to have tools with many uses ... this earns its place straight away and rivals 500 dollar price point preamps.
Have had a pair of these fabulous preamps in my rack for about a year and my Neve and UA preamps are pretty much gathering dust. Fabulous clean but not sterile sound with extremely low noise floor. I pair them with my Sphere L22 and the combination is unbeatable. Transparency coupled with ultra low noise, a very natural and warm sound.
Everything I read about is True!
I just received this yesterday. I tried it with a SM7B and TLM 102. The clarity and upfront sound is impressive! Add in a little Mojo and we're talking next level richness and detail! I was leary about stepping a little outside the box, so to speak, but glad I took that leap of faith after reading reviews from SOS. Great Price, Amazing Sound!!!
The other "clean" preamps I have owned and have some pretty extensive experience with are the Grace and Millennia brands. Grace always sounded glassy to me. I love the Millennia preamps.
The Camden manages to upstage them both. How they are doing this at this price point is straight up voodoo. Sound amazing with my solid state mics and my tube mics. Balanced across all frequencies, the clean setting is flat out amazing and punches WAY above where it should be punching.
The mojo settings are very cool. Thump for some extra low end and Cream for some extra high end. I will probably be leaving it mostly on the clean setting for vocals, which is what I primarily record.
DI sounds great. Did some Baritone guitar tracks direct and I am extremely pleased with the results.
Pretty blown away. Would be very happy with a large lunchbox full or nothing but these.
Cranborne Audio, Harvest House, Cranborne Rd, Potters Bar, EN6 3JF
Phone: 01707 656500
