Camden EC2 - Two Channel Preamp and Dual Headphone Mixer

Two discrete mic/line/hi-z preamps featuring the award-winning ‘Camden’ topology from the Camden 500 Preamp and Signal Processor for 500 series

Audio performance at the near-theoretical limits of noise, distortion, and phase/frequency linearity at all gain settings
- EIN: <-129.5dBu, 150 Ohm source, unweighted, <-135.5dBu, Inputs common, unweighted
- THD+N: <0.00025% (1kHz, 35dB gain, +24dBu out)
- Intermodulation Distortion: <0.0006% (50Hz and 7kHz, 35dB gain, +20dBu out),
- Phase Shift: <2.75° (20Hz to 20kHz, 40dB gain), <6° (20Hz to 20kHz, max gain)
- Freq. Response: ±0.7dB (<1 Hz to >1000 kHz, 35dB gain), ±1dB (<5 Hz to >200 kHz, max gain)

Unique 48v status LED
- 48v LED Lights Orange to indicate voltage charging or dissipating to prevent damage to ribbon microphones and to ensure voltage is fully charged before use
- 48v LED lights RED when voltage is fully charged and ready to use

Two instances of ‘Mojo’ analogue saturation circuits with variable control, true bypass, and 2 discrete styles - Thump and Cream
- Thump excites low-end content by boosting lower odd/even harmonics from a range of 160Hz to 20Hz and below
- Cream boosts odd/even harmonics whilst also reducing the amplitude of the fundamental frequencies and applying typical transformer-style transient taming

Two discrete headphone mixers with independant CH 1, CH 2, and Aux Input level controls
- Monitor the Camden preamps directly with headphones during mic placement to find the sweet spot of the instrument/source
- Create zero-latency artist mixes by combining the Camden preamps with external playback from Aux Input 14/” jacks on Camden EC2’s rear panel
- Use the reference grade headphone amps for critical listening by sending stereo mixes from the interface into the Aux input and monitoring directly using Camden EC2’s headphone outputs
- 'Stereo’ switch to pan CH1 & CH2 left and right in each headphone mix for true stereo monitoring

Two reference-quality, high-powered headphone amplifiers
- Freq. Response: <±1dB, <1 Hz to >100 kHz
- Output Impedance: 0.33 Ohms
- THD: 0.0003%, 1kHz
- Output Wattage: 2x250mW @ 600 Ohm, 2x450mW @ 220 Ohm, 2x250mW @ 100 Ohm

Balanced XLR outputs and impedance balanced ¼” jack outputs for maximum connectivity into audio interfaces and other downstream equipment

Dedicated Impedance balanced 1/4" Jack Link outputs for true instrument DI functionality and splitting instrument inputs to balanced or unbalanced amplifiers and effects

C.A.S.T. OUT port for connecting Camden EC2 into 500R8/500ADAT
- Transmit Camden EC2’s preamps directly into 500R8 and 500ADAT’s 500 series modules inputs for recording/processing
- Receive a stereo mix generated from 500R8/500ADAT and monitor using Camden EC2’s headphone mixers
- All managed and distributed via a single shielded Cat 5e, Cat 6, or Cat 7 cable

C.A.S.T. IN port for connecting N22/N22H Cat 5 snakes to relocate Camden EC2 I/O elsewhere in the studio
- Receive 2 mic/line signals from N22/N22H directly into the preamp inputs of Camden EC2
- Transmit Camden EC2’s Aux 1 headphone mix into N22/N22H for direct monitoring by the musician
- All managed and distributed via a single shielded Cat 5e, Cat 6, or cat 7 cable

External high-current 24v, 1.25a power supply with latching connector

All specifications are typical performance unless otherwise noted. All specifications are subject to change at any time. Tested with Audio Precision APx555.
Preamp
Test Signal Path	APx555 (Line Out) - Input 1 - Line Output - APx555 (Line In)
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
Max Input Level	Mic = +17.6dBu (<0.003% THD), Line = +26.5dBu (<0.02% THD), Hi-Z = +24dBu (<0.02% THD)
Minimum Gain	Mic= 8dB, Line = 0dB, Hi-Z = 3dB
Maximum Gain	Mic = 68dB, Line = 60dB, Hi-Z = 63dB
Equivalent Input Noise (EIN)	<-129.5dBu (150 Ohm source, unweighted), <-131dBu (150 Ohm source, A-weighted), <-135.5dBu (Inputs common, unweighted)
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)
Phase Shift	<2.75° (20Hz to 20kHz, 40dB Gain), <4° (20Hz to 20kHz, 63dB Gain), <6° (20Hz to 20kHz, Max Gain)
THD+N	<0.00025% (1kHz, 35dB Gain, +24dBu out)
Intermodulation Distortion	<0.0006% (50Hz and 7kHz, 35dB gain, +20dBu out), <0.0005% (50Hz and 7kHz, 35dB gain, +15dBu out)
Hi-Pass Filter (HPF)	80Hz, -3dB, 12dB/Oct
CMRR	>70dB, typ >85dB, 35dB gain, 10-20kHz, 100mV Common mode
Slew Rate	20V/uS, 35dB gain, +25dBu out
48v LED Thresholds	Off = 48v Off, voltage fully discharged Amber = 48v voltage charging/discharging Red = 48v fully charged
Signal LED Meter Thresholds	Blue = -20dBu Green = -12dBu Amber = +21dBu Red = +24dBu
Max Output Level	Balanced XLR = +27.5dBu (<0.002% THD, 30dB Gain) Impedance Balanced ¼” Jack = +21.5dBu (<0.002% THD, 30dB Gain)
Output Impedance	Balanced XLR = 150 Ohm Impedance Balanced 1/4” Jack = 150Ohm Balanced, 75 Ohm Unbalanced
Link Max Output Level	Impedance Balanced 1/4” Jack = +21.8dBu (<0.006% THD)
Link Output Impedance	Impedance Balanced 1/4” Jack = 75 Ohm Unbalanced, 150 Ohm Balanced (Buffered Output)

Headphone Amplifier
Test Signal Path	APx555 (Line Out) - AUX Input - Headphone Output - APx555 (Line In)
Frequency Response	-1dB, <1Hz to >70kHz
THD	<0.0006% (-104.4dB) @ +20dBu, 1kHz, A-weighted, 300 Ohm load
THD+N	<0.00085% (-101.4dB) @ +20dBu, 1kHz, A-weighted, 300 Ohm load
Output Impedance	0.33 Ohms
Output Wattage	250mW x 2 @ 600 Ohms, 1kHz
	650mW x 2 @ 220 Ohms, 1kHz
	1.21W x 2 @ 100 Ohms, 1kHz
	500mW x 2 @ 32 Ohms, 1kHz
Dynamic Range	114.5dB A-weighted, AES17 method, 20Hz - 20kHz, 300 Ohm load
Noise Floor	-93.5dBu A-weighted, 20Hz - 20kHz, 300 Ohm load
Power
AC Requirements	100V – 240V AC, 50 – 60 Hz
Total Power Consumption	24v, 1.25A DC, 30W
Environmental
Operating Temperature	+1 to 35 degrees Celsius
Storage Conditions	-20 to 50 degrees Celsius
Dims/Weights
Unit
Width	481mm (19") (Rackmount)
Height	44.45mm (1.75") (1u)
Depth	240mm (9.5")
Unit Weight	2.8kg (6.2lb)
Shipping Carton
Width	600mm (23.6")
Height	120mm (4.7")
Depth	350mm (13.8")
Carton Weight	4.1kg (9lb)

Two Channel Preamp

Based on the award-winning Camden 500 Preamp and Signal Processor for the 500 series lunchbox format, Camden EC2 combines the sonic capabilities of one of the markets cleanest and most transparent preamps with the flexibility of a standalone, 1u, 19” chassis that can integrate into any recording setup with or without 500 series connectivity.

Dual Headphone Mixer

More than two preamps in a metal box, Camden EC2 features Two reference-quality headphone amplifiers with independant line mixers that allow for direct monitoring of both Camden preamps using headphones connected directly to Camden EC2’s front panel.

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.

"The R8 is a recordist's dream, but for me I recognised that it was also going to be the perfect centrepiece for a hybrid mix setup, and it hasn't disappointed.

The guys at Cranborne have managed to produce something that not only sounds phenomenal, but is also extremely intuitive and fluid in use.

The flexibility of this unit is second to none, with a myriad of routing options available at the flick of a switch or the turn of a knob.

As soon as you start using it, it's obvious that this is a product designed by people that as well as being at the top of their game in terms of technical know-how, also work with music day in, day out,
and every feature has been put there in order to make getting a great end result fast and easy.

Great product, great people behind it, ridiculous price for what you get, what more can you ask for?!"

Matt Ransley

https://modernidiots.com/

“…It's a beautiful piece of kit and my seven year wish of having an ADAT I/O enabled 500-module rack has finally come true."

"I mainly intend to use the 500ADAT as an outboard effects loop for my DAWs. 500ADAT is being used (via its ADAT I/O) to route a master drum track out to a pair of DIYRE Colour modules and then through a stereo pair of Radial EXTC's to add some dub-style echos via a Strymon Volante pedal."

"It sounds excellent and is exactly the type of workflow I've been wanting to use with my growing collection of pedals and outboard. Best of all it makes everything very hands-on and tactile which lends itself to mixing with my ears rather than with my eyes. Great stuff for getting out-of-the-box!"

"Thanks again for seeing this journey through to completion and for filling a much needed niche with the 500ADAT. It's going to get a ton of use here in my home studio!..."

W Todd Reynolds

www.mauvemediaproductions.com

"So we just ran a quick test with R8+camden against a Scarlett. Not scientific or anything, but holy sh*t is there a big difference."

"Added a bit of mojo and the vocal sounded pretty much done. It actually sounded like it was EQ'd and compressed, like a final track pretty much."

"I'm more than happy! Can't wait to get a real session going."

Jukka Lariola

A Complete Studio Front End

Camden Ec2 is a Two channel 19", 1u preamp featuring award-winning Camden preamps, Mojo analogue saturation circuits, and dual reference-quality headphone amplifiers with discrete line mixers.

Award-Winning 'Camden' Preamp Topology

Advanced Tracking And Reamping Tool

C.A.S.T. Enabled

The Cranborne Audio family