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.

Award-Winning 'Camden' Preamp Topology

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.

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.

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.

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.

Advanced Tracking And Reamping Tool

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.

C.A.S.T. Enabled

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.

Signal Routing Before C.A.S.T

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.

Signal Routing Using C.A.S.T.

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.

Key Features

• 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