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Cranborne Audio Camden EC2 Microphone Preamp, Processor, and Headphone Amplifier

BH #CRACAMDENEC2 • MFR #CA-CAMDENEC2
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Cranborne Audio Camden EC2 Microphone Preamp, Processor, and Headphone Amplifier
Key Features
  • For Musicians, VO Artists & Podcasters
  • Variable Mojo Analog Saturation Circuits
  • Discrete Mic / Line / Hi-Z Camden Preamp
  • Extremely Low Noise and Distortion
Designed to be the ultimate performer's recording and mixing front end, the Camden EC2 from Cranborne Audio is a versatile microphone preamp, signal processor, and reference-grade headphone amp in one compact, portable desktop unit. With two of Camden's award-winning preamps that feature Mojo analog saturation on tap in three distinct flavors (Thump for transformer-style saturation, Cream for tube-style saturation, and True Bypass for pristine transparency), you can dial in any tone you want on mics, line-level signals, and Hi-Z instruments.
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Cranborne Audio EC2 Overview

From Manufacturer

Designed to be the ultimate performer's recording and mixing front end, the Camden EC2 from Cranborne Audio is a versatile microphone preamp, signal processor, and reference-grade headphone amp in one compact, portable desktop unit. With two of Camden's award-winning preamps that feature Mojo analog saturation on tap in three distinct flavors (Thump for transformer-style saturation, Cream for tube-style saturation, and True Bypass for pristine transparency), you can dial in any tone you want on mics, line-level signals, and Hi-Z instruments.

The audio performance of the EC2 approaches the theoretical limits of analog audio technology with extraordinarily low noise and distortion, and incredible phase and frequency linearity across all available gain settings. The powerful headphone amp features two discrete mixers with independent level controls. You get stereo pairs of balanced XLR and impedance-matched balanced and unbalanced 1/4" I/O for handling any studio setup or signal chain. The external high-current power supply provides a larger-than-average 24V of power for high-performance operation and sports a latching connector for reliability. The EC2 includes an external power supply, an IEC power cable, and four rubber feet for desktop placement.

Award-Winning Preamp Performance
Connect the Camden EC2 to your audio interface and experience the award-winning sound of the Camden preamp design. Providing up to 68 dB of pristine, clean gain, Camden EC2 is the perfect preamp to pair with low-gain dynamic microphones and ribbon mics.
Powerful Headphone Monitoring
Featuring a reference-grade high-powered headphone amp with a dedicated line mixer, Camden EC2 gives you true zero-latency mastering-quality monitoring of your preamps that's effortlessly mixed with playback from your DAW.
3 World-Class Preamps in 1
Thanks to its custom Mojo harmonic saturation control, the Camden EC2 offers 3 flavors of preamp tone that can be dialed to taste:

  • Thump provides transformer-style saturation with natural and dynamic low-end thickening at halfway and warm sustain without muddiness at 100%
  • Cream delivers tube-style saturation with compression effects at halfway, tape-style saturated high frequencies and sub-frequency harmonics at 70%, and fat transients with midrange compression and noticeable overdrive at 100%
  • True Bypass gives you the pure, uncolored EC1 preamp, with pristine transparency, high detail, and virtually nonexistent noise and distortion
Immersive Headphone Amplifier
Monitor the Camden preamp in true zero latency using headphones connected directly to the front panel, and mix in external DAW playback using the stereo 1/4" aux input jacks on the Camden EC2's rear panel. With the same reference-grade design developed for the 500R8 audio interface, Camden EC2's headphone amps deliver up to 1.2W of clean power per ear and a flat frequency response from <1 Hz to 70 kHz, perfect to power any set of headphones with clean power.
Portable, Powerful, and Timeless
Housed in a half-rack desktop format, you can take the Camden EC2 with you studio to studio or onstage. Dial in your sonic signature, and control your own consistent and pristine headphone monitoring.

Devoid of software updates and USB standards, the Camden EC2 is with you for the long haul. Even when you upgrade your surrounding studio, the Camden EC2 will always provide your tonal benchmark.

Ideal for a Wide Range of Applications
Musicians
  • Develop your own signature sound using Mojo saturation, and take it with you on the road or from studio to studio
  • Record natural forgiving instrument DIs that perfectly capture the character of your pickups and instrument
  • Split the Hi-Z signals using the Link Output to record both the DI and a processed amp signal, perfect for reamping workflows
Engineers
  • Critique your mix or master using a true reference-grade headphone amp with clean power and enough volume to make your headphones shine
  • Offer true zero-latency mixes to your clients that can be controlled using two simple controls directly on the front panel for Preamp, Aux In, and DAW level
  • Comprehensive connectivity including balanced XLR and 1/4" impedance-balanced preamp outputs, and a 10 dB pad to prevent clipping of your converters
Voiceover Artists
  • Monitor your vocal channel directly using headphones connected to the preamp itself
  • Use Mojo to apply different characters to your voice
  • Use Thump for intimacy
  • Cream for excitement
  • Record using the Mojo settings for a streamlined workflow
Podcasters
  • Apply 68 dB of gain to low-sensitivity microphones such as the Shure SM7b or Electro-Voice RE20 without adding noise or coloration
  • Monitor your own voice in zero latency as well as your program output using the reference-grade headphone amp built into the front panel
C.A.S.T. Out Port
Transmit Camden EC2's preamp and Ext Input directly into the 500R8 and 500ADAT's 500-series module inputs for recording and processing
Receive a stereo mix generated from 500R8 or 500ADAT, and monitor using the EC2 headphone mixer
All managed and distributed via single shielded Cat 5e, Cat 6, or Cat 7 cable

Cranborne Audio EC2 Specs

General
Dynamic Range
Headphone Amp: 114.5 dBA (A-Weighted, AES17 Method, 20 Hz to 20 kHz, 300-Ohm Load
Frequency Response
Preamp: <5 Hz to >200 kHz (±1 dB, Max Gain)
Headphone Amp: <1 Hz to >70 kHz (-1 dB)
Input Impedance
Mic: 8.9 Kilohms (48V Off), 5.4 Kilohms (48V On)
Line: 24.3 Kilohms
Hi-Z: 1.5 Megohms (Unbalanced), 3 Megohms (Balanced)
Maximum Input Level
Mic: +17.6 dBu (<0.003% THD)
Line: +26.5 dBu (<0.02% THD)
Hi-Z: +24 dBu (<0.02% THD)
Maximum Output Level
Balanced XLR: +27.5 dBu (<0.002% THD, 30 dB Gain)
Balanced 1/4": +21.5 dBu (<0.002% THD, 30 dB Gain)
Output Impedance
Preamp: 150 Ohms (XLR, Balanced 1/4"), 75 Ohms (Unbalanced 1/4")
Headphone Amp: 0.33 Ohms
Noise
Headphone Amp: -93.5 dBA
THD
Headphone Amp: <0.0006% (-104.4 dB at +20 dBu, 1 kHz, A-Weighted, 300-Ohm Load)
EIN
<-135.5 dBu
THD+N
Preamp: <0.00025% (1 kHz, 35 dB Gain, +24 dBu Out)
Headphone Amp: <0.00085% (+20 dBu, 1 kHz, A-Weighted, 300-Ohm Load)
Inputs/Outputs
Audio I/O
2x XLR 3-Pin Mic Input
2x XLR 3-Pin Line Output
2x 1/4" TS Hi-Z/Instrument/Line Input (Selectable Hi-Z- or Line-Level Input)
2x 1/4" TRS Line Output
2x 1/4" TRS Headphone Output
2x 1/4" TRS Output (Link)
2x 1/4" TRS Aux Input (1 Stereo Pair, L/M and R)
2x RJ45 ADAT Output (C.A.S.T. Output)
Power
Power Source
AC Adapter with Power Brick (Included)
AC Input Power
100 to 240 VAC, 50 / 60 Hz
DC Input Power
24 VDC at 1.25 A
Power Consumption
30 W
Operating Current
1.25 A
Physical
Mounting
Front: 4x Standard Rackmount Hole
Color
Black / Silver
Material of Construction
Metal
Operating Conditions
33 to 95°F / 1 to 35°C
Storage Conditions
-4 to 122°F / -20 to 50°C
Dimensions
18.9 x 9.4 x 1.75" / 48.1 x 24 x 4.45 cm
Weight
6.2 lb / 2.8 kg
Packaging Info
Package Weight
8.89 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
22.7 x 14.4 x 4.6"

Cranborne Audio EC2 Reviews

Great Clean Preamp + 0 Latency mix monitor!

By Sahni
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2024-02-02

About as good as it gets for a microphone preamp. It's worth it to get this or the EC1 as a front end for your recording setup if you're in the market. The headphone mixing makes it perfect: That way you never really have to worry about buffer or latency settings in your interface. Plenty of power for all headphones (more than I've ever heard in any recording interface!) and quite clean too. (Almost too powerful for IEMS though! - it works but you may need to turn things way down though) If you look up reviews/specs: it measures really well: you can't do any better for a clean preamp or DI. I've never been a fan of tube pres or transformer pres: but if you want that sound: the Mojo actually gets that type of sound but better anyways if you want 'tone'. (I simply just never switch it on) The external power supply I'm not a fan of: I'd happily pay a bit more for a larger chassis and internal power supply. It's just one of those: if your cable breaks or you run it over with a chair or the pins get damaged - a replacement may not be easy to find and if you have something important to record and need to wait a week or months if this is your only preamp - that may not be what you want. I'd suggest first buying a DPA or earthworks mic or another SDC that works great on vocals and any instrument: they make the biggest difference. Then interface as most interface preamps are pretty clean - and then one of these after that. These have more headroom and just sound a bit less compressed than most other preamps (easier to hear with IEMS) but a microphone and placement is obviously more important. Though the 0 latency headphone monitoring might actually be quite important too - to make sure you get a good take? Either way - the EC1 or EC2 are great!

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