Cranborne Audio Camden EC1 Preamp, Signal Processor and Headphone Amp Overview
Cranborne Audio Camden EC1 Preamp, Signal Processor and Headphone Amp
This desktop-friendly processor combines Cranborne Audio’s critically acclaimed Camden 500 preamp with a reference-grade headphone amp and discrete line mixer.
Upgrade Your Audio Interface
The Cranborne Audio Camden EC1 is a compact, desktop-sized mic/line/instrument preamplifier and headphone mixer. If you’re looking to add some analogue character to your recording setup’s front-end, experience zero-latency monitoring and hear your headphones at their full potential, - the Camden EC1 is the solution. The Camden EC1’s convenient form factor, standalone functionality and abundance of I/O allows you to seamlessly integrate it with your audio interface of choice.
Camden 500 Preamp
The Camden EC1 boasts the same custom preamp found in their Camden 500 Series module, delivering the same astounding low-noise and low-distortion performance plus frequency and phase linearity even at the maximum gain setting (68.5dB). No matter the sound source or sensitivity of the microphone, the Camden EC1 can capture your audio with complete transparency - no noise or colouration added, no unwanted phase shift.
Easy Recall
The Gain is controlled by a 12-way rotary switch, making recall of your gain settings a breeze. The input features dedicated mic, line and hi-z input modes, allowing you to tailor the Camden EC1’s input impedance to any microphone or instrument. This versatile signal processor can also perform as a professional-quality instrument DI and line-level saturator thanks to each channel’s dedicated ¼” jack Link outputs.
Reamp Ready
In hi-z mode, the Camden EC1 is primed for tracking direct bass or electric guitar as well as reamping. The dedicated ¼” jack Link output can be used during reamping to split the instrument DI to balanced/unbalanced amps and effects pedals.
Real Vintage Flavour
The unique Mojo circuit is a discrete analogue saturator that transforms the Camden EC1 from one of the most transparent, precise and organic sounding preamps around to one with a thick, colourful character. With one dial, you can instantly imitate vintage transformer or valve-based preamps. The amount of saturation is totally variable, so you can dial-in the ideal amount of analogue saturation for your sound source - from subtle to severe. What sets the Mojo circuit apart from transformer-based designs is its ability to be fully bypassed. Simply turn the Mojo knob all the way down to engage the built-in true-bypass. Whether the session calls for cleanliness or character, the Camden EC1 has you covered.
Cranborne Audio have equipped the Camden EC1 with an External Line Input, which can be used to apply authentic analogue colour to your line-level sources during tracking and your DAW tracks or stereo bus during mixing.
C.A.S.T. Ready
The Camden EC1 preamp, headphone amp and line mixer is outfitted with Cranborne Audio’s unique C.A.S.T. system. This plug-and-play system eliminates annoying cable spaghetti and makes distributing around the stage or studio a breeze, using affordable and readily-available Cat 5e, Cat 6 or Cat 7 cabling to achieve excellent sonic results.
If you’re a Cranborne Audio 500R8 or 500ADAT 500 Series rack user, you can use the C.A.S.T. system to effortlessly integrate your Camden EC1. With one cable, you can send the Camden EC1’s preamp directly to the interface’s input and transmit the built-in monitor mix from the 500R8/500ADAT to the EC1’s headphone mixer.
UK Design
Like all Cranborne Audio products, the Camden EC1 has been precision engineered and designed in the UK. This is a seriously robust and feature-packed device that’ll benefit your professional or project studio for many years to come. With impressive specs like these, you’d expect the Camden EC1 to come in at a much higher price point. Instead, it’s an affordable solution for any engineer or artist who demands pro-level sound.
- 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)
- 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
- 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
- Monitor the Camden preamp directly with headphones during mic placement to find the sweet spot of the instrument/source
- Create zero-latency artist mixes by combining the Camden preamp with external playback from Aux Input 1/4” jacks on Camden EC1’s rear panel
- Use the reference grade headphone amplifier for critical listening by sending stereo mixes from the interface into the Aux input and monitoring directly using Camden EC1’s headphone output
- 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
- -10dB PAD to attenuate preamp output for lowheadroom audio interfaces
- Transmit Camden EC1’s preamp and Ext Input 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 EC1’s headphone mixer
- All managed and distributed via a single shielded Cat 5e, Cat 6, or Cat 7 cable
- 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)
- 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
- AC Requirements: 100V – 240V AC, 50 – 60 Hz
- Total Power Consumption: 24v, 1.25A DC, 30W
- Operating Temperature: +1 to 35 degrees Celsius
- Storage Conditions: -20 to 50 degrees Celsius
- Width: 220mm (8.6”)
- Height: 44.45mm (1.75") (1u)
- Depth: 240mm (9.5")
- Unit Weight: 1.8kg (3.9lb)
