Cranborne Audio Camden EC1
The Cranborne Audio Camden EC1 is a desktop mic, line and Hi-Z preamp, analogue signal processor and reference-quality headphone amplifier built around Cranborne Audio’s award-winning Camden preamp topology. Housed in a compact half-rack chassis, it combines transparent microphone amplification, Mojo analogue saturation, zero-latency headphone monitoring and flexible studio connectivity in a single unit.
Camden EC1 provides up to 68 dB of microphone gain and is designed for extremely low noise, distortion and phase shift. Its mic, line and Hi-Z inputs allow microphones, instruments and line-level sources to be recorded through the same preamp architecture, while two selectable Mojo circuits provide alternative analogue saturation characteristics when additional colour is required.
Camden Mic, Line and Hi-Z Preamp
At the heart of the Camden EC1 is Cranborne Audio’s Camden preamp topology, originally developed for the Camden 500.
With Mojo bypassed, Camden EC1 is designed to provide highly transparent amplification with exceptionally low noise and distortion. The microphone input offers up to 68 dB of gain, making it suitable for sources ranging from condenser microphones to lower-output dynamic and ribbon microphones.
The preamp also accommodates line-level signals and Hi-Z instruments, allowing Camden EC1 to serve as a flexible front end for microphones, synthesisers, guitars, basses and other studio sources.
Mojo Analogue Saturation
Camden EC1 includes Cranborne Audio’s variable Mojo analogue saturation circuit with two distinct processing styles: Thump and Cream.
Thump is a transformer-style saturation mode that excites low-frequency content by boosting lower odd and even harmonics from approximately 160 Hz down to 20 Hz and below.
Cream provides tube-style saturation, increasing odd and even harmonic content while reducing the amplitude of the fundamental frequencies and applying transformer-style transient taming.
The Mojo circuit features variable control and true bypass, allowing the Camden EC1 to move from transparent amplification to increasingly coloured analogue processing.
Reference-Quality Headphone Amplifier
Camden EC1 incorporates a high-powered reference-quality headphone amplifier derived from the headphone amplifier design developed for Cranborne Audio’s 500R8.
The amplifier delivers up to 1.21 watts per channel into 100 ohms and features a 0.33-ohm output impedance. Its wide frequency response and low distortion make it suitable for recording, critical monitoring, mixing and mastering applications.
Zero-Latency Headphone Monitoring
The integrated headphone mixer allows the Camden preamp signal to be monitored directly without DAW latency.
Independent controls are provided for the preamp channel, external input and auxiliary input. Stereo playback from an audio interface or DAW can be connected through the rear-panel Aux inputs and mixed with the live preamp signal directly within Camden EC1.
This enables performers to create a true zero-latency monitoring mix while recording.
Instrument DI and Link Output
The Hi-Z input can be used as an instrument DI, while the dedicated impedance-balanced 1/4-inch Link output allows the instrument signal to be split and routed to additional equipment.
This makes it possible to record a direct instrument signal while simultaneously feeding an amplifier or effects chain for recording or reamping workflows.
Flexible Analogue Outputs
Camden EC1 provides a balanced XLR main output together with an impedance-balanced 1/4-inch jack output.
A switchable -10 dB output pad can attenuate the preamp output when connecting Camden EC1 to audio interfaces or other equipment with lower available input headroom.
48V Phantom Power Status Indication
The Camden EC1 features a dedicated 48V phantom power status LED.
The LED illuminates amber while phantom voltage is charging or dissipating and changes to red once the voltage is fully charged and ready for use. This provides a clear indication of the phantom power state when connecting microphones.
C.A.S.T. Connectivity
Camden EC1 includes a C.A.S.T. OUT port for integration with Cranborne Audio’s 500R8 and 500ADAT.
Using a single shielded Cat 5e, Cat 6 or Cat 7 cable, the Camden EC1 preamp signal and external input can be transmitted to compatible Cranborne Audio hardware for recording or additional processing.
At the same time, a stereo monitor mix generated by the 500R8 or 500ADAT can be returned to Camden EC1 for monitoring through its integrated headphone mixer.
Key Features
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Discrete mic, line and Hi-Z Camden preamp
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Up to 68 dB microphone gain
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Extremely low noise and distortion
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Mojo analogue saturation
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Variable Mojo processing control
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THUMP transformer-style saturation
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CREAM tube-style saturation
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True bypass for Mojo processing
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48V phantom power
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Dedicated phantom power status LED
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80 Hz high-pass filter
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Reference-quality headphone amplifier
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Integrated discrete headphone mixer
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True zero-latency monitoring
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Independent preamp, external input and Aux input headphone level controls
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Up to 1.21 W per channel headphone output power into 100 ohms
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0.33-ohm headphone output impedance
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Balanced XLR output
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Impedance-balanced 1/4-inch output
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Switchable -10 dB output pad
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Dedicated impedance-balanced Link output for instrument DI applications
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C.A.S.T. OUT connectivity
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Compatible with Cranborne Audio 500R8 and 500ADAT
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Audio distribution over shielded Cat 5e, Cat 6 or Cat 7 cable
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Compact half-rack desktop chassis
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Optional rackmount kit
Technical Specifications
Preamp
Mic input impedance: 8.9 kOhms with 48V off, 5.4 kOhms with 48V on
Line input impedance: 24.3 kOhms
Hi-Z input impedance: 1.5 MOhm unbalanced / 3 MOhm balanced
Maximum mic input level: +17.6 dBu
Maximum line input level: +26.5 dBu
Maximum Hi-Z input level: +24 dBu
Minimum gain: Mic 8 dB / Line 0 dB / Hi-Z 3 dB
Maximum gain: Mic 68 dB / Line 60 dB / Hi-Z 63 dB
Equivalent input noise: < -129.5 dBu, 150-ohm source, unweighted
Frequency response: ±0.7 dB, <1 Hz to >1000 kHz at 35 dB gain
THD+N: <0.00025% at 1 kHz, 35 dB gain, +24 dBu output
Intermodulation distortion: <0.0006% at 50 Hz and 7 kHz, 35 dB gain, +20 dBu output
High-pass filter: 80 Hz, -3 dB, 12 dB/octave
CMRR: >70 dB, typically >85 dB
Slew rate: 20 V/µs
Maximum balanced XLR output: +27.5 dBu
Maximum impedance-balanced 1/4-inch output: +21.5 dBu
Output impedance: 150 ohms
Headphone Amplifier
Frequency response: -1 dB, <1 Hz to >70 kHz
THD: <0.0006% at +20 dBu, 1 kHz, A-weighted, 300-ohm load
THD+N: <0.00085% at +20 dBu, 1 kHz, A-weighted, 300-ohm load
Output impedance: 0.33 ohms
Dynamic range: 114.5 dB A-weighted
Noise floor: -93.5 dBu A-weighted
Output power:
250 mW × 2 at 600 ohms
650 mW × 2 at 220 ohms
1.21 W × 2 at 100 ohms
500 mW × 2 at 32 ohms
Power and Dimensions
Power requirement: 24V DC, 1.25A
Power consumption: 30 W
AC requirement: 100 to 240V AC, 50 to 60 Hz
Width: 220 mm
Height: 44.45 mm / 1U
Depth: 240 mm
Weight: 1.8 kg
