Clearaudio
Clearaudio Maestro V2 Ebony Phono Cartridge
Best high-end moving magnet upgrade for discerning vinyl enthusiasts.
Experience unparalleled sound reproduction with the Clearaudio Maestro V2 Ebony Phono Cartridge. Engineered for discerning audiophiles, its hand-polished ebony body combines elegance with precision. This top-tier Moving Magnet cartridge offers superior channel balance, minimal distortion, and an expansive dynamic range for a rich, detailed, and balanced audio experience. Crafted in Germany, it utilizes innovative technologies and stringent quality control for exceptional longevity and performance, setting new standards for high-fidelity vinyl playback.
$1500.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.5
/ 5
Category Rank
957
/ 1637
#957 in Turntable Accessories
Price vs Category Average
+19%
Above average
Material
Hand-polished ebony
/ Hand-polished ebony
Who it's for
- Audiophiles seeking nuanced musical textures and precise tracking
- Listeners prioritizing a clean, focused, and vibration-free soundstage
- Vinyl enthusiasts wanting high-end performance without specialized preamps
Who should skip it
- Budget-conscious buyers comparing value against moving coil alternatives
- Owners wanting convenient, low-cost stylus replacement options
- Novice users intimidated by complex cartridge alignment procedures
Performance breakdown
Channel Separation
Exceptional stereo imaging creates a wide and immersive soundstage.
Tracking Precision
The boron cantilever ensures stable, accurate retrieval of complex grooves.
Build Quality
Hand-polished ebony housing effectively minimizes unwanted resonance and vibration.
Signal Output
High voltage output delivers impressive dynamics without needing extra amplification.
Tonal Balance
Delivers a rich, detailed sound profile that remains consistently natural.
System Compatibility
Standard mounting makes integration with most modern tonearms remarkably simple.
Key Specs
Material
Hand-polished ebony
Cartridge Type
Moving Magnet (MM)
Weight
7.0 grams
Mounting Type
Standard 1/2 Inch
Stylus Shape
Elliptical
Phono Stage Type
MM
Output Voltage
3.6mV
Channel Separation
Greater Than 35dB
Features
- Hand-polished ebony housing for exceptional weight
- Superior stereo channel matching and minimal distortion
- Highest dynamic range for vivid audio
- Detailed and textured sound reproduction
- Compatible with all current tonearms
- Solid boron rod cantilever for resolving power
- High output voltage rivals MC cartridges
- Resonance-optimized housing for natural sound
What customers say
The Clearaudio Maestro V2 Ebony Phono Cartridge earns high praise for its exceptional sound reproduction and premium build quality. Enthusiasts consistently highlight its detailed, transparent, and dynamic performance, noting its ability to reveal musical nuance across a wide, deep soundstage. Bass is taut and treble is clear, offering an immersive listening upgrade. Beyond its sonic strengths, the exquisite ebony body reflects superior craftsmanship. While a premium investment, the overwhelming consensus is that this cartridge delivers substantial value for serious listeners seeking an uncompromised analog experience. Proper setup is key to unlocking its full potential.
Know before you buy
The hand-polished ebony body is chosen for its specific resonance-damping properties. By minimizing unwanted vibrations, the housing allows the cartridge to extract more detail and texture from your records, resulting in a more natural, balanced sound.
The Maestro V2 features a standard 1/2-inch mounting type and is compatible with all current tonearms. As a Moving Magnet (MM) cartridge, it is designed to work with any standard MM phono stage without the need for additional step-up transformers.
With an output voltage of 3.6mV, this cartridge provides a high signal level that rivals many Moving Coil designs. This ensures a strong, clean signal for your phono stage, resulting in a low noise floor and excellent dynamic range.
Boron is an exceptionally stiff and lightweight material. Using it for the cantilever allows the stylus to track the record groove with extreme precision, which translates to better resolving power and a more vivid, accurate audio reproduction.
The tracking force range is 2.0g to 2.5g, with 2.2g being the manufacturer's recommended setting. We suggest starting at 2.2g and making minor adjustments within that range to suit your specific tonearm and listening preferences.
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$1500