Clearaudio
Clearaudio Artist V2 Ebony Phono Cartridge
Best high-output upgrade for vinyl enthusiasts seeking warm, natural sound.
Immerse yourself in the authentic sound of vinyl with the Clearaudio Artist V2 Ebony-wood High-output MM Phono Cartridge. Crafted with a premium ebony-wood body, this cartridge offers a visually stunning aesthetic and contributes to a warm, natural soundstage. Its high-output Moving Magnet (MM) design ensures broad compatibility with various phono preamplifiers. Precision engineered for rich, detailed audio reproduction, it's an ideal choice for upgrading your turntable setup and experiencing every nuance of your music collection with exceptional clarity and fidelity.
$700.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.5
/ 5
Category Rank
957
/ 1637
#957 in Turntable Accessories
Price vs Category Average
-44%
Below average
Cartridge Type
Moving Magnet (MM)
/ Moving Magnet (MM)
Who it's for
- Audiophiles seeking deep musical texture and expansive soundscapes
- Listeners prioritizing pure, vibration-free sonic clarity
- Vinyl collectors demanding precise tracking on complex recordings
Who should skip it
- Budget-conscious buyers wary of high maintenance and replacement costs
- Beginners lacking experience with delicate turntable calibration
- Owners of standard systems without high-gain phono amplification
Performance breakdown
Sonic Warmth
Ebony housing imparts a rich, organic character to every record.
System Compatibility
High-output design pairs effortlessly with standard moving magnet phono stages.
Build Quality
Precision-crafted wood body offers both structural rigidity and visual elegance.
Detail Retrieval
Extracts nuanced textures from the groove with impressive clarity and focus.
Installation Ease
Standard half-inch mounting ensures a straightforward setup for most tonearms.
Soundstage Depth
Creates a wide, immersive listening environment that breathes life into recordings.
Key Specs
Cartridge Type
Moving Magnet (MM)
Body Material
Ebony-wood
Output
High-output
Mounting Type
Standard 1/2 Inch
Accessory Type
Cartridge
Phono Stage Type
MM
Features
- Premium ebony-wood body for superior sound
- High-output MM design for broad compatibility
- Rich and detailed audio reproduction
- Exceptional vinyl playback performance
- Visually stunning aesthetic
- Precision engineered for clarity
- Warm and natural soundstage
- Elevates turntable setup
What customers say
Audiophiles consistently praise the Clearaudio Artist V2 Ebony Phono Cartridge for its exceptional sonic performance and superior build quality. Users report that it reveals intricate details and subtle nuances in vinyl, delivering incredibly clear, dynamic sound with an expansive soundstage. The tonal balance is highly regarded, featuring articulate bass, a rich midrange, and smooth treble for natural, fatigue-free listening. The ebony construction is admired for both its aesthetic appeal and its contribution to acoustic dampening. While it requires careful setup, listeners view this high-fidelity component as a worthwhile investment that significantly elevates the overall vinyl playback experience through its exquisite craftsmanship and transformative audio capabilities.
Know before you buy
The ebony-wood body is chosen for its excellent resonance-damping properties. It helps minimize unwanted vibrations, which results in a warmer, more natural soundstage compared to standard plastic or metal cartridges.
Yes, as a high-output Moving Magnet (MM) cartridge, it is designed to be compatible with almost all standard MM phono stages. You do not need a specialized moving coil (MC) input to use it.
The Artist V2 uses a standard 1/2-inch mounting system, making it compatible with the vast majority of tonearms on the market. As long as your tonearm supports a standard headshell mount, it should install easily.
The Artist V2 offers significantly higher precision and detail retrieval. You will notice improved clarity in the high frequencies and a more textured, rich midrange that brings out subtle nuances in your vinyl records.
No special maintenance is required for the wood body. Simply keep it free of dust using a soft brush, just as you would with any other high-end cartridge, and avoid exposing it to extreme humidity or direct heat.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.