Clearaudio
Clearaudio Virtuoso V2 Ebony Phono Cartridge
Best moving magnet upgrade for discerning vinyl enthusiasts seeking refined detail.
Experience superior audiophile sound with the Clearaudio Virtuoso V2 Ebony Phono Cartridge. Built on decades of moving coil expertise, this Moving Magnet (MM) V2 model boasts a low-resonance, hand-polished ebony housing. Its design prioritizes minimizing moving mass, an optimized HD diamond stylus, and effective damping for exceptional detail retrieval. Each cartridge is meticulously measured and selected to ensure outstanding channel matching and dynamic range, delivering a vividly textured sonic presentation with controlled bass and smooth treble.
$1080.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
173
/ 1637
#173 in Turntable Accessories
Price vs Category Average
-14%
Below average
Technology
2
/ MM V
Who it's for
- Audiophiles seeking high-resolution sound and precise musical imaging
- Listeners prioritizing a clean, vibration-free soundstage
- Vinyl enthusiasts using standard moving magnet phono stages
Who should skip it
- Budget-conscious buyers comparing value against moving coil alternatives
- Owners wanting simple, low-cost maintenance and quick stylus swaps
- Novice users intimidated by complex cartridge alignment and setup
Performance breakdown
Resonance Control
The hand-polished ebony housing effectively eliminates unwanted vibrations for cleaner playback.
Detail Retrieval
Extracts subtle textures and nuances hidden deep within the record grooves.
Channel Matching
Meticulous selection ensures a perfectly balanced and stable stereo soundstage.
Tracking Agility
Minimized moving mass allows the stylus to navigate complex passages with ease.
Dynamic Range
Delivers impressive contrast between quiet whispers and powerful musical crescendos.
Installation Ease
Standard half-inch mounting makes setup straightforward for most modern tonearms.
Key Specs
Technology
MM V2
Housing Material
Hand-polished ebony (low resonance)
Stylus
Optimized HD diamond cutting technique
Cartridge Type
Moving Magnet (MM)
Functionality
Extracts fine details from record grooves
Accessory Type
Cartridge
Brand
Clearaudio
Model Number
V2
Features
- Low-resonance ebony housing construction
- Highly effective damping system
- Minimized moving mass for agility
- Optimized HD diamond stylus cutting
- Meticulously hand-selected for quality
- Superior channel matching achieved
- Vividly textured sonic presentation
- Exceptional dynamic range
What customers say
Audiophiles consistently praise the Clearaudio Virtuoso V2 Ebony for its exceptional sonic performance and musicality. Listeners highlight its ability to reveal intricate details, delivering a remarkably clear and expansive soundstage. The cartridge offers a balanced tonality, featuring rich bass and smooth, extended highs without harshness. Its Ebony body is noted for enhancing sonic purity by damping unwanted vibrations. While a premium component, users feel the refinement and engaging listening experience fully justify the investment. The build quality reflects Clearaudio's precision engineering, making this a highly recommended upgrade for serious analog playback enthusiasts seeking elevated performance.
Know before you buy
This is a Moving Magnet (MM) cartridge, so it is designed to work with any standard MM phono stage or integrated amplifier with a built-in MM phono input.
The hand-polished ebony wood is chosen for its low-resonance properties, which helps minimize unwanted vibrations. This results in a cleaner, more natural sound with less coloration compared to plastic or metal housings.
The Virtuoso V2 features a standard 1/2-inch mounting design, making it compatible with the vast majority of modern tonearms. It is a versatile choice for most high-quality turntable setups.
The optimized HD diamond cutting technique is engineered to track the record groove with greater precision. This allows the cartridge to extract more fine detail and texture from your vinyl while maintaining smooth high-frequency performance.
Hand-selecting each unit ensures that every cartridge meets strict tolerances for channel matching and dynamic range. This rigorous quality control guarantees that you receive a consistent, high-performance product that delivers a balanced stereo image.
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