Clearaudio Maestro v2 Ebony MM Cartridge

Description

MY TAKE:

Clearaudio moving magnet cartridges strike a pleasing balance between the warmer tonality of a moving magnet design and the faster more resolving qualities associated with moving coil cartridges, and is one of the reasons they have become customer favorites here. Greater refinement and resolution are noted as you move up with the line. Strongly recommended. – Galen Carol

For over 25 years Clearaudio has been manufacturing exceptional analog products. Located in Bavaria, home to BMW, the company’s German heritage is apparent their precision construction and attention to detail. All Clearaudio components are designed for sound quality, functionality, reliability and longevity.

The result of many years of research and development, their manufacturing technology is the basis of their quality components. The Company’s innovation and pioneering technologies have solidified their international reputation and garnered them numerous patents.

Clearaudio Moving Magnet Phono Cartridges are precision products that are held to the most stringent quality control standards. The patented assembly process is based on the newest technical advances. Materials are hand selected and held to the tightest tolerances.

With the V2 series of MM cartridges, Clearaudio set new standards in the technical parameters of impedance, inductance, load capacitance and sensitivity. Ongoing research and development have enabled Clearaudio to attain near perfect balance of the stereo channels, reduce distortion to vanishing levels and increase output level with a flat frequency response to provide a vivid and enthralling musical performance.
 

All of the MM V2 cartridges deliver the following enhancements over earlier models:
 

• A resonance-optimized ebony housing for less coloration and more natural sound
• More powerful magnets producing greater dynamic range
• Higher output voltage for lower noise levels
• The Concept V2, Performer V2, Artist V2 and Virtuoso V2 all feature aluminum cantilevers and double polished elliptical styli, while the Maestro V2 has a has a boron cantilever and micro HD stylus
• The Virtuoso V2 and Maestro V2 include matched magnet and coil assemblies.

REVIEWS:

HI-FI Plus: "The Maestro added an immediacy to the music that I found contagious, and most effectively nuanced with slightly negative VTA adjustment. By comparison to my reference 501 Mk III which is a tremendously detailed and lushly smooth sounding cartridge in its own right I noted a small step down when listening to the Maestro in the precision detail department. The 501 Mk III can certainly hold its own in more than a few areas sonically and feels very similar to the Maestro in the strengths of mid range presentation. While treading upon similar ground in the mid range I found that I yearned for the the slam and heft of Maestro’s fast attack. I needed the controlled power the Maestro was able to deliver to Rock and Funk music I love so dearly that I just couldn’t find with the 501 Mk III. While the Maestro excels with driving, pumping music like MM cartridges are reputed to do, I found that the real strength of the Maestro cartridge is the ability to control its power and still achieve a neutral canvas for the other aspects of my music regardless of genre. The product has an uncanny ability to sense the desired feel and interject a level of intelligence into your LP playback. The Maestro is one of those special cartridges that is smart enough to do it all and makes you want to go buy more LPs instead of more equipment. Very highly recommended! " - Buzz Hughes

The Absolute Sound: Phono Cartridge of the Year 2013

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
• Output voltage (1kHz, 5cm/s): ∼ 3.6 mV
• Channel separation (1kHz): > 32 dB
• Channel balance (1kHz): < 0.2 dB
• Tracking ability: 90 µm
• Tracking Force (recommended 2.0 - 2.5 g): 2.2 gram
• Coil impedance (1kHz): 66 kΩ
• Coil inductance: 0.42 H
• Load resistance: 47 kΩ
• Load capacitance: 100 pF
• Cantilever: Boron / HD Diamond
• Weight: 7.0 gram
• Manufacturer's guarantee: 2 years