Clearaudio Artist v2 Ebony MM Phono Cartridge

Clearaudio Artist v2 Ebony MM Phono Cartridge

What You Need to Know

A Sharper Focus on the Music

The Clearaudio Artist v2 Ebony MM Phono Cartridge takes the hand-polished ebony formula of the Performer v2 and fits it with a noticeably higher-graded generator. Handmade in Erlangen, Germany, the Artist v2 delivers stronger output, wider channel separation, and roughly half the channel imbalance of its little brother.

The result: a more focused stereo image, cleaner separation between instruments, and more of the music’s fine detail.

Precision-Graded Generator, One Step Up

Clearaudio measures and grades every generator it builds. The Artist v2’s generator earns a higher grade than the Performer’s—3.6mV of output, 24dB of channel separation, and channel balance within 0.8dB. Those numbers translate directly into a wider, better-organized soundstage.

Hand-Polished Ebony Wood Body

Ebony is one of the densest tonewoods on earth, chosen by Clearaudio for its natural resistance to resonance. Music emerges from a quieter, more composed background than any plastic-bodied cartridge can manage.

Double-Polished Elliptical Stylus

An elliptical diamond, double-polished for low noise and accurate groove contact, rides on a rigid aluminum cantilever. Its low-inductance coils are unusually insensitive to cable capacitance, so the Artist v2 sounds right in almost any setup.

Handmade in Germany

Every Artist v2 is assembled and tested by hand at Clearaudio’s factory in Erlangen, Germany, and backed by a two-year warranty with registration.

Building Your System

The Artist v2 works with any standard MM phono input and suits a wide range of turntables and tonearms. It’s a natural match for quality entry and mid-level tables that deserve better than a stock cartridge.

When the stylus eventually wears, Clearaudio’s generous trade-in program lets you exchange your cartridge toward a new one at substantial savings.

Features & Specifications

Higher-Graded MM Generator
More output, wider separation, and tighter balance than the Performer v2.

Hand-Polished Ebony Wood Body
Dense tonewood naturally damps resonance for a cleaner presentation.

Double-Polished Elliptical Diamond Stylus
Accurate groove contact with secure, forgiving tracking.

Low-Inductance Coil Design
Insensitive to cable capacitance—sounds right in almost any system.

Handmade in Erlangen, Germany
Hand-assembled, tested, and backed by a two-year warranty.

Standard ½-Inch Mount
Threaded body holes and mounting hardware included.

Specifications

•          Type: Moving Magnet (MM)

•          Stylus: Double-Polished Elliptical Diamond

•          Cantilever: Aluminum

•          Body: Hand-Polished Ebony Wood

•          Output: 3.6mV

•          Load Impedance: 47k ohms / 100pF

•          Mounting: Standard ½-inch (threaded)

•          Tracking Force: 2.2 grams (±0.3 grams)

•          Weight: 8.4 grams

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special phono preamp?
No. The Artist v2 works with any standard moving magnet (MM) phono input.

How does the Artist v2 compare to the Performer v2?
Same ebony body and stylus—the difference is a higher-graded generator with stronger output, +4dB channel separation, and roughly half the channel imbalance for a noticeably more focused image.

How does it compare to the Virtuoso v2?
The Virtuoso v2 receives Clearaudio’s highest generator grade among the elliptical models, with even better separation and channel balance.

Who is the Artist v2 designed for?
It’s ideal for listeners who want a clear step up in imaging and detail while staying comfortably under $1,000.

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