Clearaudio Maestro v2 Ebony Phono Cartridge

Clearaudio Maestro v2 Ebony Phono Cartridge

What You Need to Know

Moving Coil Ingredients, Moving Magnet Convenience

The Clearaudio Maestro v2 Ebony Phono Cartridge has been one of the world’s most acclaimed moving magnet cartridges for over a decade—and it’s easy to hear why. Handmade in Erlangen, Germany, the Maestro v2 mounts a Shibata line-contact diamond on a boron cantilever: components normally reserved for top moving coil designs.

The Absolute Sound named the Maestro its Cartridge of the Year. It remains Clearaudio’s best-selling MM.

Boron Cantilever with Shibata Stylus

Boron is dramatically stiffer and lighter than aluminum, and the Shibata profile contacts far more of the groove wall than an elliptical. Together they retrieve detail, air, and inner-groove information that ordinary MM cartridges leave behind—with lower distortion and less record wear.

Precision-Graded Generator

Clearaudio measures and grades every generator it builds. The Maestro v2’s earns near-flagship marks: 3.6mV output with channel balance within an exceptional 0.3dB, producing a locked-in center image and a wide, stable soundstage.

Hand-Polished Ebony Wood Body

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

Handmade in Germany

Every Maestro 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 Maestro v2 works with any standard MM phono input, and rewards careful setup on a quality turntable—its Shibata stylus benefits from accurate VTA alignment.

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

Shibata Line-Contact Diamond Stylus
Extended groove contact retrieves detail ordinary MMs leave behind.

Boron Cantilever
Dramatically stiffer and lighter than aluminum for instant response.

Precision-Graded MM Generator
0.3dB channel balance for a locked-in, stable stereo image.

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

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: Shibata Line-Contact Diamond

•          Cantilever: Boron

•          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 Maestro v2 works with any standard moving magnet (MM) phono input.

How does the Maestro v2 compare to the Virtuoso v2?
The Maestro jumps from aluminum/elliptical to a boron cantilever and Shibata line-contact stylus—the parts found on top moving coil cartridges—for clearly greater resolution and refinement.

How does it compare to the Charisma v2.1?
The flagship Charisma v2.1 steps up to a diamond-coated boron cantilever and Clearaudio’s Prime Line stylus—the same assembly used on the $21,000 Goldfinger Statement—plus an even higher-graded generator.

Who is the Maestro v2 designed for?
It’s ideal for serious listeners who want true high-end resolution from a moving magnet—no MC phono stage required.

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