Clearaudio Artist V2 Moving Magnet Cartridge

The Clearaudio Artist V2 is an upper-mid-range moving magnet (MM) cartridge in a hand-polished ebony body, with an elliptical diamond on an aluminium cantilever.

In the V2 MM line, the Artist sits above the Concept and Performer and below the Virtuoso, Maestro and Charisma. It shares its cantilever and stylus profile with the smaller models – the difference here is the tighter selection and pairing of components.

Why the Artist V2?

Clearaudio measures, analyses and selects its V2 cartridges by hand. For the Artist V2 that means over 28 dB channel separation and channel balance under 0.6 dB – each one step tighter than the Performer V2. On top of that comes around 3.8 mV output voltage, which delivers plenty of level into any MM phono stage with a 47 kΩ load.

What you'll hear

A mature, finely resolved presentation with natural warmth. The Artist V2 layers the soundstage neatly, keeps the treble silky and gives voices substance. The more precise imaging compared to the smaller models is most noticeable with densely arranged music.

Who is the Artist V2 for?

For vinyl listeners who want to move into the upper MM world without an MC phono stage. Plain talk: if you're after the best in the elliptical class, the Virtuoso V2 with 4.0 mV, 90 µm tracking ability and 30 dB channel separation is the more consistent choice. And if you really want finer resolution, there's no way around a boron cantilever – that only starts with the Maestro and Charisma. The Artist V2 is the balanced middle ground, and that's rarely the worst place to be.

Our verdict

The Artist V2 is the point where the V2 MM line grows up: same stylus as below, noticeably cleaner measurements, the same lack of fuss. Which level suits your arm and phono stage is something we're happy to work out with you at HD Zürisee on Lake Zurich.

Specifications

• Type: moving magnet (MM), high output
• Output voltage: approx. 3.8 mV (1 kHz / 5 cm/s)
• Stylus profile: elliptical
• Cantilever: aluminium
• Body: ebony, hand-polished
• Frequency response: 24 Hz – 20 kHz
• Channel separation: > 28 dB (1 kHz)
• Channel balance: < 0.6 dB (1 kHz)
• Tracking ability: 80 µm
• Recommended tracking force: 2.2 g, range 2.0–2.5 g
• Coil impedance: 0.67 kΩ (1 kHz)
• Coil inductance: 0.40 H
• Load: 47 kΩ / 100 pF
• Weight: approx. 8.4 g
• Mount: ½ inch standard
• Stylus replacement: factory only, cartridge must be sent in

FAQ

Where does the Artist V2 sit in the Clearaudio MM line?

Above the Concept and Performer, below the Virtuoso, Maestro and Charisma. It uses the range's low-resonance ebony body with an elliptical diamond on an aluminium cantilever. The step up from the Performer V2 lies in the tighter selection: more channel separation, smaller channel deviation.

Can I replace the stylus on the Artist V2 myself?

No. The stylus on Clearaudio's V2 cartridges can't be swapped by the customer. The cartridge is sent in, fitted with a new stylus assembly at the factory, and sent back. A re-alignment in the tonearm is then essential – we're happy to take care of that part for you.

Is the Artist V2 an MM or an MC?

A moving magnet cartridge with around 3.8 mV output voltage. It runs on any MM phono stage with a 47 kΩ load and needs neither an MC input nor a step-up transformer – that's the convenience advantage over moving coil cartridges.

Do I need a special tonearm for the Artist V2?

No. At around 8.4 g and with medium stylus compliance, the Artist V2 suits the vast majority of tonearms with medium effective mass. Tell us your turntable and arm and we'll check the combination in advance.

Why buy the Artist V2 from HD Zürisee?

Because we don't just sell cartridges – we mount, align and tune them to your system. We'll tell you honestly when the step up to the next level is worth the extra cost and when it isn't – and as an authorised Clearaudio dealer, the warranty is handled properly.

Goes well with

You'll find the right electronics and foundation among our phono preamps and tonearms. Care and alignment tools are under turntable accessories, and more cartridges to compare are under cartridges.