Clearaudio Charisma V2 Replacement Stylus

The Clearaudio Charisma V2 Replacement Stylus is the original stylus replacement for the Clearaudio Charisma V2 moving magnet cartridge.

The Charisma V2 is Clearaudio's MM flagship – an ebony body with precious-metal inlay, 30 dB channel separation, 90 µm tracking ability and a diamond-tipped boron cantilever, the same one otherwise found on the Goldfinger Statement. Of all that, exactly one part wears out: the diamond. It gets renewed; everything else stays.

Why the original stylus replacement?

A diamond-tipped boron cantilever isn't an off-the-shelf spare part, but the actual engineering achievement of this cartridge. It's rigid, extremely light and precisely matched to the generator – only that way do you get the high 30 dB channel separation. Clearaudio fits this unit anew at the factory and then fully checks the system. Anything else would be reckless with this level of effort.

What you get

Your Charisma V2 back, with a fresh stylus unit and back at delivery values: around 3.6 mV output voltage, full 90 µm tracking ability, 30 dB channel separation. The ebony body with silver inlay, the powerful magnets and the hand-selected generator stay yours – they were the reason you bought it in the first place.

Who is the Charisma V2 Replacement Stylus for?

For owners of a Charisma V2 who want to keep their system, not replace it. Plain talk: the swap is in the range of a very good cartridge – if you've already been eyeing an MC, this is the point to do the honest math instead of swapping on reflex. And if you run a different Clearaudio system, you need a different part number; the MM013/E fits only the Charisma V2.

Our verdict

If the Charisma V2 gives you the high output level of an MM with the fine detail you'd otherwise look for further up the range, then the stylus swap is the logical continuation. Before you decide, let's talk at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil about condition, setup and alternatives – at this level of expense, that's not a formality but the actual advisory part.

Technical data

• Fits: Clearaudio Charisma V2 (Moving Magnet)
• Type: stylus replacement on the returned cartridge
• Part number: MM013/E
• Cantilever: boron, diamond-tipped (as in the Goldfinger Statement)
• Cartridge housing: ebony with silver inlay
• Cartridge weight: 9.0 g
• Output voltage: approx. 3.6 mV (5 cm/s)
• Channel separation: 30 dB (1 kHz)
• Tracking ability: 90 µm
• Recommended tracking force: 2.4 g ± 0.3 g
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
• Included: stylus replacement on the returned Charisma V2; you get your system back with a new stylus

Frequently asked questions

How does the stylus replacement work on the Charisma V2?

The cartridge is sent in, Clearaudio fits a new stylus unit and fully checks the system, then it comes back. A swap at home isn't possible on the Charisma V2. We handle registration, shipping and return.

Is the Charisma V2 an MM or an MC system?

A moving magnet system, and Clearaudio's largest one at that. That's exactly why the stylus unit can be renewed at all. On a moving coil system, the coils sit on the cantilever, and there's no stylus swap, only retipping or an exchange system at the manufacturer.

Does the Charisma V2 need a special phono input?

No, it runs on any MM input. With around 3.6 mV it even delivers more level than many MM systems, which also satisfies less sensitive phono stages. More important than level is a clean, low-noise circuit – we're happy to advise you on that.

Why buy the Charisma V2 Replacement Stylus from HD Zürisee?

Because with a cartridge of this class, the advice comes before the order: we check the diamond under magnification, check the tonearm and phono stage, and handle the factory swap officially. Afterward Mauri fits the system back in properly adjusted. Contact: +41 44 680 22 00, WhatsApp 076 534 22 00 (text only, no calls), shop@hdzuerisee.ch.

Goes well with

A flagship MM deserves a fitting environment: MM-capable phono stages are under phono preamps, cleaning and care under Everything Vinyl and precise setup aids under turntable accessories.