Clearaudio Performer V2 Moving Magnet Cartridge

The Clearaudio Performer V2 is a moving magnet (MM) cartridge and the first model in the V2 series with a low-resonance ebony body.

That makes it the real entry point into the wood family: the same elliptical diamond on an aluminium cantilever as the Concept V2, but housed in a hand-polished ebony body with an inset damping plate instead of the aluminium housing. The result is a touch more calm and body.

Why the Performer V2?

High MM output voltage of around 3.6 mV, the classic 47 kΩ loading, forgiving alignment – it runs on any MM phono stage. Compared to the Concept V2 it steps up measurably: over 26 dB channel separation instead of around 20, and channel balance under 0.8 dB instead of 2 dB. Those two figures are exactly what you perceive as tighter imaging.

What you hear

A warm, grounded presentation with pleasant tonal richness. Voices and acoustic instruments sound natural, the bass is dry rather than woolly. Not an analytical scalpel – rather a cartridge that invites you to listen to records instead of measuring them.

Who is the Performer V2 for?

For anyone moving up from a bundled cartridge to a proper MM without investing in MC territory. Straight talk: the series steps up through selection, cantilever and stylus grind – the Artist and Virtuoso extract a bit more channel separation from the same elliptical diamond, and anyone wanting genuine fine resolution needs the boron cantilever of the Maestro or Charisma. The Performer V2 wins on warmth and composure, not on polish.

Our verdict

The sensible first "proper" Clearaudio: more substance than the Concept V2 without getting expensive. An honest recommendation for anyone who wants to fall in love with their record collection all over again – and yes, that happens more often than the calendar allows.

Technical data

• Type: Moving Magnet (MM), high output
• Output voltage: approx. 3.6 mV (1 kHz / 5 cm/s)
• Stylus grind: elliptical
• Cantilever: aluminium
• Body: ebony, hand-polished, with integrated damping plate
• Frequency response: 23 Hz – 20 kHz
• Channel separation: > 26 dB (1 kHz)
• Channel balance: < 0.8 dB (1 kHz)
• Tracking ability: 80 µm
• Recommended tracking force: 2.2 g (± 0.3 g), range 2.0–2.5 g
• Coil impedance: 0.66 kΩ (1 kHz)
• Coil inductance: 0.40 H
• Load: 47 kΩ / 100 pF
• Weight: approx. 8.4 g
• Mounting: ½ inch standard
• Stylus replacement: factory only, cartridge must be sent in

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference to the Concept V2?

The Performer V2 sits in a hand-polished ebony body instead of the Concept V2's aluminium, and is more tightly selected: over 26 dB channel separation and under 0.8 dB channel balance versus around 20 dB and 2 dB. The stylus and cantilever are identical on both – elliptical diamond on aluminium.

Can I replace the Performer V2's stylus myself?

No. On Clearaudio's V2 cartridges the stylus isn't customer-replaceable. The cartridge is sent in, the stylus assembly is renewed at the factory, and the cartridge is sent back. After that the cartridge needs to be realigned in the tonearm – we'll take care of that properly for you.

Which phono stage does the Performer V2 work with?

Any MM phono stage with 47 kΩ input impedance. Thanks to its roughly 3.6 mV output voltage, it needs neither an MC stage nor a step-up transformer. Practically any integrated amp with a phono input, and any separate phono box, will work.

What stylus shape does the Performer V2 have?

An elliptical diamond on an aluminium cantilever. The elliptical grind traces the groove more finely than a spherical one while staying straightforward to align – a good compromise between sound and everyday practicality.

Why buy the Performer V2 at HD Zürisee?

Because there's someone on the phone who listens to records themselves and knows which cartridge suits your arm. We'll mount and align it properly on request, and we're an authorised Clearaudio dealer with correct warranty handling.

Goes well with

Find the right foundation and electronics among our turntables and phono preamps. Cleaning products, scales and alignment aids are in turntable accessories, more cartridges under cartridges.