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Clearaudio · Balance
$4,800
Not currently in our rooms. For a serious buyer we will often bring a piece in from the manufacturer for a private session — tell us about your system and what you are weighing it against, and we will advise.
Clearaudio · Balance
The Balance V2 is a two-box, fully balanced MM/MC phono stage with XLR and RCA in and out, a volume control and a headphone amplifier, so it can run a vinyl-only system by itself.
Two chassis: preamplifier and separate power supply. Silver as standard; black anodized to order.
Authorized Clearaudio dealer · Delivery and installation by Pearl Audio · Trade-ins welcome
The story
The Balance V2 replaced the Balance Plus. Its circuit is fully balanced with independent left and right channels, and RIAA equalization uses two passive filters accurate to ±0.1 dB. The audio circuit lives in a housing precision-milled from solid aluminum, and the power supply has its own grounded aluminum case, which keeps mains noise away from the signal. Cartridge signals come in over RCA or balanced XLR; outputs are RCA and XLR in parallel, with a 6.3 mm headphone jack and a volume knob on the front.
Gain is 46 dB for moving magnets and 66 dB for moving coils, with 23 dB of overload margin, which covers most cartridges including low-output coils. Loading is fixed at 47 kΩ for MM and 500 Ω for MC, both at 270 pF; if yours wants a much lower load, ask us first. Distortion is under 0.001%, channel separation better than 92 dB, and the output swings more than 12 V. A button switches the volume control between manual and automatic, which passes the signal at full level.
The variable output means a turntable-only listener can run the Balance V2 straight into a power amplifier or active loudspeakers, and the headphone output makes it a complete late-night vinyl rig. If your tonearm is wired for balanced output, the XLR input lets the whole chain stay balanced. Clearaudio describes it as studio-grade, and it is the top of the range below the Balance Reference and Absolute Phono.
| Type | Fully balanced solid-state MM/MC phono preamplifier, separate power supply |
| Gain (1 kHz) | 46 dB (MM) / 66 dB (MC) |
| Loading | MM: 47 kΩ / 270 pF; MC: 500 Ω / 270 pF |
| RIAA accuracy | ±0.1 dB; 75 / 318 / 3180 µs, two passive filters |
| Signal-to-noise | 78 dB (MM) / 79 dB (MC) |
| Distortion | <0.001% (IEC A) |
| Overload margin | 23 dB |
| Channel separation | >92 dB at 1 kHz |
| Inputs | Unbalanced RCA (gold-plated) and balanced XLR |
| Outputs | RCA (75 Ω) and XLR (150 Ω) in parallel; 6.3 mm headphone |
| Output level | >12 V at 1 kHz; manual or automatic volume |
| Subsonic filter | 20 Hz, −6 dB/oct, switchable |
| Power supply | Separate aluminum chassis, +21 V DC to the preamp; 6.6 W maximum |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) | Each chassis about 9.4 × 5.7 × 2.4 in (240 × 145 × 62 mm) |
| Weight | Preamplifier about 5.1 lb (2.3 kg); power supply about 3.1 lb (1.4 kg) |
| Warranty | 3 years with registration (Clearaudio) |
Clearaudio's phono stages, from the Nano to the Balance.
Clearaudio also makes the two-chassis Balance Reference Phono and the current-input Absolute Phono; ask us about ordering them.
Plan your Clearaudio system with Pearl Audio
Pearl Audio is an authorized Clearaudio dealer. We can match gain and loading to your cartridge, set it up in your system, and arrange an audition in our Portland showroom. Call (503) 222-2599 or email sales@pearlaudio.com.
The Pearl Audio experience
A system at this level should be heard, thoughtfully matched, and properly set up. From the first audition to long-term ownership, you work with the same people, in person.
The Balance V2 Phono Stage is not in our rooms at present. When it is the right piece for a client we arrange a demonstration unit from the manufacturer and set it up for a private session.
We deliver and install throughout the Portland area, taking care of placement, connections, ventilation and system configuration ourselves.
We support everything we sell for as long as you own it, whether the answer comes by phone, in your home, or through factory service.
Trade-in assistance and qualifying 100% Trade-Up options give you flexibility when your listening priorities or your system change.
