Swipe or use the previous and next buttons to browse. Select an image to open a magnified view.
Clearaudio · Nano Phono
$620
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 · Nano Phono
The Nano Phono V2 fits a hand-assembled MM/MC phono stage into an aluminum case a little over three inches wide, with switchable gain, loading and a subsonic filter.
Price is for the standard Nano Phono V2. The Headphone V2 version with a 3.5 mm jack is available at a higher price.
Authorized Clearaudio dealer · Delivery and installation by Pearl Audio · Trade-ins welcome
The story
The Nano Phono V2 is Clearaudio's smallest phono stage. Its surface-mount components are selected, hand-assembled in Erlangen, Germany, and tested several times. Switches on the underside select moving-magnet or moving-coil operation, set the input load for a moving coil, and bring in the subsonic filter. The housing is aluminum in silver or black, and power comes from an external ±18 V plug-in supply, so the mains transformer stays well away from the signal.
Gain is 34 dB for moving magnets and 54 dB for moving coils, with 18 dB of overload margin in MC mode. That is plenty for any MM cartridge and for high- and medium-output moving coils. For low-output coils, the 66 dB of the Basic V2 or Balance V2 is a better fit. RIAA accuracy is ±0.4 dB from 20 Hz to 50 kHz, channel separation is better than 80 dB, and the output impedance of 75 Ω drives any line input.
Its job is to replace the phono input built into an integrated amplifier, or the entry-level phono box in a first system, and it is small enough to tuck behind the turntable. Hi-Fi News found that the original Nano Phono opened up once its gain was set correctly. The Smart Phono V2 adds selectable loading; the Nano is the simplest route to a proper external phono stage.
| Type | Solid-state MM/MC phono preamplifier, external power supply |
| Gain (1 kHz) | 34 dB (MM) / 54 dB (MC) |
| Input impedance | MM: 47 kΩ / 220 pF; MC: selectable load |
| RIAA accuracy | ±0.4 dB, 20 Hz – 50 kHz |
| Signal-to-noise | 81 dB(A) (MM) / 70 dB(A) (MC) |
| Distortion | <0.04% |
| Overload margin | 18 dB (MC) |
| Channel separation | >80 dB at 1 kHz |
| Output | Up to 10 V RMS, 75 Ω |
| Subsonic filter | Switchable |
| Inputs / outputs | Unbalanced RCA / unbalanced RCA (Headphone V2 adds 3.5 mm jack) |
| Power supply | External ±18 V DC / 300 mA; 2.3 W in operation |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) | About 3.3 × 4.2 × 1.0 in (85 × 106 × 25 mm) |
| Weight | About 1.1 lb (500 g) with power supply |
| Warranty | 3 years with registration (Clearaudio) |
Clearaudio's phono stages, from the Nano to the Balance.
A natural partner for the Compass and Concept MM V2.
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 Nano 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.
