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Clearaudio · Smart Phono
$950
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 · Smart Phono
The Smart Phono V2 is a compact MM/MC phono stage with five resistive loads and three capacitance settings, so it can be tuned to the cartridge rather than the other way around.
Price is for the standard Smart 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 Smart Phono V2 is the step up from the Nano, and its strength is flexibility. Jumpers on the underside select moving-magnet or moving-coil operation and switch in the subsonic filter. Moving-coil loading is selectable at 50 Ω, 100 Ω, 500 Ω, 1 kΩ or 5 kΩ, and capacitance can be set to 150, 250 or 400 pF in either mode, which lets you match a moving coil properly or fine-tune a moving magnet that is sensitive to capacitance. A gain control sets the output level.
Gain is 34 dB for moving magnets and 54 dB for moving coils, with 18 dB of overload margin. That suits any MM and most medium- and low-output coils; very low-output cartridges are better served by the Basic V2 or Balance V2. RIAA accuracy is ±0.3 dB from 10 Hz to 100 kHz, channel separation is better than 90 dB, distortion in MC mode is under 0.004%, and the signal-to-noise ratio is 85 dB for MM and 72 dB for MC.
The case is a small, solid aluminum box powered by an external ±18 V supply. It is a good choice if you expect to change cartridges over time, because the loading will follow you. Choose black or silver, or the Headphone V2 version with a 3.5 mm output for listening at the turntable.
| Type | Solid-state MM/MC phono preamplifier, external power supply |
| Gain (1 kHz) | 34 dB (MM) / 54 dB (MC) |
| Resistive loading | MM: 47 kΩ; MC: 50 Ω, 100 Ω, 500 Ω, 1 kΩ or 5 kΩ |
| Capacitive loading | 150, 250 or 400 pF |
| RIAA accuracy | ±0.3 dB, 10 Hz – 100 kHz |
| Signal-to-noise | 85 dB(A) (MM) / 72 dB(A) (MC) |
| Distortion | <0.004% (MC) |
| Overload margin | 18 dB (MC) |
| Channel separation | >90 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; 2.7 W in operation |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) | About 3.7 × 4.9 × 1.3 in (95 × 125 × 34 mm) |
| Weight | About 1.4 lb (620 g) with power supply |
| Warranty | 3 years with registration (Clearaudio) |
Clearaudio's phono stages, from the Nano to the Balance.
Well suited to the Concept MC on a Signature.
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 Smart Phono Stage V2 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.
