Charisma Audio Signature Two Moving Coil Cartridge
The Signature Two brings lithe transient speed to the warmth and body prized in a fine moving-coil design. Jason Thorpe found potent, tightly defined bass, richly textured mids and exceptionally precise three-dimensional imaging, while its open, refined treble keeps energetic records involving rather than abrasive. A compelling high-end cartridge for vivid, immersive vinyl playback.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
94/100
Build Quality
91/100
Features Usability
91/100
Value for Money
85/100
Pros
Combines richly textured midrange tone with fast, clean transient attack and highly engaging musical flow.
Delivers potent, appreciably tighter and more defined bass when set to the recommended tracking force.
Produces standout image specificity, vivid lateral effects and a deeply dimensional soundstage.
Open, extended highs remain smooth and free of grit on aggressively recorded material.
Cons
Best performance depends on careful break-in and adherence to the specified 1.8g tracking force.
Treble is described as very slightly soft, which may not suit listeners seeking maximum top-end incisiveness.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 94/100
Reviewers describe a notably quick, responsive and musically involving cartridge that combines tonal richness with clean transient attack. Its strongest reported traits are tightly defined bass, open treble, exceptionally specific imaging and a vivid sense of instrumental texture.
Overall Sound
94/100
Jason Thorpe found a fine balance between midrange richness and quick attack, calling the presentation lithe, sinuous and musically brilliant. Bass is described as potent yet appreciably tighter when optimally set up, while the highs are open, extended and free of grit, albeit very slightly soft in character.
Tracking Retrieval
93/100
The Signature Two is repeatedly described as quick and responsive, with transients that make percussion unusually easy to follow. Its line-contact stylus retrieves granular instrumental texture and crisp drum detail, while the reviewer also reports tighter, more defined bass after careful tracking-force adjustment.
Soundstage Imaging
96/100
Imaging is a standout: the review calls it superb and describes phase effects extending vividly left and right. Images are portrayed with unusually precise placement, including a guitar positioned above tweeter height and in front of the speakers.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 91/100
Tonearm compatibility / system fit.
Tonearm Compatibility
91/100
Its claimed 10µm/mN compliance is said to suit most modern medium-mass tonearms. Threaded mounting holes, reasonable sight lines and an easy-fit stylus guard should simplify installation, though the reviewer found that careful break-in and tracking-force adjustment were important to realizing its best performance.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
91/100
The Signature Two is presented as an ambitious, well-appointed moving-coil design, with a yellow rosewood body, ceramic cantilever and microfine line-contact stylus. Practical touches include threaded mounting holes and a removable stylus guard; the reviews say little about long-term durability.
Value for Money
85/100
At $5490, the Signature Two is positioned near the top of Charisma Audio's range. The review does not directly judge its performance against competing cartridges at this price, but it notes a $1500 retip as very reasonable and a $3000 full-rebuild option for longer-term ownership.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
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Manufacturer's Description — Charisma Audio
- Cartridge Weight: 8 g
- Cartridge body: yellow rosewood
- Cantilever: white ceramic
- Stylus: micro fine line contact diamond
- Vertical Tracking Angle: 20 degrees
- Coil: pure iron square coil with custom made alloy wiring
- Output Voltage: 0.25 mV at 3.54 cm/sec.
- Internal Impedance: 4 ohms
- Frequency Response: 20 – 20,000 Hz ± 1 dB
- Channel Balance: better than 0.5 dB
- Channel Separation: better than 30 dB
- Dynamic Compliance: 10 um/mN
- Recommended Loading: 100 – 500 ohms
- Recommended Tracking Force: 1.8 g ± 0.1 g
- Tracking Ability at 315 Hz / 2 g: 70 uM
- Recommended Tonearm Mass: medium
- Break-in Period: 50 hours
Verified Dealers
Online Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Charisma Audio Signature Two Moving Coil Cartridge
- Absolute Hi End — in-store — Ormond, Victoria, Australia (website)
- Afton Mountain Audio — in-store — Afton, Virginia, United States (website)
- Audio Vision San Francisco — online and in-store — San Francisco, California, United States (website)
- Bob's Devices — online and in-store — Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States (website)
- Charisma Audio — in-store — Markham, Ontario, Canada (website)
- corbysaudio.com — in-store — Hamilton, Ontario (website)
- David Lewis Audio — in-store — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States (website)
- Executive Stereo — online and in-store — Toronto, Ontario, Canada (website)
- Loud & Clear — in-store — Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom (website)
- soundstage ultra — in-store — El Cajon, California, United States (website)
and 2 more verified dealers
