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Clearaudio Charisma V2
The concept V2 to Maestro V2 series has regularly convinced trade press and music fans of the high quality standard of clearaudio MM cartridges. The Charisma V2 now takes the lead among these "moving magnets".
Technology from the Goldfinger Statement
Only the best from clearaudio was considered for this: The diamond-doped boron cantilever is the same as in the Goldfinger Statement. The double-polished diamond is mounted on the cantilever with the highest precision.
High Output Voltage
Particularly strong magnets give the dynamic Charisma V2 an almost record-breaking high output voltage of around 3.6 mV. This allows it to effortlessly drive even less sensitive MM phono preamplifiers.
Ebony with Nickel Silver Inlay
Excellent frequency responses and high channel separation are the basis for its performance. In addition to the handcrafted ebony housing, a clearaudio nickel silver inlay smooths unwanted resonances.
The result is a sound experience that seemed hardly possible with MM cartridges until now – simply charismatic.
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Professional Reviews 94/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
95/100
Build Quality
94/100
Features Usability
91/100
Value for Money
93/100
The Clearaudio Charisma V2 brings moving-coil-like resolution to a 3.6mV moving-magnet design, pairing vivid tonal color with stable imaging, airy treble and explosive musical energy. The Absolute Sound highlights its natural midrange bloom and exceptional tracking, while Fidelity Magazine praises its precise, expansive presentation. Its boron cantilever and ebony body make this a seriously refined analogue performer.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Delivers highly resolved, natural sound with rich tonal color, open midrange, airy treble and strong dynamics.
Tracks exceptionally well and produces a stable soundstage with precise imaging.
Its healthy 3.6mV output works with conventional MM phono stages, avoiding the extra gain hardware often needed by low-output MC cartridges.
&
Cons
Bass is taut and controlled rather than especially weighty, so listeners seeking maximum low-end heft may prefer a fuller-bodied alternative.
Stylus-and-cantilever replacement requires factory return and carries a substantial cost.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 95/100
Reviews portray the Charisma V2 as an unusually musically engaging moving-magnet design, combining tonal richness and naturalness with high resolution, strong dynamics, and an expansive, stable presentation. Its sound is repeatedly compared favorably with moving-coil alternatives, while one reviewer notes that it is not intended as the absolute MM reference.
Overall Sound
95/100
The Absolute Sound praises its raw musicality, naturalistic presentation, tonal color, dynamic electricity, midrange bloom, and sweet upper register. Fidelity calls it precise, highly resolving, explosive, and among the best pickups available below €3,000; 6 Moons similarly finds open, natural mids, clean airy highs, and taut bass, though not especially weighty.
Tracking Retrieval
95/100
Tracking is described as “unshakably excellent” by The Absolute Sound and “impeccable” by 6 Moons. Reviewers also hear very fine upper-octave gradations, light, air, and high resolution, supporting the impression that the Prime Line/Gyger S stylus extracts substantial groove information cleanly.
Soundstage Imaging
93/100
The Absolute Sound highlights image stability alongside the cartridge’s tonal bloom and detail. Fidelity hears broad sound distribution, while 6 Moons reports a very stable stage with precise imaging; the supplied reviews are less specific about stage depth and layering.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 91/100
Tonearm compatibility / system fit.
Tonearm Compatibility
91/100
Its 3.6mV moving-magnet output and 47kΩ loading make it straightforward to use with a conventional MM phono stage, avoiding the step-up equipment often associated with low-output MC cartridges. The 9g body mass and moderate 17µm/mN compliance should suit many standard tonearms, although careful alignment and its relatively firm recommended tracking force remain important.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
94/100
The Charisma V2 uses a hand-polished ebony body with German-silver or nickel-silver inlay, plus a boron cantilever and double-polished Gyger S diamond stylus shared with Clearaudio’s Goldfinger Statement. Fidelity also describes the stylus as precision-mounted and pressed into the boron tube rather than conventionally glued, indicating careful execution.
Value for Money
93/100
At roughly €1,500–€1,640 in the cited reviews, Fidelity calls the Charisma the best analog pickup available up to €3,000. The Absolute Sound also notes that its healthy MM-level output can avoid the additional cost of a step-up device or specialized MC-capable phono stage, strengthening its system-level value despite a premium cartridge price.
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Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Clearaudio Charisma V2
- In Living Stereo — in-store — New York City, New York, United States (website)
- The Music Room — online and in-store — Erie, Colorado, United States (website)
- 3mA Audio — online and in-store — Houston, Texas, United States (website)
- A/V Solutions — in-store — Pleasanton, California, United States (website)
- Acoustic Sounds — online and in-store — Salina, Kansas, United States (website)
- Acton Gate Audio — online and in-store — Cymru, United Kingdom (website)
- AES — in-store — Mitte, Hessen, Germany (website)
- Ahead Stereo — in-store — Los Angeles, California, United States (website)
- Alpha High End — online and in-store — Brasschaat, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium (website)
- Analogue Seduction — online and in-store — Whittlesey, England, United Kingdom (website)
and 181 more verified dealers