Clearaudio Smart Phonostage V2

"Powerful and Yet Utterly Composed"

Clearaudio does it again – this time with a new, upgraded version of the Smart Phono phono preamp. The Smart Phono V2's beautiful, minimalist aluminium housing contains one of the best sounding phonostages in its price range. It provides up to 54 decibels gain at one kilohertz and an extremely linear frequency response. For superb performance from both MM and MC cartridges, Smart Phono V2 has two separate sets of circuitry using SMD technology. A slide switch on the underside selects MM or MC use.

A Wealth of Exceptional Features

The Smart Phono v2 features a newly designed, CNC-machined, resonance-free aluminum chassis. It is a larger, higher performance version of the popular Clearaudio Nano phono stage. The beautifully crafted chassis hides a wealth of exceptional features such as the latest advanced surface mount-device technology, compatibility with both moving magnet and moving coil cartridges, and linearity from 20 Hz to 20 kHz.

And there's no power switch on the Smart Phono. Leave it plugged in, and it knows when to switch on from standby mode. This is what makes it smart.

"With the Smart Phono connected, the music was powerful and yet utterly composed," notes Channa Vithana in England's Hi-fi World magazine in its review of the original-model Smart Phono. "[It] works to a high standard and did so without a fuss even in a high-end Origin/Live Linn Origin LP source system."

"Many Years of Happy Listening"

The original-model Smart Phono won a "Most Wanted Component" listing in The Stereo Times magazine. "Partnered with the likes of the Benz Micro Ace cartridge it can provide the analog lover with even a beer-budget analog rig many years of happy listening," observes Dave Thomas.

It's a smart value, too. In fact, you'll have trouble finding a better, more versatile phono stage for the money than the Smart Phono v2.

Product Features

Compact phono preamplifier
Compatible with MM and MC cartridges
MM / MC input: Switchable (at bottom)
Subsonic filter: Switchable (at bottom)
Beautifully crafted, solid aluminum chassis
Advanced surface mount-device technology
Linearity from 20Hz to 20 kHz
Output connections: Unbalanced RCA

Product Specs

Mode: MM / MC
Amplification @ 1 kHz: 54-68 dB (MC), 34-48 dB (MM)
Input impedance, MC mode: 50 Ohm, 100 Ohm, 500 Ohm, 1 kOhm, 5 kOhm / 150 pF, 250 pF, 400 pF
Input impedance, MM mode: 47 kOhm / 150 pF, 250 pF, 400 pF
RIAA: 75 µs / 318 µs / 3180 µs
RIAA accuracy: ±0.3 dB 10 Hz – 100 kHz
THD: 0.004%
Signal to noise ratio: 72 dB / moving coil (“A” weighted), 85 dB moving magnet (“A” weighted)
Maximum output voltage: 10 V eff. at 1 kHz
THD: < 0.004% MC ("A" @ 1 kHz/-1 dB @ MAX)
Headroom: 18 dB / moving coil (Gain Control on MAX)
Channel separation: > 90 dB at 1 kHz
Standby mode: < .3 watt
Power supply: ± 18 V DC / 300 mA (external power supply)
Weight: 1.1 lbs.
Dimensions: 4.02" x 3.54" x 1.42"
Manufacturers limited warranty: 3 Years

"Most Wanted Component" Award Winner - The Stereo Times Magazine

The original-model Smart Phono won a "Most Wanted Component" listing in The Stereo Times magazine for 2006. "Partnered with the likes of the Benz Micro Ace cartridge it can provide the analog lover with even a beer-budget analog rig many years of happy listening," observes Dave Thomas.

"With the Smart Phono connected, the music was powerful and yet utterly composed," notes Channa Vithana in England's Hi-fi World magazine. "[It] works to a high standard and did so without a fuss even in a high-end Origin/Live Linn Origin LP source system."