Cartridges — Clearaudio DA VINCI V2

The da Vinci V2 is a moving coil cartridge in the V2 generation of Clearaudio MC designs, and its current update is the da Vinci V2.1. Clearaudio developed it through intensive research in Erlangen, Germany, where the company is based. It is easy to recognise by its red livery, a colour applied to the coated metal housing rather than to wood, unlike the ebony and satiné models nearby in the range.

Key specs that matter

Signal output measures 0.5 mV at 5 cm/s with a cartridge impedance of 50 ohm. Clearaudio quotes 20 Hz to 20 kHz, 25 to 30 dB of channel separation and less than 0.5 dB difference between channels. The cantilever is boron, carrying a Clearaudio Prime Line diamond. Tracking ability is 80 µm, stylus compliance 15 µ/mN, and the recommended downforce 2.8 g within a 0.2 g tolerance. At 6.8 g the da Vinci is lighter than the seven-gram Concerto and Stradivari. Warranty is two years, conditional on the completed card being returned to Clearaudio within 14 days.

Engineering and use context

The aluminium housing receives an extra-hard anodised layer 30 microns thick, which Clearaudio calls a ceramic coating, and Clearaudio says the construction is meant to dissipate resonances efficiently while keeping the body rigid. Inside works a patented arrangement of eight magnets designed for the highest possible density of field lines through the coils. The coils themselves are wound with 24 carat gold wire and positioned in strict pivot symmetry around the cantilever's pivot point, which the maker links to precise signal pickup. Low mass, a light but rigid boron cantilever and the fine diamond grind are the three points Clearaudio lists as the basis for the cartridge's tracking. Clearaudio's own photographs show it fitted to a carbon tonearm tube.

Pairing

With its low output and low source impedance, the da Vinci belongs on an MC phono input with high gain or behind a step-up transformer whose primary is intended for such coils. The recommended tracking force must be within the counterweight range of the chosen arm.

Alternatives

The Clearaudio Concerto V2.1 is a moving coil sibling with gold coils and a boron cantilever in a satin-finished wooden housing with a metal inlay.