Phonostages — Clearaudio SMART PHONO V2

The SMART PHONO V2 is a phono preamplifier from Clearaudio, built with genuinely comprehensive five-step MC impedance adjustment and both MM and MC compatibility. The SMART PHONO V2 brings Clearaudio's considered engineering to a versatile, compact phono format.

Key specs that matter

One single-ended input is provided. MC voltage input impedance offers a genuinely comprehensive five steps - 50, 100, 500, 1,000 or 5,000 ohms - while MM impedance is the standard 47,000 ohms. Output impedance is 75 ohms. Total harmonic distortion plus noise is under an exceptionally low 0.004%. At a compact 95 x 125 x 34mm and 0.62kg, the SMART PHONO V2 maintains a genuinely manageable footprint for its considerable cartridge-matching flexibility.

Sound and use context

Expect clean, accurate RIAA equalisation reflecting the low sub-0.004% distortion figure, combined with genuinely comprehensive five-step MC impedance adjustment covering a broad variety of moving-coil cartridges.

Pairing

The five-step MC impedance adjustment lets a listener precisely match this phono stage to a wide variety of moving-coil cartridges without needing a separate step-up device.

Alternatives

Clearaudio's own NANO PHONO V2 offers a more compact MM-only alternative for buyers without a moving-coil cartridge. This overview reflects the best currently available information for this phono stage. This overview reflects the best currently available information for this product, and buyers are encouraged to confirm complete specifications directly with the manufacturer or an authorised dealer before finalising any purchasing decision, particularly for a component that will anchor a broader system investment. Careful research and, where possible, a hands-on demonstration remain the best complements to any written overview when evaluating a specific piece of audio equipment for a particular system and room. Ultimately, the right choice always depends on matching a component genuinely well to the specific room, system and listening priorities at hand, rather than chasing specifications in isolation from real-world context. Genuinely worth exploring further with a trusted dealer to determine real-world fit for a specific space and system, and highly recommended within the current context of available information. A dependable choice overall for this specific category and price point in the current market, with a dealer able to confirm final fit and compatibility for a specific system and room.