Clearaudio Stradivari v2.1

The Stradivari v2.1 is known for a smooth, liquid presentation. Because of the ebony body and gold coils, it excels at pulling out subtle textures and depth, offering a refined, natural sound that avoids harshness even in complex passages.

Yes, like many high-end moving coil cartridges, it needs time to settle. You should expect to play it for at least 50 to 100 hours before the suspension and internal components fully loosen up to deliver the intended performance.

A tracking force of 2.8g is on the higher side for some moving coil designs, but it is specific to the Stradivari's engineering. It is crucial to set your tonearm precisely to this weight to ensure the Micro HD stylus maintains proper contact with the groove.

With an output voltage of 0.7 mV and a coil impedance of 50 Ohms, this cartridge is compatible with most high-quality moving coil phono stages. However, check that your phono preamp can handle the 50 Ohm load to ensure optimal impedance matching.

Ebony is a dense, naturally resonant wood that helps dampen unwanted vibrations. By controlling these resonances at the source, the cartridge ensures that the signal picked up by the stylus remains clean and free from coloration.

Boron is incredibly stiff and lightweight, which allows the cantilever to react instantly to the groove's modulations. This results in superior transient response, meaning you will hear sharper, more accurate attacks on instruments like drums or piano.