Clearaudio Balance v2
Clearaudio phono preamplifier with milled aluminium casing, compatible with moving magnet and moving coil cartridges, featuring RCA and XLR outputs and a separate power supply.
Description
The Balance V2 is a phono preamplifier from Clearaudio, designed to amplify and equalise the signal from a turntable cartridge before it enters an amplifier or preamplified system. Its casing is precision-milled from aluminium, also available in a black anodised finish, and houses electronics designed to remain simple to use while offering fine adjustments.
The unit features a switch allowing you to toggle between moving magnet and moving coil mode, enabling it to adapt automatically to most high-end phono cartridges without additional adjustment. The RIAA equalisation offers an accuracy of 0.1 dB, a level that guarantees faithful reproduction of the correction curve applied when cutting records. An optional subsonic filter allows low-frequency noise to be attenuated, particularly useful in the presence of warped records or a turntable support poorly isolated from vibrations.
This phono preamplifier is aimed at vinyl enthusiasts with a high-end setup, particularly those wishing to connect their turntable directly to a power amplifier or a balanced input, thanks to the presence of XLR outputs. The built-in headphone output also allows direct listening without going through a complete system.
What to check before buying used
Check that the MM/MC switch functions properly, as its contacts can oxidise or become imprecise with use, causing level jumps or a muted channel. Also test the subsonic filter if present, as well as the absence of hum or background noise once the unit has warmed up, a sign of ageing internal capacitors. Finally, examine the condition of the milled aluminium casing, which is prone to knocks and scratches that affect its original finish.
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