Nano Phono
V2 - Phono amplifier - silver - Clearaudio

Barely larger than a deck of playing cards — yet a serious contender in high-quality analogue systems: the Clearaudio nano phono V2 proves that audiophile performance cannot be measured by size. Designed and hand-assembled in Erlangen, Germany, it distils Clearaudio's decades of phono expertise into a compact, accessibly priced enclosure — without compromise in circuit design, component quality, or RIAA accuracy.

The circuit board sits inside a solid, CNC-machined aluminium block — resonance-free, shielded, thermally stable. At its core are Burr-Brown precision ICs from Texas Instruments, paired with carefully selected SMD components and the shortest possible signal paths. Every unit passes multiple quality inspections. The result is a phono stage that completely belies its size: quiet, precise, and capable of genuine soundstage depth.

At the heart of the nano phono V2 lies its fully dual-mono signal path: left and right channels run in strict separation from input to output, each with independent switches for gain stage, MM/MC selection, and subsonic filter. Crosstalk is minimised by design — measured channel separation exceeds 80 dB at 1 kHz. The active core components are Burr-Brown ICs from Texas Instruments, renowned for their exceptionally low-noise, low-distortion operation. Total harmonic distortion remains below 0.04 %, and the signal-to-noise ratio in MM mode reaches 81 dB (A).

RIAA equalisation accuracy of ±0.4 dB from 20 Hz to 50 kHz is remarkably precise — a figure that commands respect even in significantly more expensive units. This curve accuracy is critical for natural sound reproduction: even minor deviations in RIAA correction audibly skew the tonal balance. The nano phono V2 shows no weakness here. The solid CNC-machined aluminium enclosure simultaneously acts as an effective Faraday cage, shielding the low-noise circuitry from magnetic and electrical interference before it can reach the signal path.

Rarely does a phono stage at this price point offer such depth of configuration. Switching between MM and MC is done via a jumper on the underside of the unit — separately for each channel, allowing careful per-channel symmetry matching. In MC mode, four selectable loading resistors are included: 51 Ω, 200 Ω, 402 Ω, and 1000 Ω. Clearaudio recommends the 402 Ω value for their own MC cartridges, while explicitly encouraging listeners to trust their own ears. In MM mode, the standard impedance of 47 kΩ / 220 pF is set, providing an optimal match for virtually all MM cartridges.

A switchable subsonic filter — also via jumper — suppresses low-frequency rumble caused by platter resonances or room-induced vibration. This is particularly valuable with older pressings or in rooms with low structural resonance frequencies, effectively relieving the amplifier and speakers from handling infrasonic content. On the top of the chassis, a power button and level control allow the phono output to be matched in volume to other line-level inputs — a practical detail for systems where phono and streaming sources need to sit at the same level.

The British specialist publication Hi-Fi News honoured the nano phono V2 with its coveted Editor's Choice Award. Reviewer Andrew Simpson captured its character in a widely cited phrase: "For such a little fellow, sonically the Nano has the heart of a lion and gives its all in every performance." An assessment that perfectly describes this device — a small enclosure that punches far above its weight class.

Within the Clearaudio family, the nano phono V2 forms the ideal entry point into the brand's analogue ecosystem — particularly when paired with Clearaudio turntables such as the Concept. For those looking to step up to a standalone phono stage with valve amplification or balanced outputs, the Clearaudio Balance or Symphono lines offer the natural progression. For everything below that threshold, the nano phono V2 is the most honest answer to the question of how much phono stage you actually need.