Clearaudio Maestro -- MM Cartridge Mini Review and Update

[Alberto]

Below is a reprint of my review of the Clearaudio Maestro from July 2007 (originally posted on another forum).

I still have this cartridge and I still love the way it sounds. It mates perfectly with the C220 and it never - and I mean NEVER - calls attention to itself by mistracking, inner-groove distortion, etc. A true champ.

If it wasn't for the MDA1000 (and Sonos+Rhapsody), I would have probably worn the stylus by now, but I am well below the 1,000hrs mark and, in any case, there are no hints of sound degradation.

I believe the Maestro is still the most expensive MM on the market ($1K), I would not hesitate to buy it again (or retip it) when the time comes.

Alberto

Original review:

I set the cart with a VTF of 2.1 gm, and almost dead-flat VTA. I used the HiFi News Test LP to make sure everything was in order and she passed with flying colors – including the torture test tracks. Vertical and horizontal resonance both came in at about 9Hz.

I let the cart break-in for 40+ hours, but I could already tell I was going to really like it.

My main concerns: surface noise and inner-grove distortions were not an issue at all – huge sigh or relief. While it was breaking in, however, the tracking hiccupped a couple of times. Once in a really “hot” part of the new Joni Mitchell’s “Blue” - remastered by S.Hoffman. Joni hit and sustained a loud high note and the cart went nuts for a second or so. Pretty scary. The good news is that since settling in I’ve had ZERO, and I mean ZERO tracking issues even on that track – trust me I played it several times since.

The main reasons I decided to upgrade from the 440mla were: more beef in the lower octaves, cleaner mids, and less hash at the top. The Maestro gave me exactly what I was looking for – along with an all-around “classier” sound and a wider soundstage.

I listen to jazz, classical, and rock (in that order) and the Maestro performed great on all of them. On jazz recordings, it gave me the warmth and tone I was looking for – especially on vocals. On classical recordings, it gave me a very wide and realistic soundstage; it made strings sound like strings, put a nice “bite” into the brass, and triangles sparkled and shimmered, as you’d expect. On rock, it gave me the bottom octave excitement I craved.

I made this purchase with some trepidation because – even though the 440mla was having a hard time keeping up with the rest of my system – it did not do anything wrong and never called attention to itself. And I did not have to worry about destroying it – for $90 I could get a brand-new one. After my accident, the long exposed cantilever of the Maestro is a bit of a concern, but it’s a great reminder to be extra careful.

By now I must have listened to well over 150 sides on the Maestro (my wife thinks I am glued to the listening chair) and I am VERY satisfied with my purchase. Coupled with my suspended vintage Thorens+SME, the always smooth sounding McIntosh amps, and the oh-so-musical Sonus Faber speakers, I am getting exactly the sound I want out of my system: the right amount of speed and detail, a wide soundstage, and no listening fatigue. I can’t ask for more than that.

The Mestro might not offer the last word in detail, speed, resolution, etc. when compared to a top MC, but if you value musicality, some warmth, and low listening fatigue, I believe that this MM would be worthy of your consideration.

[Jerome W]

Very useful Alberto !!
Thank you so much for reposting that great review.
I'm quite sure I'm going to get that one on my future Clearudio Champion level II.
Cheers,
Jérôme