Clearaudio Compass
Clearaudio Compass belt-driven turntable, supplied with T1 tonearm and N1 cartridge factory pre-set, for immediate use.
Description
The Clearaudio Compass is a belt-driven turntable offered by the German manufacturer Clearaudio, known for its high-end turntables. The Compass carries forward the brand's design principles while aiming for a more compact format and simplified setup: the tonearm and cartridge are factory pre-set, allowing use straight out of the box.
The chassis combines wood fibres with a steel plate, a construction intended to contain vibrations. The main platter, made of 2.0 cm thick acrylic, rests on a CNC-machined aluminium sub-platter; the spindle is made of polished, hardened steel, running in a sintered bronze bearing on a Teflon thrust pad, with a measured speed accuracy of ± 0.05%. The 12 V DC motor is decoupled and damped against resonances, driven by a flat belt, with a running power consumption of 1.95 watts and a maximum power consumption of 4 watts.
The T1 tonearm, made of aluminium, is a compact version of the brand's Satisfy tonearm. It offers a cartridge balancing range of 2.5 g to 17.0 g, an effective length of 239.12 mm and an overhang of 17.12 mm. The supplied N1 cartridge, an elliptical type with an aluminium body and cantilever, delivers an output voltage of approximately 3.3 mV at 1 kHz and is set to a recommended tracking force of 2.2 g (± 0.3 g). The 1.1 m Clearaudio Direct Wire PLUS cabling terminates in standard RCA connectors, compatible with most phono inputs.
This model is aimed both at those discovering vinyl listening who want a turntable that's simple to set up, and at existing enthusiasts looking for an upgradeable base: the cartridge can be replaced later on to progress the system without starting from scratch. Total weight is around 8 kg with tonearm and cartridge fitted, for dimensions of approximately 43.5 × 34.0 × 12.0 cm including dust cover.
Technical specifications
| Available speeds | 33 ⅓, 45 rpm |
| Bearing | Polished, hardened steel spindle in a sintered bronze bearing, Teflon thrust pad |
| Platter | 2.0 cm acrylic main platter, CNC-machined aluminium sub-platter |
| Speed accuracy (measured) | ± 0.05 % |
| Maximum power consumption | 4 W |
| Running power consumption | 1.95 W |
| Standby power consumption | 0.74 W |
| Off mode power consumption | 0.0 W |
| Tonearm construction | Radial tonearm with external anti-skate counterweight |
| Cartridge balancing range | 2.5 g – 17.0 g |
| Overhang | 17.12 mm |
| Total tonearm length | 305.00 mm |
| Effective tonearm length | 239.12 mm |
| Mounting distance (pivot to spindle) | 222.00 mm |
| Offset angle | 24.02° |
| Cabling | 1.1 m Clearaudio Direct Wire PLUS, RCA connectors |
| Total tonearm mass | 12.6 g (± 0.2 g) |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz – 20 kHz |
| Output voltage (1 kHz, 5 cm/s) | ~ 3.3 mV |
| Channel separation (1 kHz) | 20 dB |
| Channel balance (1 kHz) | 2 dB |
| Tracking capability | 80 μm |
| Recommended tracking force | 2.2 g (± 0.3 g) |
| Coil impedance (1 kHz) | 0.66 kΩ |
| Coil inductance | 400 mH |
| Load resistance | 47 kΩ |
| Load capacitance | 100 pF |
| Cantilever / stylus shape | Aluminium / elliptical |
| Compliance | 15 μ/mN |
| Cartridge body | Aluminium |
| Weight | approximately 8 kg (tonearm and cartridge included) |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) | approximately 43.5 × 34.0 × 12.0 cm (dust cover included) |
What to check before buying used
The T1 tonearm and the originally supplied cartridge are factory pre-set: check that this setting has not been disturbed by later fitting or transport, particularly the alignment of the elliptical stylus and the tracking force around 2.2 g. Examine the sintered bronze bearing and Teflon thrust pad of the spindle for play or unusual wear after several years of rotation. Also check the condition of the flat drive belt, which can stretch or crack over time and affect speed accuracy.
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