Clearaudio Universal
Clearaudio carbon radial tonearm, available in 9 or 12 inches, designed for fine adjustment and broad compatibility with cartridges.
Description
The Universal is a radial tonearm from Clearaudio, intended to equip a turntable as a replacement or complement to an original tonearm. Its construction relies on a carbon tube, chosen for its lightness and rigidity, combined with a high-precision ball-bearing race on the vertical and horizontal axes.
This architecture aims to limit parasitic friction so that the cartridge follows the record groove with minimal added colouration or distortion. Azimuth and VTA (vertical tracking angle) adjustment is done via dedicated options, and an optional VTA-LIFTER even allows the VTA to be adjusted whilst a record is playing. Accepted cartridge weight ranges from 2.9 g to 24.8 g, with tracking force adjustment via micrometric vernier and interchangeable counterweights, allowing broad compatibility with most cartridges on the market.
- Distance from arm bearing to platter spindle: 222 mm in the 9-inch version, 295 mm in the 12-inch version
- Total length: 345 mm (9 inches) or 430 mm (12 inches)
- Clearaudio mounting hole, 24.85 mm bore diameter
- Clearaudio Sixtream Super connecting cable, 1.1 m, terminated with MPC RCA connectors
This tonearm is aimed at audiophiles equipping a high-end turntable and wishing to precisely fine-tune the azimuth, VTA and tracking force of their cartridge, with the option to develop their setup thanks to interchangeable counterweights.
Technical specifications
| Cartridge weight | 2.9 g to 24.8 g |
| Weight adjustment | micrometric vernier |
| Connecting cable | Clearaudio Sixtream Super (1.1 m), MPC RCA connectors |
| Distance from arm bearing to platter spindle (9 inches) | 222 mm |
| Distance from arm bearing to platter spindle (12 inches) | 295 mm |
| Total length (9 inches) | 345 mm |
| Total length (12 inches) | 430 mm |
| Mounting hole bore diameter | 24.85 mm |
| Weight (counterweight included) | approximately 740 g |
What to check before buying used
On a tonearm of this design, attention should first be paid to the condition of the bearing race: any play or stiffness at this level directly affects groove tracking. Also check the integrity of the Sixtream Super connecting cable and its MPC RCA connectors, as well as the presence and proper functioning of the micrometric vernier tracking force adjustment system. Finally, make sure the supplied counterweight matches the arm version (9 or 12 inches) and that the mounting hole is compatible with the intended turntable.
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