Clearaudio Goes "Entry Level" With Compass Turntable
company says Compass turntable is compact, easy to use and sets new performance standards at its price point.
(press release): Erlangen, Germany 2nd June 2025 – for immediate release: German analogue audio specialist, Clearaudio has launched Compass: a new entry-level turntable designed to make high-end audio quality and performance accessible, without compromise.
Compass is a ready-to-play turntable featuring a new T1 tonearm - a smaller version of Clearaudio’s acclaimed Satisfy tonearm - and the newly developed N1 MM cartridge. The compact model comes in sleek black or silver, complete with a detachable acrylic lid. High precision milled components, premium materials, and manufacturing quality engineered for longevity are designed to ensure Compass delivers years of musical enjoyment.
Compass motor, pulley and subplatter
Clearaudio CEO, Robert Suchy, says: “Clearaudio has always stood for uncompromising quality, ultimate precision, and exceptional design. Now we are welcoming a wider audience for our high-end technology and performance with Compass: a ready-to-play turntable delivering a vinyl-listening experience that far exceeds expectations in this price range.”
At the core of Compass is a precision bearing in combination with a specially manufactured platter and sub-platter – crafted with the same attention to detail that defines all Clearaudio products. Full technical specifications for the turntable, tonearm and cartridge are detailed below.
Clearaudio Compass is just entering production; it will be available at Clearaudio stockists worldwide by September, with a suggested retail price of €1290 (global pricing TBC).
Technical data Compass turntable:
Construction details: | · Resonance-optimised turntable · Turntable chassis comprises medium-density wood fibre · Steel bottom plate for additional weight · Including decoupling elements |
Speed options: | 33 ⅓, 45, U/min |
Drive unit: | · Decoupled and resonance damped 12V DC motor · Flat belt-drive · Plug-in power supply unit, designed for worldwide use with all networks and power frequencies |
Bearing: | Polished and tempered steel spindle in a sintered bronze bushing, running on a teflon thrust-pad. |
Platter: | 20mm /0.787 inches main platter, made out of acrylic with excellent dimension stability / precision CNC machined aluminium sub-platter. |
Speed accuracy (measured): | +/- 0,05 % |
Power consumption:
| Max. consumption: 4 watts Consumption in operation: 1.95 watts Standby: 0.74 watts Off mode: 0.0 watts (switched off at the bottom) |
Total weight: | Approx. 8kg (incl. tonearm and cartridge) |
Dimensions (W/D/H): | Approx. 17.13 x 13.39 x 4.72 inches (incl. Dustcover) |
Manufacturer’s warranty: | 2 years* |
Technical data T1 tonearm:
Construction details: | Radial tonearm with external anti-skating counterweight |
Material: | Aluminium (black/silver), Counterweight: stainless steel |
Cartridge balance range: | 2.5g - 17.0g |
Overhang: | 17.12mm |
Total length: | 305.00mm |
Effective length: | 239.12mm |
Mounting distance | 222.00mm |
Offset angle: | 24.02° |
Wiring: | 1.1m Clearaudio Direct Wire PLUS terminated with RCA |
Weight: | Approx. 390g (incl. counterweight) |
Manufacturer’s warranty: | 2 years* |
Technical data N1 cartridge:
Total mass: | 14.3g (± 0.2g) |
Frequency response: | 20Hz - 20kHz |
Output voltage (1kHz, 5cm/s): | ~ 3.3mV |
Channel separation (1kHz): | 20dB |
Channel balance (1kHz): | 2dB |
Tracking ability: | 80μm |
Recommended tracking force: | 2.2g (± 0.3g) |
Coil impedance (1kHz): | 0.66kΩ |
Coil inductance: | 400mH |
Load resistance: | 47kΩ |
Load capacitance: | 100pF |
Cantilever / stylus shape: | Aluminium / elliptical |
Compliance: | 15μ/mN |
Cartridge body: | Aluminium |
Manufacturer’s warranty: | 2 years* |