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Clearaudio Compass
By: Tracking Angle

June 3rd, 2025

Category:

Industry News

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
(silver / black)

·       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)
Approx. 435 x 340 x 120mm (incl. dustcover)

Manufacturer’s warranty:

2 years*
* Provided that the warranty card is correctly registered online at https://clearaudio.de/en/service/registration.php, within 14 days of purchase.

 

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
(tonearm pivot to spindle):

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*
* Provided that the warranty card is correctly registered online at https://clearaudio.de/en/service/registration.php, within 14 days of purchase.


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*
* Provided that the warranty card is correctly registered online at https://clearaudio.de/en/service/registration.php, within 14 days of purchase.

 

Comments

  • 2025-06-05 01:32:35 PM

    GaryH wrote:

    No doubt about Clear Audio quality, but any thoughts about Compass vs the Music Hall Stealth table which costs a couple hundred more? Stealth seems beefier with a VTA adjustment to tonearm. Clear Audio may have the better installed cart.