The Clearaudio Compass is a turntable designed in accordance with the brand's signature concept of minimizing resonance and ensuring stable rotation. The plinth's design is optimized for vibration suppression, and the chassis is constructed of medium-density fiberboard with a steel bottom plate for increased mass and stability. Decoupling elements are included to help isolate the deck from external influences.
The Clearaudio Compass features a decoupled and damped 12-volt DC motor, transmitting torque via a flat belt. This solution ensures smooth operation and low mechanical noise. The external power supply is designed for use on all power grids and with various power frequencies. The 20 mm thick platter is made of acrylic with high dimensional stability and is complemented by a precision-machined aluminum subplatter. The bearing assembly is built on a polished and hardened steel axle, rotating in a sintered bronze bushing and supported by a Teflon pad. The measured speed accuracy is +/- 0.05%, ensuring stable musical reproduction.
The Clearaudio Compass supports both 33 1/3 and 45 rpm. Power consumption in operating mode is 2.81 watts, with a maximum of 5.56 watts, and 0 watts in off mode. The total weight of the turntable, including the tonearm, cartridge, and dust cover, is approximately 8.4 kg.
Clearaudio Compass Review
: The Clearaudio Compass stands out thanks to its meticulous design, which embodies all the aesthetic and technical hallmarks of the German brand. Available in elegant black or silver, it showcases Clearaudio's signature refined design with its clean lines and timeless appearance. The central element of this sonic architecture is the chassis. Made of medium-density fiberboard (MDF), it is strategically reinforced with a steel bottom plate, which provides additional ballast and significantly increases overall stability. This sandwich construction optimizes structural rigidity, effectively reducing parasitic resonances that can degrade sound reproduction.
The 20mm-thick acrylic main platter is one of the most striking elements of this turntable. Precision-machined on a CNC machine, this translucent platter rests on a machined aluminum sub-platter, ensuring perfectly smooth and silent rotation. The structure is supported by a high-precision bearing, combining a polished and hardened steel spindle, a sintered bronze bushing, and a Teflon base, ensuring exceptional rotational speed accuracy of ±0.05%. The turntable features height-adjustable feet with integrated high-quality vibration damping elements, ensuring optimal installation and effective vibration isolation. A clear acrylic protective dust cover, mounted on stainless steel hinges, completes the design without detracting from the Compass's refined aesthetic.
The compass is driven by a belt drive from a 12V DC motor, which is isolated and dampened to prevent resonance. This configuration ensures smooth and silent movement, minimizing vibrations that could affect groove tracking. The turntable offers two standard playback speeds: 33 1/3 and 45 rpm, selected via a discreet switch located underneath the turntable. Power is supplied by a universal external power supply, ensuring electrical isolation of the mechanical assembly.
The T1 tonearm represents a significant innovation for this turntable. It is a compact version of Clearaudio's legendary Satisfy tonearm, specifically designed for the Compass. This all-metal radial tonearm has an effective length of 239.12 mm, a 222 mm mounting distance, and a 24.02° offset angle. It features an external counterweight, capable of balancing cartridges weighing between 2.5 and 17.0 grams, and an external anti-skating system for precise adjustment. The tonearm harness utilizes Clearaudio Direct Wire PLUS technology, running 1.1 meters with pre-installed RCA connectors to ensure optimal analog signal transmission. An aluminum cartridge positioning lever facilitates cartridge handling and protects it during positioning.
Another important technical innovation in the Compass is the N1 moving magnet cartridge. Specifically developed for this model, it embodies Clearaudio's latest developments in magnetic transduction. This cartridge boasts remarkable technical characteristics: a total weight of 12.6 grams (±0.2 g), an extended frequency range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz, and an output voltage of 3.3 mV at 1 kHz and 5 cm/s. Channel separation reaches 20 dB at 1 kHz, and channel balance is controlled within 2 dB.
An aluminum cantilever supports an elliptical stylus, ensuring exceptional groove tracking accuracy of 80 µm. A recommended tracking force of 2.2 grams (±0.3 g) and a compliance of 15 µN ensure optimal groove tracking while maintaining record integrity. The coil's impedance of 0.66 kΩ at 1 kHz and inductance of 400 mH are optimized for operation with a load resistance of 47 kΩ and a load capacitance of 100 pF, which are standard values for MM phono preamplifiers. This cartridge delivers a lively, clear, and smooth sound that significantly exceeds the typical standards in this price category.
The Clearaudio Compass turntable is undoubtedly a seamless transition into the world of German high-quality vinyl. This affordable yet ambitious turntable successfully meets the challenging task of democratizing Clearaudio technology without compromising sound quality. Its “ready-to-use” approach eliminates the complexities of assembly and adjustment that might intimidate beginners, while maintaining the technical characteristics expected of a true Clearaudio. The perfect synergy between the T1 tonearm and N1 cartridge, specifically designed for this model, ensures optimal sound balance right out of the box.
This turntable is ideal for music lovers who want to discover or rediscover the joy of listening to vinyl without the technical limitations typically associated with reference audiophile equipment. This Compass model fully embodies Clearaudio's signature sound, characterized by precision, dynamics, and musicality, ensuring an affordable price without compromising sound quality.
Clearaudio Compass Specifications
- Drive Type Belt-
- driven Speed Range 33 1/3 rpm, 45 rpm
- Motor 12 V DC, decoupled and damped
- Chassis Material Medium-Density Fiberboard, Steel Bottom Plate
- Platter 20 mm Acrylic, Aluminum Sub-Platform
- Bearing Hardened Steel Axle, Sintered Bronze Bushing, Teflon Bearing
- Speed Accuracy +/- 0.05%
- Power Consumption (Max) 5.56 W
- Power Consumption (Operating) 2.81 W
- Power Consumption (Off) 0 W
- Resonance-Optimized Chassis Design
- 20 mm Acrylic Platter with Aluminum Sub-Platform
- 12 V DC Motor with Damping and Belt-driven
- Accuracy of Rotation +/- 0.05%
- Dimensions (W x D x H) 435 x 340 x 120 mm
- Weight 8.4 kg (including tonearm, cartridge and cover)