Get ready, vinyl lovers! The German company Clearaudio, known for making some seriously high-end (and high-priced) audio gear, has just dropped a new turntable that’s designed for a much wider audience. Meet the Clearaudio Compass – a belt-driven deck priced at €1290, bringing a taste of their premium engineering to a surprisingly accessible level.
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Here’s the big deal: Clearaudio usually builds turntables that cost as much as a house or even a luxury car. The new Compass is a complete shift, offering their expertise and quality build in a package that’s significantly more affordable. This means you might finally be able to experience that high-fidelity vinyl sound Clearaudio is famous for, without needing a second mortgage.
Why This Turntable is a Game Changer
Clearaudio has a reputation built on precision and craftsmanship, often seen in their ultra-expensive models (we’re talking decks that can hit £150,000!). The Compass takes that same philosophy and scales it down, using carefully crafted components and quality materials to aim for “accessible performance without compromise.”
At its core, the Compass features a high-precision bearing paired with a specially designed platter and sub-platter. Think of these like the sturdy foundation and spinning plate for your records – engineered to be super stable and minimize unwanted vibrations or noise that could mess with how your music sounds.
The turntable’s base, or chassis, is made from a dense wood fiber material, reinforced with a steel plate underneath. This combination adds solid weight and stability, further helping to keep everything quiet and focused on the music coming from your vinyl.
Packed with Quality Components
Driving the action is a specially dampened DC motor. Because it’s belt-driven, the motor is physically isolated from the platter, which helps reduce any noise it might make from reaching your sensitive vinyl and needle.
Switching between record speeds (the standard 33⅓ and 45 rpm) is handled electronically, making it simple and convenient.
One of the cool things about the Compass is that it comes ready to play right out of the box with included, quality components. It features Clearaudio’s recently announced N1 moving magnet cartridge (a crucial part that reads the grooves on your record), which is designed to offer great performance at this entry level. It also sports the new T1 tonearm – the arm that holds the cartridge – which benefits from technology borrowed from Clearaudio’s more premium ‘Satisfy’ model.
Close-up view of the Clearaudio Compass turntable in black, showing the tonearm and logo detail
(Looking to learn more about different types of phono cartridges? Discover how Clearaudio’s N1 aims to set a new benchmark for entry-level moving magnet cartridges.)
Simple Setup, Premium Experience
Beyond the core technology, the Compass is designed with everyday use in mind. It’s built to be compact and easy to set up. It includes a detachable acrylic lid to keep dust off your precious records and the delicate needle, and a simple plug-in power supply is included in the box.
Clearaudio CEO Robert Suchy highlighted this focus, stating, “Clearaudio has always stood for uncompromising quality and exceptional design. Now we are welcoming a wider audience for our high-end technology with Compass: a ready-to-play turntable delivering a vinyl-listening experience that exceeds expectations in this price range.”
Price and Availability
The Clearaudio Compass turntable is set to arrive in September. It will be available in two classic finishes, silver or black. The price is confirmed at €1290, with pricing for other regions expected soon.
It’s exciting to see a brand known for pushing the boundaries of high-end audio make a move towards the accessible market. The Compass looks like a fantastic opportunity for more people to experience the quality sound and build Clearaudio is celebrated for, all while enjoying their vinyl collection.
Want to see how Clearaudio crafts their high-end gear? Step inside the Clearaudio factory and see how they build incredible turntables and assemble cartridges by hand.
Curious about other options? Check out our picks for the best turntables we have tested. You can also find recommendations for the best cartridges to get the most out of your records.
