Clearaudio concept Signature Turntable, Silver

The Clearaudio concept Signature is a belt-drive turntable chassis without tonearm and cartridge – this version with a silver plinth.

Silver is the most understated of the four finishes: a light-coloured chassis, satin top plate, no grain to distract from the unit. Underneath sits exactly the same mechanics as in the other finishes – the difference lies purely in the plinth material and the look.

Why the concept Signature?

Because two things come together here that rarely appear together in this class: an actively regulated speed and a drive unit you're free to equip yourself. The Tacho-Speed-Control measures at the platter rather than simply trusting the motor, and corrects belt stretch, bearing friction and temperature drift during operation. On start-up it self-calibrates; if you want, you can trigger recalibration manually later. The decoupled 12-volt DC motor sits in the IMS light suspension, held away from the plinth by six O-rings – a principle from the Reference Jubilee.

What you get

The foundation of an analogue chain, cleanly built and factory-calibrated: a 30 mm platter made of high-density polymer on a CNC-turned aluminium sub-platter, a hardened steel spindle in a sintered-bronze bushing on a Teflon thrust pad, a ground flat belt, external power supply and height-adjustable feet. You choose the speed via an illuminated button on the front, which steps through 33 1/3, 45 and standby. What's missing is missing on purpose: you decide the tonearm and cartridge, not the manufacturer.

Who is the concept Signature for?

For vinyl listeners who see their drive unit as a foundation to build on – from the concept arm with an MM cartridge right up to the Satisfy Kardan with the Talisman V2 Gold, anything is possible. Plain talk: if you don't have a tonearm yet and have no interest in choosing one, the total cost doesn't get any smaller, just spread out. In that case, a matched complete package like the compass is worth a look. And if you want a plinth with a wood-look finish, go for Wood or Dark Wood.

Our verdict

The silver concept Signature is the foundation for people who know exactly what should go on top – or want to work it out with us. The regulated speed is the kind of progress you don't see in operation but still notice in the music: pitch stays stable, even after the third record side in a row. At HD Zürisee in Wädenswil we mount and align the arm and cartridge for you, instead of handing you a manual.

Technical specifications

• Type: belt-drive turntable chassis, without tonearm and cartridge
• Drive: ground flat belt
• Motor: decoupled, extremely quiet-running 12 V DC motor
• Motor suspension: IMS light – decoupling via six O-rings
• Speed control: Tacho-Speed-Control (TSC), automatically compensates for friction and temperature, self-calibrates on every start, manual recalibration possible
• Speeds: 33 1/3 and 45 rpm (no 78 rpm operation)
• Speed selection: illuminated button on the front, steps through 33 1/3 → 45 → standby
• Wow and flutter: ± 0.05 %
• Platter: 30 mm, high-density polymer, on a CNC-turned aluminium sub-platter
• Bearing: polished, hardened steel spindle in a sintered-bronze bushing on a Teflon thrust pad
• Plinth: medium-density fibreboard (MDF), Silver
• Top plate: satin, low-resonance polymer
• Base plate: medium-density fibreboard (MDF)
• Feet: height-adjustable
• Power supply: external plug-in power supply, 12 V DC, usable worldwide
• Power consumption: max. 3.6 W, 1.92 W in operation, 0.74 W standby
• Compatible tonearms: Clearaudio concept, Verify, Clarify, Satisfy Kardan, Tracer and Profiler
• Compatible cartridges: MM and MC cartridges from the concept mc up to the Talisman V2 Gold, as well as common MM cartridges
• Dimensions (W × H × D): approx. 420 × 125 × 350 mm
• Weight: approx. 7.5 kg (manufacturer figure incl. tonearm and cartridge)
• Finish: Silver
• Matching dust cover: AC174 acrylic dust cover (optional)
• Model no.: TT068/S
• Warranty: 2-year manufacturer's warranty
• Included: drive unit with platter, sub-platter and drive belt, external power supply, instruction manual – tonearm and cartridge not included

Frequently asked questions

Does the concept Signature come with a tonearm?

No, you're buying the bare drive unit. Platter, bearing, motor, control electronics and external power supply are included, tonearm and cartridge are not. You choose both separately – Clearaudio approves the concept, Verify, Clarify, Satisfy Kardan, Tracer and Profiler tonearms, plus MM and MC cartridges up to the Talisman V2 Gold. We match the combination to your phono stage.

What can the Signature do that the regular concept can't?

It actively regulates its own speed. A tachometer measures at the platter and reports back to the control electronics what's actually happening; belt stretch, bearing friction and temperature drift are continuously compensated. It self-calibrates on start-up, and manual calibration is also possible. Also new is the IMS light motor suspension with six O-rings from the Reference Jubilee.

Which speeds does the drive unit support?

33 1/3 and 45 revolutions per minute. Both are factory-calibrated; the illuminated button on the front steps through 33 1/3, 45 and standby in sequence. There's no mode for 78 rpm shellac records. Wow and flutter is, according to Clearaudio, plus/minus 0.05 percent.

Are silver and black technically different?

No. Both use the same MDF plinth with satin polymer top plate, the only difference is the colour. Wood and Dark Wood, by contrast, have a plinth made of high-pressure-compressed solid wood layers. Drive, bearing, platter and control electronics are the same across all four finishes.

Why buy the concept Signature at HD Zürisee?

Because the combination of drive unit, arm, cartridge and phono stage decides the result, not the individual part. We plan the chain with you, mount and align it in Wädenswil, and remain available afterwards as an authorised Clearaudio dealer. Reach us on +41 44 680 22 00, via WhatsApp 076 534 22 00 (text only, no calls) or at shop@hdzuerisee.ch.

Pairs well with

Tonearms for this drive unit are under Tonearms, MM and MC cartridges under Cartridges. The right phono stage is with the Phono Preamps, alignment accessories are in Turntable Accessories. Everything to do with vinyl is gathered under All About Vinyl.