Clearaudio Performance DC Turntable, Black / Black

The Clearaudio Performance DC is a belt-drive turntable unit with a decoupled 12-volt DC motor, inverted ceramic magnetic bearing and a 40 mm POM platter – this version with black aluminium plates on a black plinth.

The drive unit arrives without tonearm and without cartridge. That sounds sparse, but it's honest: you pay for drive, bearing and mass – the parts you never replace later on.

Why the Performance DC?

Because a turntable is supposed to do one thing above all: turn the record evenly and contribute nothing else. The decoupled DC motor drives via a ground flat belt and keeps its vibrations away from the plinth. The inverted bearing runs with a polished ceramic spindle in a sintered-bronze bushing and is relieved by the patented CMB magnetic bearing. The 40 mm thick POM platter provides flywheel mass and keeps wow and flutter at 0.05 percent.

What you get

The all-black version – top plate, bottom plate and plinth all in one tone, which visually turns the 40 mm platter into the real star of the show. Included are the platter, aluminium sub-platter, flat belt, plug-in power supply, bearing oil, grounding cable, gloves and tools. The interchangeable mount accepts almost any commercially available 9-inch tonearm.

Who is the Performance DC for?

For anyone looking for an understated, technically clean foundation who wants to put the rest together themselves – ideally over several years. Plain talk: if you want a finished device today with arm and cartridge already aligned, you're better served with the Clearaudio Concept. The Performance DC is a foundation, not a finished product.

Our verdict

Understated in appearance, uncompromising in construction – and with 33, 45 and 78 rpm more broadly equipped than most competitors in this class. FIDELITY wrote in its review: “Sonically, it doesn't need to hide behind top-class components either.” (No. 41, 2019). Which arm and cartridge suit it, we'll discuss with you calmly at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil.

Technical specifications

• Type: turntable drive unit, belt drive – without tonearm and cartridge
• Motor: decoupled 12 V DC motor, electronically regulated
• Drive: ground flat belt onto aluminium sub-platter
• Bearing: inverted, ground and polished ceramic spindle, sintered-bronze running bushing, patented magnetic bearing (CMB)
• Platter: 40 mm solid POM, with aluminium sub-platter
• Speeds: 33 1/3, 45 and 78 rpm, electronically switchable via button
• Wow and flutter: 0.05 %
• Fine speed adjustment: three trimmers on the rear
• Plinth construction: resonance-optimised, high-density wood chassis in sandwich construction between two aluminium plates
• Finish: Black aluminium plates / Black plinth
• Tonearm mount: interchangeable mount for almost all commercially available 9-inch tonearms
• Recommended tonearms: Satisfy Kardan Aluminium, Tracer, TT5 (incl. swing base)
• Power supply: plug-in power supply for worldwide use on all mains voltages and frequencies; optional upgrade to Clearaudio Professional Power 12V or smart power 12V
• Power consumption: max. 3.3 W, operating 1.6 W, off 0.0 W
• Matching dust cover: AC104 (radial tonearm) / AC104/TT5 (with TT5)
• Dimensions (W × H × D): approx. 420 × 125 × 330 mm (without tonearm)
• Weight: approx. 11.0 kg
• Model no.: TT040/B/B
• Warranty: 5 years if registered within 14 days
• Included: drive unit body with motor, bearing top part, aluminium sub-platter, platter, flat belt, plug-in power supply, bearing oil, hex keys, grounding cable, gloves, quality and warranty card – tonearm and cartridge not included

Frequently asked questions

Does the Performance DC come with a tonearm and cartridge?

No. This page shows the bare drive unit. Clearaudio also offers the Performance DC as a complete package with a pre-mounted tonearm and cartridge – here you get the base and choose arm and cartridge freely. The interchangeable mount accepts almost any commercially available 9-inch tonearm.

What do the two colour names in the title mean?

The first names the aluminium top and bottom plates, the second the plinth in between. In this version both are black, which makes the drive unit look like a single piece. The plinth is a high-density wood chassis that sits in sandwich construction between the aluminium plates and damps resonance.

What speeds does the Performance DC manage?

33 1/3, 45 and 78 revolutions per minute, electronically switchable via a button. So shellac records play without an extra platter or belt change, you just need a suitable 78 rpm stylus. Fine adjustment of all three speeds is done via trimmers on the rear, and wow and flutter is 0.05 percent.

Does the Performance DC need a better power supply?

That's not necessary. The included plug-in power supply reliably powers the 12-volt DC motor and works worldwide on all mains voltages. Anyone looking for more quiet in the drive later on can switch to the Clearaudio Professional Power 12V or the smart power 12V – both are designed exactly for the Performance DC series.

Why buy the Performance DC at HD Zürisee?

Because we take on the configuration this drive unit calls for. We select a matching tonearm, cartridge and phono stage, mount and align cleanly and remain reachable afterwards when the stylus needs replacing. Call us on +41 44 680 22 00, via WhatsApp 076 534 22 00 (text only, no calls) or shop@hdzuerisee.ch.

Pairs well with

You choose the arm under Tonearms, the cartridge under Cartridges, the phono stage under Phono Preamps. More drive units are under Turntables, small parts in Turntable Accessories.