Clearaudio Performance DC Turntable, Black / Wood

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 solid-wood plinth.

Tonearm and cartridge are deliberately not included. What looks like a gap at first glance is the real appeal: you pay for drive, bearing and mass – the parts you never replace later – and decide the rest yourself.

Why the Performance DC?

Because here three assemblies work together instead of disturbing one another. The 12-volt DC motor stands decoupled and passes its power via a ground flat belt to the aluminium sub-platter instead of sending vibrations into the plinth. The inverted bearing runs with a ground, polished ceramic spindle in a sintered-bronze bushing and is relieved by the patented CMB magnetic bearing. And the 40 mm thick POM platter brings enough flywheel mass that wow and flutter stays at 0.05 percent.

What you get

A drive unit where black top and bottom plates frame a solid-wood plinth – the wood edge stays visible as a warm stripe and takes the sternness out of the technology. The box contains the drive unit body with motor, platter, aluminium sub-platter, bearing top part, flat belt, plug-in power supply, bearing oil, grounding cable and hex keys. The tonearm base is designed as an interchangeable mount and accepts almost any commercially available 9-inch arm.

Who is the Performance DC for?

For you, if your rack is made up of dark devices and could still use some warmth in the picture – and if you want to decide arm, cartridge and phono stage yourself. Plain talk: if you're looking for a device that's unboxed and plays right away, you're better off with the factory-aligned Clearaudio Concept. The Performance DC wants to be configured first. We take the work off your hands, not the decision.

Our verdict

The most down-to-earth version in the line-up: solid wood you can touch, black plates that don't age visually, and underneath the same mechanics as in the pricier finishes – including 78 rpm for the shellac box in the basement. Hans von Draminski noted in his review: “Sonically, it doesn't need to hide behind top-class components either.” – FIDELITY No. 41, 2019 (test unit: rose gold finish with Tracer tonearm). Which arm suits the cartridge you want, we'll quickly work out with you at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil.

Technical specifications

• Type: turntable drive unit, belt drive – without tonearm and cartridge
• Motor: decoupled, smooth-running 12 V DC motor
• Drive: ground flat belt onto aluminium sub-platter
• Bearing: inverted, ground and polished ceramic bearing spindle, sintered-bronze running bushing, patented magnetic bearing (CMB)
• Platter: 40 mm solid, black POM, with aluminium sub-platter
• Speeds: 33 1/3, 45 and 78 rpm, switchable via button
• Wow and flutter: 0.05 %
• Fine speed adjustment: three trimmers on the rear next to the mains connector (left 78, centre 45, right 33 1/3) – use only a plastic or ceramic screwdriver
• Plinth construction: resonance-optimised, high-density wood chassis in sandwich construction between two aluminium plates
• Finish: Black aluminium plates / Solid wood plinth
• Tonearm mount: interchangeable mount for almost all commercially available 9-inch tonearms
• Tonearms from the Clearaudio range: Clarify (named in the manual), Tracer, tangential TT5 tonearm
• Power supply: plug-in power supply, switchable for worldwide use; 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
• Dimensions (W × H × D): approx. 420 × 125 × 330 mm (without tonearm)
• Weight: approx. 11.0 kg
• Warranty: 5 years if registered within 14 days
• Included: drive unit body with motor, platter, aluminium sub-platter, bearing top part, flat belt, plug-in power supply, bearing oil, various hex keys, grounding cable, 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 supplies the Performance DC from the factory without tonearm and without cartridge, you choose both freely. There's also a complete-package version with pre-mounted arm and cartridge – tell us which of the two variants you want.

What do the two colour names Black / Wood stand for?

The first describes the aluminium top and bottom plate, the second the chassis in between. Here the metal plates are black, the chassis is made of high-density solid wood with a visible edge. It sits in sandwich construction between the plates and damps resonance before it reaches the cartridge.

Which tonearms fit the Performance DC?

Almost any commercially available 9-inch tonearm, because the tonearm base is designed as an interchangeable mount. In the manual, Clearaudio names its own Clarify; from the range, the Tracer and the tangential TT5 tonearm also fit. There's also the AC104 or AC104/TT5 acrylic dust cover to go with it.

Can I also play shellac records with the Performance DC?

Yes. Besides 33 1/3 and 45 rpm, the drive unit handles 78 rpm, switchable via a button and without a belt change or extra platter. All you need is a cartridge with a suitable 78 rpm stylus. All three speeds can be fine-tuned via trimmers on the rear.

Why buy the Performance DC at HD Zürisee?

Because after the purchase three decisions still wait: arm, cartridge and phono stage. That's exactly where our work begins. We put together the combination, mount and align it in-house and stay reachable when the stylus eventually needs replacing. Reach us on +41 44 680 22 00, WhatsApp 076 534 22 00 (text only, no calls), shop@hdzuerisee.ch.

Pairs well with

You pick the arm under Tonearms, the cartridge under Cartridges, and the phono stage under Phono Preamps. Brushes, scales and care products are in Turntable Accessories and under Record Cleaning, more drive units are under Turntables.