Clearaudio Statement TT1 MI Tangential-Tonarm, Wood/Silver

The Clearaudio Statement TT1 MI is a patented Tangential-Tonarm for the Innovation and Master Innovation turntables – here with natural Panzerholz and silver aluminum parts, the lightest-toned of the four finishes.

The idea behind it is old and rarely implemented cleanly: a record is cut in a straight line, so it should also be tracked in a straight line. Clearaudio does this without an air bearing and without a motor – purely with precision mechanics.

Why the Statement TT1 MI?

Because the arm takes on the advantages of tangential tracking without buying into its classic disadvantages. Instead of a pump, dry-running ball bearings guide the carriage through a calibrated, polished glass tube; the drive remains purely mechanical and passive. The chassis combines Panzerholz, aluminum, stainless steel and glass, and a magnetic system holds the arm in the playback position. The combination of light natural wood and silver aluminum looks noticeably lighter than 8.2 kilograms of precision mechanics would suggest.

What you hear

Inner grooves that don't annoy. Exactly where pivoted tonearms are geometrically furthest off, the TT1 MI stays right on angle – voices stay clear, brass stays round. Plus a very quiet background, because during operation simply nothing runs that could make noise.

Who is the Statement TT1 MI for?

For owners of an Innovation or Master Innovation who set up their system light and homely, yet still want uncompromising tracking. Cartridges from 5.5 to 15.0 grams are adjustable. Plain talk: this arm is an endpoint, not an intermediate step. Anyone planning to change their turntable in two years anyway is better off investing there first – we'll tell you openly if that's the more sensible route.

Our verdict

Technically identical to the other finishes, visually the most understated: wood and silver make the TT1 MI look more like an instrument than a device. The real achievement remains the mechanics behind it – tangential, passive, low-maintenance. Which turntable you have underneath and which cartridge should go on top, we'll discuss calmly at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil.

Technical data

• Type: patented Tangential-Tonarm (linear tracking)
• Design principle: purely mechanical, passive drive via dry-running ball bearings in a calibrated, polished glass tube
• Bearings: ball bearings in the glass tube – no air bearing, no compressor, no motor
• Material: Panzerholz, aluminum, stainless steel, glass
• Finish: Panzerholz natural, aluminum parts silver
• Adjustable cartridges: 5.5 g – 15.0 g
• Suitable turntables: Clearaudio Innovation and Master Innovation
• Armboard mounting hole: on request
• Signal cable: 2 m Super Sixstream, terminated in RCA
• Dimensions (W × H × D): approx. 540 × 195 × 210 mm (width incl. lift)
• Weight: approx. 8.2 kg
• Manufacturer's warranty: 5 years

Frequently asked questions

How much space does the TT1 MI need next to the turntable?

Plan for around 540 millimeters of width including lift, about 210 millimeters of depth and 195 millimeters of height. So the arm isn't an add-on part but its own unit next to the turntable. It's best to plan the footprint on your rack in advance – we'll go through the dimensions with you.

Can I mount the TT1 MI myself?

We advise against it. Setup, alignment to the platter and fine adjustment require experience, time and measuring tools; a Tangential-Tonarm mounted crooked instantly cancels out its geometric advantage again. Mauri sets up and aligns the arm for you, so you end up getting exactly what you paid for.

Does the TT1 MI need a special phono stage?

No, what matters is the cartridge, not the arm. The TT1 MI comes wired from the factory with two meters of Super Sixstream and RCA connectors, passing the signal unchanged to your phono stage. Gain and loading depend on the cartridge – we're happy to help you choose.

Is wood/silver technically different from the dark finishes?

No, purely visually. Clearaudio lists the same data for all finishes: identical design principle, identical materials, identical adjustment range, identical dimensions and identical weight. You choose between Panzerholz natural and black, and aluminum in silver or black – sonically there's nothing between them.

Why buy the Statement TT1 MI from HD Zürisee?

Because we look at turntable, arm and cartridge as a whole instead of three order line items. We clarify beforehand what fits your Innovation, deliver, install and align – and stay reachable afterwards. Call us at +41 44 680 22 00, message us on WhatsApp at 076 534 22 00 (text only, no calls), or write to shop@hdzuerisee.ch.

Goes well with

Matching cartridges are under Cartridges, turntables under Turntables. More arms are found under Tonearms, the right phono stage under Phono Preamps.