Clearaudio Celebrity Al Di Meola Turntable, Black

The Clearaudio Celebrity "Al Di Meola" is a belt-drive turntable limited to 1,000 units, whose plinth is modelled on the shape of an electric guitar – this version in black.

It was created together with Grammy-winning jazz guitarist Al Di Meola and Impex Records. The result is less a piece of equipment than a complete work of art: tonearm, cartridge, a numbered special-edition album and a plectrum are included. You're allowed to look at it. You should use it.

Why the Celebrity?

Because underneath the eye-catching shape there's no showpiece, but Clearaudio technology from the top drawer. The 30 mm platter made of high-density polymer sits on a CNC-machined aluminium sub-platter, the polished, hardened steel spindle runs in a bronze bushing on a Teflon thrust pad. It's driven via a flat belt with Tacho-Speed-Control: a sensor measures the actual platter speed and continuously corrects for friction and temperature drift, self-calibrating on every start. The 12-volt DC motor hangs in the IMS light suspension, decoupled via O-rings – a principle from the Reference Jubilee. Everything is operated via the guitar's "volume knob", converted here into a multi-function control.

What you get

A ready-to-connect complete package: drive unit, a special version of the Profiler tonearm and the specially developed MM cartridge "Celebrity", factory-fitted. Plus a specially numbered special-release album by Al Di Meola on vinyl and a plectrum. The MDF plinth stands on a powder-coated steel base plate with height-adjustable feet – the guitar shape is for looks, the foundation beneath it is meant seriously.

Who is the Celebrity for?

For collectors and music lovers who want a piece that plays and deserves to be displayed – and for guitarists who already know, just looking at it, that they're lost. Plain talk: if you're after an unassuming turntable for the sideboard, this isn't it; the Celebrity wants to be seen and, at around 46 centimetres wide, needs the space for it too. And if you'd rather choose your own arm and cartridge, a pure drive unit like the concept Signature is the better choice. With 1,000 units worldwide, it's also better to decide sooner rather than later.

Our verdict

A turntable that tells a story without cutting technical corners: regulated speed, decoupled motor, clean bearing – the guitar shape comes on top, not instead. That's exactly why it also works as a piece of equipment and not just as décor. Whether it suits your room, your furniture and your phono stage is something we're happy to work through calmly with you at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil – doubly worthwhile for a limited piece.

Technical specifications

• Type: belt-drive turntable, ready to connect, limited to 1,000 numbered units
• Plinth: medium-density fibreboard (MDF) in electric-guitar shape, black
• Base plate: powder-coated steel with height-adjustable feet
• Drive: flat belt
• Motor: decoupled, extremely quiet-running 12 V DC motor
• Motor suspension: IMS light – decoupling via O-rings
• Speed control: Tacho-Speed-Control (TSC), automatically compensates for friction and temperature, self-calibrates on every start
• Speeds: 33 1/3 and 45 rpm (no 78 rpm operation)
• Wow and flutter: less than ± 0.05 %
• Platter: 30 mm, high-density polymer, on a CNC-machined aluminium sub-platter
• Bearing: polished, hardened steel spindle in a bronze bushing on a Teflon thrust pad
• Control: multi-function control in the shape of the guitar's volume knob
• Tonearm: special version of the Clearaudio Profiler, factory-fitted
• Cartridge: Clearaudio Celebrity (MM), developed specially for this edition, factory-fitted
• Power supply: external plug-in power supply with adapters, usable worldwide
• Power consumption: max. 2.75 W, 1.04 W in operation, 0.5 W standby
• Dimensions (W × H × D): approx. 460 × 140 × 360 mm (with tonearm)
• Weight: approx. 10 kg (incl. tonearm and cartridge)
• Finish: Black
• Model no.: TT070/B
• Warranty: 2 years (registration required)
• Included: Celebrity with special Profiler tonearm and Celebrity MM cartridge fitted, numbered special-release album on vinyl, plectrum, external power supply with adapters

Frequently asked questions

Is the Clearaudio Celebrity ready to connect?

Yes. The special Profiler tonearm and the Celebrity MM cartridge are fitted and aligned at the factory. You set the turntable down, level it using the height-adjustable feet and connect it to an MM phono input or a phono stage. Then the first record plays.

How many units are there?

1,000 worldwide, each numbered. The package includes a specially numbered special-release album by Al Di Meola on vinyl and a plectrum. That makes the Celebrity as much a playback device as a collector's item – and with a fixed number of units, deciding early pays off.

Which speeds does the Celebrity play?

33 1/3 and 45 revolutions per minute, chosen via the multi-function control in the shape of the guitar knob. The Tacho-Speed-Control measures the actual platter speed and continuously corrects it; the drive unit calibrates itself on start-up. 78 rpm for shellac records isn't provided.

How much space does the Celebrity need?

With the tonearm, around 460 millimetres wide, 360 millimetres deep and 140 millimetres high, plus some reserve at the back for the cable and power supply. It weighs about 10 kilograms complete, so a stable piece of furniture is enough. The height-adjustable feet compensate for small unevenness.

What finishes is the Celebrity available in?

In black and in a wood-look finish with genuine rosewood veneer. Both are built on the same MDF plinth, and the drive, bearing, platter, tonearm and cartridge are identical. The difference is purely visual – sonically the two give away nothing to each other.

Why buy the Clearaudio Celebrity at HD Zürisee?

Because a limited collector's item deserves proper support. We clarify availability and number, set up the Celebrity in Wädenswil, advise you on the right phono stage 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

The right phono stage is under Phono Preamps – Clearaudio itself is represented there with the nano phono V2 and smart phono V2. To keep the special pressing clean, Record Cleaning helps, scales and alignment aids are in Turntable Accessories. More models are under Turntables, and everything to do with vinyl is gathered under All About Vinyl.