Clearaudio Double Matrix Professional Sonic, Black

The Clearaudio Double Matrix Professional Sonic is a high-end record cleaning machine that wet-cleans both sides of a record at once and additionally loosens dirt from the groove using sonic vibration.

This version is the black one. Underneath sits the workhorse of the range: liquid application at the push of a button, a suction turbine with overheating protection, an integrated anti-static brush unit, an LED fluid-level indicator and a solid aluminium housing weighing in at around 16 kilograms.

Why the Double Matrix Professional Sonic?

Because it needs the least time per record. Smaller machines wash one side, then you flip the record — the Double Matrix handles both sides in a single pass. The sonic option additionally sets the cleaning fluid vibrating, loosening deposits that brushing alone can't shift. The whole process starts at the push of a button; if you prefer, you can control every step individually.

What you get

A machine for people washing stacks, not single records. After a pass, the record is dry, discharged of static and audibly quieter in the background; details previously buried under grime come back. And contrary to what you'd expect from a professional machine, it's remarkably civilised in operation — clearaudio explicitly describes it as running near-silently.

Who is the Double Matrix Professional Sonic for?

For heavy users, dealers, archives and anyone systematically working through a large collection. To be blunt: for twenty records a year, this is far too much machine — a Smart Matrix Silent easily suffices. Its footprint is also a statement — 41 centimetres wide and 16 kilos need a firm, stable spot, not a wobbly side table.

Our verdict

The benchmark when vinyl really needs to get clean — and more pleasant to operate than the term "professional machine" suggests. hifitest concluded: "The third generation of Clearaudio's top record cleaning machine is quieter, more capable and more comfortable than its predecessors, and currently represents certainly the most uncompromising way to get your records clean" (hifitest 4/2015). At HD Zürisee in Wädenswil, we'll help you work out whether you really need this class of machine.

Technical data

• Type: record cleaning machine, two-sided wet cleaning in a single wash cycle
• Sonic function: vibration for gentle deep cleaning, switchable
• Turntable: clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation
• Suction: suction turbine with overheating protection
• Anti-static: integrated anti-static brush unit to discharge static build-up
• Operation: automatic cleaning cycle at the push of a button, individual steps optionally manual
• Display: LED fluid-level indicator for the cleaning liquid
• Noise level: near-silent according to clearaudio (no dB figure published)
• Record formats: LPs and EPs, single adapter included
• Reservoirs: approx. 0.4 l cleaning fluid, approx. 0.5 l collection tank
• Max. power draw: approx. 450 W (0.0 W when switched off)
• Housing: aluminium, black finish
• Dimensions (W × D × H): approx. 410 × 385 × 276 mm with record clamp, approx. 410 × 385 × 290 mm with cover
• Weight: approx. 16 kg
• Cover: available as an option, not included
• Warranty: 3 years with timely registration
• Included: fully assembled machine, record clamp, single adapter, filling funnel, IEC power cable, 6 spare microfibre strips, 250 ml Pure Groove fluid, sealing cap for the fluid reservoir, tube plug, warranty and quality-control card

Frequently asked questions

How loud is the Double Matrix Professional Sonic really?

Quieter than the term "professional machine" suggests. clearaudio describes operation as near-silent without giving a decibel figure. In 2015, hifitest found the machine had become noticeably quieter and could comfortably be used at any time of day or night; mainly flow noise is audible.

Are both sides of the record cleaned at the same time?

Yes — that's the core of the Double Matrix principle: application, brushing and suction run on both sides simultaneously, with no flipping required. On single-sided machines like the Smart Matrix Silent, the effort per record doubles accordingly.

What does the sonic function actually do?

It sets the cleaning fluid into fine vibration. This loosens deposits deep in the groove that brushing alone can't reach — especially useful for flea-market finds. The function is switchable; for lightly soiled records you won't need it.

Is a cover included?

No — on this machine, the cover is optional accessory and must be ordered separately. With the cover, the unit measures around 410 × 385 × 290 millimetres; without it, with the record clamp fitted, around 410 × 385 × 276 millimetres. We'll tell you which cover fits.

How long can I wash continuously?

The suction turbine has overheating protection, so it's built for longer sessions. clearaudio doesn't specify a maximum number of records; in practice, the reservoirs — around 0.4 litres of cleaning fluid and around 0.5 litres of collection capacity — set the rhythm.

Why buy the Clearaudio Double Matrix Professional Sonic from HD Zürisee?

Because we work with record cleaning machines instead of just writing about them, and we'll tell you when this class makes sense and when a size down is enough. Setup, fluids and service all come from one source. Call us: +41 44 680 22 00, WhatsApp 076 534 22 00 (text only, no calls), shop@hdzuerisee.ch.

Goes well with

For everyday use: record cleaning fluids and spare microfibre covers. And because clean records make the rest of the chain audible: turntables, cartridges and tonearms.