Clearaudio Innovation Turntable

The Clearaudio Innovation is the reference turntable of the Innovation series, coupling a 70 mm platter with a 15 mm thick stainless-steel sub-platter into an 85 mm thick platter assembly.

Around 24 kilograms of Panzerholz, aluminium and stainless steel, a decoupled 24-volt motor, optical speed control and room for two tonearms. Here too the rule applies: you choose arm and cartridge yourself. The turntable is the foundation, not the finished opinion.

Why the Innovation?

Because mass and control work together here. The 85 mm platter assembly stores significantly more flywheel energy than its smaller siblings, the patented magnetic bearing keeps friction tiny regardless, and Optical Speed Control corrects continuously in real time via an infrared sensor. clearaudio states rated wow and flutter of under ± 0.05 % – a value people otherwise reach for direct drive to achieve. All of it is carried by a two-tier, resonance-optimised chassis of Panzerholz and aluminium on height-adjustable feet.

What you get

A turntable prepared for up to two tonearms that can later be upgraded to a Master Innovation – clearaudio publishes its own conversion guide for this. The drive hangs on an external 24-volt power supply that can be swapped for clearaudio's more elaborately filtered Professional Power 24V. Finishes combine Panzerholz and aluminium, special lacquers are available on request. Here too, 33⅓, 45 and 78 rpm are on buttons.

Who is the Innovation for – and who isn't it for?

For analogue listeners who want to set something down once and for good, yet keep an upgrade path in their back pocket. Straight talk: 24 kilograms on 460 × 485 millimetres need furniture that takes that seriously – a wobbly shelf undoes the fine bearing technology in one stroke. Anyone needing a more compact build is better served by the Innovation Compact, anyone wanting to grow into the series first by the Innovation Basic.

Our verdict

The Innovation is the point where this series shows its technology in full: flywheel mass, magnetic bearing and optical control mesh cleanly, and the path to the Master Innovation stays open. A turntable you set up properly once and then simply use for decades. Which arm and cartridge get the most out of it, we'll think through together at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil – and we'll tell you too if two arms would in your case be more gimmick than gain.

Technical data

• Type: belt-driven turntable, without tonearm and cartridge
• Drive: high-torque, decoupled 24 V DC motor, belt drive
• Speed control: Optical Speed Control (OSC), electronically controlled via optical sensor
• Speeds: 33⅓, 45 and 78 rpm, switchable by button
• Wow and flutter: < ± 0.05 % (rated)
• Bearing: inverted, ground and polished ceramic bearing shaft, sintered-bronze running bushing, patented clearaudio magnetic bearing technology (CMB)
• Platter: 70 mm platter of high-density engineering plastics on a 15 mm thick stainless-steel sub-platter, 85 mm combined, dynamically balanced
• Chassis: two-tier, resonance-optimised turntable geometry, sandwich construction of Panzerholz and aluminium, height-adjustable feet
• Tonearms: up to two tonearms can be mounted
• Power consumption: max. 9.3 W, operating 2.5 W, standby 2.5 W, off 0 W
• Power supply: external 24 V DC power supply, upgrade to Clearaudio Professional Power 24V possible
• Upgrade: conversion to Master Innovation available, clearaudio provides a dedicated guide
• Finishes: Panzerholz and aluminium, black or natural wood; special lacquers such as white on request (TT051/W)
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 460 × 220 × 485 mm (with armboard, without tonearm)
• Weight: approx. 24 kg (without tonearm and power supply)
• Warranty: 5 years with registration within 14 days
• Model no.: TT028 / TT027
• Scope of delivery: Innovation turntable with platter, sub-platter and drive belt, power supply, instruction manual; tonearm and cartridge separate

Frequently asked questions

What does the stainless-steel sub-platter give the Clearaudio Innovation?

It significantly increases flywheel mass. Under the 70 mm platter of engineering plastics sits a 15 mm thick, dynamically balanced stainless-steel sub-platter, 85 mm combined. This stabilises speed further alongside the optical control, and clearaudio states rated wow and flutter of under ± 0.05 %.

Can I later upgrade the Innovation to a Master Innovation?

Yes. clearaudio explicitly provides for this path and publishes its own guide for converting from Innovation to Master Innovation. Whether this step makes sense for you, or whether arm and cartridge should come first, we'll look at together.

How many tonearms can I mount on the Innovation?

Up to two. That lets you separate mono and stereo or run two systems with different character in parallel without constantly swapping. We'll mount both arms, align the cartridges and, on request, set the matching loading values on your phono stage right away.

How heavy is the Innovation and what does that mean for my furniture?

Around 24 kilograms without tonearm and power supply, at 460 mm wide, 220 mm tall and 485 mm deep. A stable, well-decoupled rack is therefore mandatory, not an accessory. Tell us what the turntable will stand on, and we'll look at the setup beforehand.

Is a better power supply worth it for the Innovation?

Often yes. The motor runs on an external 24-volt DC supply, and clearaudio offers the more elaborately filtered Professional Power 24V for the Innovation and Ovation series. Whether the difference really comes through in your chain, we'll honestly assess beforehand instead of promising something.

Why buy the Clearaudio Innovation from HD Zürisee?

Because a reference turntable without clean setup and precise alignment stays below its potential. We deliver, align and stay reachable afterwards, with a practised team that has accompanied analogue technology for decades. Get in touch with us by phone, WhatsApp or email.

Goes well with

The matching arms are found under Tonearms, the cartridges under Cartridges and the phono stages under Phono preamps. For power supply and setup, it's worth looking at Power supplies and HiFi Racks, for caring for your collection at Record Cleaning. The rest of the analogue world awaits under All Vinyl and at Turntables.