Clearaudio Innovation Compact Turntable

The Clearaudio Innovation Compact is a turntable that brings the 70 mm platter and Optical Speed Control of the Innovation series to a significantly smaller footprint.

It too arrives without tonearm and cartridge – but with around twelve kilograms of Panzerholz-aluminium sandwich, patented magnetic bearing and room for two arms. Compact here doesn't mean stripped down, but more densely packed.

Why the Innovation Compact?

Because the leap to a 70 mm platter starts exactly where analogue playback is sensitive: flywheel mass. The solid platter of engineering plastics is dynamically balanced and, thanks to clearaudio's patented magnetic bearing, floats almost friction-free above the inverted ceramic bearing shaft. It's driven via belt by a high-torque 24-volt DC motor, an optical sensor holds the speed electronically. The triangular, resonance-optimised chassis deliberately saves surface area – less housing surface means less area for resonances to attack.

What you get

A turntable with 70 mm platter, magnetic bearing and optical control that, at 460 × 157 × 485 millimetres, fits on any reasonably sized rack shelf. The feet are height-adjustable, the armboard takes up to two arms. In terms of finishes you combine black piano lacquer or acrylic, or laminated wood, with black or silver aluminium parts. The three speeds 33⅓, 45 and 78 rpm are on buttons, the belt stays exactly where it belongs. We'll put together arm and cartridge with you.

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

For anyone wanting high-end running culture without rearranging half the living room. Two tonearms on this footprint is a rare combination. Straight talk: if you're after the very last tenth of wow and flutter, reach for the big Innovation – its stainless-steel sub-platter pushes rated wow and flutter from under ± 0.08 % down to under ± 0.05 %. Honestly: this difference only becomes relevant once arm, cartridge and room actually let it through.

Our verdict

For many, the Compact is the most sensible point in the range: enough mass, the full control technology, the two-arm option – and still a turntable two people can comfortably place. That keeps the focus where analogue playback is really decided, namely at the arm and cartridge. Which combination works for you we'll clarify calmly at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil – including the question of whether your rack can even handle the decoupling.

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: < ± 0.08 % (rated)
• Deviation from target value: ± 0.01 %
• Bearing: inverted, ground and polished ceramic bearing shaft, sintered-bronze running bushing, patented clearaudio magnetic bearing technology (CMB)
• Platter: 70 mm solid platter of engineering plastics (POM), dynamically balanced
• Chassis: resonance-optimised, triangular 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
• Finishes: black piano lacquer/acrylic or laminated wood, combined with aluminium in black or silver; special lacquers on request
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 460 × 157 × 485 mm (with armboard, without tonearm)
• Weight: approx. 12 kg (without tonearm and power supply)
• Warranty: 5 years with registration within 14 days
• Model no.: TT030 / TT029
• Scope of delivery: Innovation Compact turntable with platter and drive belt, power supply, instruction manual; tonearm and cartridge separate

Frequently asked questions

What does Optical Speed Control give the Innovation Compact?

An optical sensor continuously measures the platter speed, the electronics correct deviations immediately. Together with the flywheel mass of the 70 mm platter, that produces very stable pitch. clearaudio states rated wow and flutter of under ± 0.08 % and a deviation from the target value of ± 0.01 %.

Can I mount two tonearms on the Innovation Compact?

Yes, the armboard is designed for up to two arms. Handy if you want to keep mono and stereo separate or run two systems with different character side by side. We'll mount the arms, align the cartridges and match the loading values to your phono stage.

How much space do I need for the Innovation Compact?

The turntable measures 460 mm in width, 157 mm in height and 485 mm in depth, each with armboard and without tonearm. Allow a bit of extra room for the arm and cable routing. At around 12 kilograms, footprint is more of a hurdle than weight.

What distinguishes the Innovation Compact from the big Innovation?

The Innovation adds a 15 mm stainless-steel sub-platter under the 70 mm platter, bringing it to 85 mm of combined platter and around 24 kilograms. Its rated wow and flutter is under ± 0.05 %, the Compact's under ± 0.08 %. Bearing, motor and control are the same for both.

Can the Innovation Compact's power supply be improved?

Yes. The turntable runs on an external 24-volt DC power supply, and clearaudio offers the more elaborately filtered Professional Power 24V for the Innovation and Ovation series. Whether the change makes itself felt in your chain, we'll honestly assess for you beforehand.

Why buy the Innovation Compact from HD Zürisee?

Because arm, cartridge and setup decide the result more than the turntable alone. We build up the combination, align it cleanly and stay reachable afterwards, by phone, WhatsApp or email. Just tell us about your room and your collection.

Goes well with

Arms for the first and second base are found under Tonearms, cartridges under Cartridges and the matching equalisation under Phono preamps. A calmer power supply and a stable HiFi rack bring out additional detail, brushes and accessories are found at Turntable Accessories. More turntables are found under Turntables.