Clearaudio Ovation Turntable, Black / Black

The Clearaudio Ovation is a belt-driven turntable that combines a resonance-optimised Panzerholz sandwich chassis, a decoupled 24-volt DC motor and a magnetically-borne 40 mm platter.

This version is finished entirely in black – metal elements and plinth in the same colour. The most understated of the four finishes: it disappears into the rack and leaves the stage to the record. Tonearm and cartridge are chosen separately.

Why the Ovation?

Panzerholz in sandwich construction, embedded between two aluminium plates – that's not a design slogan but the reason the chassis absorbs vibrations instead of feeding them back to the stylus. Drive comes via a ground flat belt from a high-torque 24 V DC motor sitting decoupled in the chassis. Optical Speed Control measures speed in real time via infrared sensor and holds it at ± 0.03 percent.

What you get

A turntable that hides its quality in the detail. The bearing is inverted: a ground ceramic shaft in a sintered-bronze bushing, plus the patented ceramic magnetic bearing CMB, which takes most of the platter's weight off it. On top sit 40 millimetres of high-density plastic on an aluminium sub-platter. Speeds: 33 1/3, 45 and 78 rpm.

Who is the Ovation for?

For anyone building their analogue chain step by step and not wanting to skimp on the foundation. Straight talk: if you want something you can unbox, set up and start using, a pre-fitted complete player is the better choice. The Ovation is an invitation to combine – and you either welcome that or you don't.

Our verdict

Calm, heavy, precise: 13.5 kilos, three speeds, five years of manufacturer warranty after registration. Anyone serious about vinyl finds here a foundation that will still handle the cartridge after next. We at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil plan the matching chain with you – by phone, email or WhatsApp, whichever suits you.

Technical data

• Type: belt-driven turntable (without tonearm and cartridge)
• Chassis: Panzerholz in sandwich construction, embedded between two aluminium plates, resonance-optimised
• Finish: metal elements black / plinth black
• Motor: high-torque 24 V DC motor, made exclusively for Clearaudio, decoupled in the chassis
• Speed control: Optical Speed Control (OSC) in real time via infrared sensor
• Drive: ground flat belt
• Speeds: 33 1/3, 45 and 78 rpm
• Wow and flutter: ± 0.03 %
• Bearing: inverted, ground and polished ceramic shaft in sintered-bronze bushing, patented ceramic magnetic bearing (CMB)
• Platter: 40 mm, high-density plastic, CNC-precision-milled surface, with aluminium sub-platter
• Power consumption: max. 8.6 W (operating 2.5 W, standby 2.5 W, off 0.0 W)
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 420 × 135 × 350 mm (without tonearm)
• Weight: approx. 13.5 kg
• Recommended tonearms: Clarify, Tracer, TT5 (incl. swing base)
• Matching dust cover: AC024 (optional)
• Model no.: TT034
• Manufacturer warranty: 5 years (after registration)
• Scope of delivery: turntable chassis, platter with aluminium sub-platter, upper bearing housing, flat belt, bearing oil, small parts plus quality and warranty card (tonearm and cartridge separate)

Frequently asked questions

Does the Ovation come with tonearm and cartridge?

No. Supplied are the chassis, platter with aluminium sub-platter, upper bearing housing, flat belt, bearing oil and small parts. You choose arm and cartridge separately – we'll help you and tune the combination to your records and your system.

Can the Ovation also play shellac records?

Yes. Besides 33 1/3 and 45, the Ovation also provides 78 rpm. Speed is regulated electronically in real time via Optical Speed Control and infrared sensor; Clearaudio states ± 0.03 percent wow and flutter. For shellac you'll additionally need a matching stylus.

Is the platter made of metal?

No. The 40 millimetre thick platter is made of high-density, CNC-precision-milled plastic; only the sub-platter underneath is aluminium. This damps better than metal. Underneath works the patented ceramic magnetic bearing CMB with a ceramic shaft in a sintered-bronze bushing.

How does this finish differ from the others?

Only visually. In this version, metal elements and plinth are black. The first colour in the name always denotes the metal parts, the second the plinth. Overall there's silver or black, each on natural wood or on black – technically all four are identical.

Why buy the Clearaudio Ovation from HD Zürisee?

Because we've been building analogue chains for many years and know which combinations bring lasting enjoyment. We advise you on arm, cartridge, phono stage and setup, deliver and set up on site. Call or write to us, even for a second opinion.

Goes well with

You'll find the matching cartridge under Cartridges, equalisation under Phono preamps. Dust cover, bubble level and alignment aids are in Turntable Accessories, everything against dust in the groove under Record Cleaning. More models are found under Turntables, the full analogue range under All Vinyl.