Clearaudio Performance DC Turntable, Rose Gold / Black

The Clearaudio Performance DC is a belt-driven turntable with a decoupled 12-volt DC motor, an inverted ceramic magnetic bearing and a 40 mm thick POM platter – this version with aluminium plates in rose gold on a black plinth.

The turntable is supplied on its own: no tonearm, no cartridge. Rose gold on black is the most striking combination in the range – and, of all things, it sits on the most sober foundation Clearaudio builds in this class.

Why the Performance DC?

Because the drive is consistently kept away from the music. The 12-volt DC motor sits decoupled and works via a ground flat belt onto the aluminium sub-platter, so its vibrations barely find a path into the plinth. Underneath, an inverted bearing turns on a ground, polished ceramic shaft in a sintered-bronze bushing, its load carried by the patented CMB magnetic bearing. The 40 mm thick POM platter keeps speed accurate to 0.05 percent – measured, not claimed.

What you get

A turntable whose top and bottom plates come in rose gold and sit on a black plinth – the contrast that really makes the warm metal tone stand out. Included are the drive unit with motor, platter, aluminium sub-platter, upper bearing housing, flat belt, plug-in power supply, bearing oil, ground cable and hex key. The armboard is an interchangeable mount and fits almost any common 9-inch arm.

Who is the Performance DC for?

For anyone who wants to treat their turntable as a showpiece without the engineering suffering for it – and who wants to choose arm, cartridge and phono stage themselves. Straight talk: if you want to unbox the player and listen to music tonight, you'll have an easier time with the factory-set-up Clearaudio Concept. The Performance DC rewards patience, not haste.

Our verdict

Rose gold on black is the rare case where a colour option actually makes a difference – next to champagne-coloured electronics, this turntable looks as if it had been ordered to match. Technically, everything stays proven, including 78 rpm for shellac. Hans von Draminski wrote in his review of the rose gold version: "Sonically it needn't hide behind top-class components either." – FIDELITY No. 41, 2019. Which arm/cartridge combination fits, we're happy to work out with you at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil.

Technical data

• Type: turntable, belt drive – without tonearm and cartridge
• Motor: decoupled, smooth-running 12 V DC motor
• Drive: ground flat belt on aluminium sub-platter
• Bearing: inverted, ground and polished ceramic bearing shaft, sintered-bronze running bushing, patented magnetic bearing (CMB)
• Platter: 40 mm solid, black POM, with aluminium sub-platter
• Speeds: 33 1/3, 45 and 78 rpm, switchable by button
• Wow and flutter: 0.05 %
• Fine speed adjustment: three trimmers on the rear next to the power connector (left 78, centre 45, right 33 1/3) – use a plastic or ceramic screwdriver only
• Plinth construction: resonance-optimised, high-density wood chassis in sandwich construction between two aluminium plates
• Finish: aluminium plates rose gold / plinth black
• Arm mount: interchangeable mount for almost all common 9-inch tonearms
• Tonearms from the Clearaudio range: Clarify (named in the manual), Tracer, tangential arm TT5
• Power supply: plug-in power supply, switchable for worldwide use; optional upgrade Clearaudio Professional Power 12V or smart power 12V
• Power consumption: max. 3.3 W, operating 1.6 W, off 0.0 W
• Matching dust cover: AC104 (radial tonearm) / AC104/TT5 (with TT5)
• Dimensions (W × H × D): approx. 420 × 125 × 330 mm (without tonearm)
• Weight: approx. 11.0 kg
• Warranty: 5 years with registration within 14 days
• Scope of delivery: drive unit with motor, platter, aluminium sub-platter, upper bearing housing, flat belt, plug-in power supply, bearing oil, various hex keys, ground cable, quality and warranty card – tonearm and cartridge not included

Frequently asked questions

Does this version include tonearm and cartridge?

No. The Performance DC leaves the factory as a pure turntable; tonearm and cartridge are added separately. Clearaudio also offers the model as a pre-assembled complete package. On this page you get the base and choose arm and cartridge freely – we'll put the combination together with you.

Does "rose gold" refer to the plinth or the metal plates?

To the metal plates. The first colour given always names the aluminium top and bottom plates, the second the chassis in between. Here the plates are in rose gold, the plinth is black. It's made of high-density wood and sits in sandwich construction between the plates, where it damps resonances.

How big and how heavy is the turntable?

Without tonearm, the Performance DC measures around 420 mm in width, 125 mm in height and 330 mm in depth, and weighs about 11 kilograms. Allow some extra depth for the tonearm and place the turntable on a stable, level surface.

Is a better power supply worth it?

It's not necessary. The supplied plug-in power supply reliably powers the 12-volt DC motor and is switchable for worldwide use. If you later want more calm in the drive, you can move up to the Clearaudio Professional Power 12V or the smart power 12V – both are designed for the Performance series.

Why buy the Performance DC from HD Zürisee?

Because with a turntable without an arm, the combination decides the result. We know the Clearaudio arms and matching cartridges from years of practice, mount and align to the millimetre, and later take care of stylus replacement and service. Get in touch on +41 44 680 22 00, WhatsApp 076 534 22 00 (text only, no calls) or shop@hdzuerisee.ch.

Goes well with

Matching arms are under Tonearms, cartridges under Cartridges and equalisation under Phono preamps. Everything around the record itself is gathered under All Vinyl, small parts in Turntable Accessories.