Clearaudio Performance DC Turntable, Silver / Silver

The Clearaudio Performance DC is a belt-drive turntable unit with a decoupled 12-volt DC motor, inverted ceramic magnetic bearing and a 40 mm POM platter – this version with silver aluminium plates on a silver plinth.

Drive unit here is meant literally: tonearm and cartridge aren't included, you choose them freely yourself. That sounds like extra work, but it's the real appeal – a drive unit of this quality outlives several tonearm generations.

Why the Performance DC?

Because three things work together here to produce a calm run. The DC motor sits decoupled and drives via a ground flat belt instead of sending its vibrations into the plinth. The inverted bearing runs on a polished ceramic spindle in a sintered-bronze bushing, relieved by the patented CMB magnetic bearing. And the 40 mm POM platter brings the mass that stops speed fluctuations from arising in the first place – 0.05 percent wow and flutter.

What you get

A complete drive unit in silver on silver – the most understated finish in the line-up, which simply doesn't stand out next to a system in brushed aluminium. Along with it come the platter, aluminium sub-platter, flat belt, power supply and mounting accessories. The interchangeable tonearm mount accepts almost any commercially available 9-inch tonearm; Clearaudio itself recommends the Satisfy Kardan Aluminium, the Tracer, or the tangential TT5 tonearm.

Who is the Performance DC for?

For anyone who sees their drive unit as a foundation and wants to choose arm, cartridge and phono stage themselves. Plain talk: if you're looking for a device that comes out of the box and runs immediately, the Clearaudio Concept is the better fit – there, arm and cartridge are mounted and aligned at the factory. The Performance DC wants to be configured, and that's exactly where its value lies.

Our verdict

A mature drive unit that adds nothing and takes nothing away – and thanks to a 78 rpm speed also handles shellac, which is rare in this class. The trade press sees it similarly: “Sonically, it doesn't need to hide behind top-class components either.” – FIDELITY No. 41, 2019. Which tonearm suits the cartridge you want, we'll work out in a short conversation at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil.

Technical specifications

• Type: turntable drive unit, belt drive – without tonearm and cartridge
• Motor: decoupled 12 V DC motor, electronically regulated
• Drive: ground flat belt onto aluminium sub-platter
• Bearing: inverted, ground and polished ceramic spindle, sintered-bronze running bushing, patented magnetic bearing (CMB)
• Platter: 40 mm solid POM, with aluminium sub-platter
• Speeds: 33 1/3, 45 and 78 rpm, electronically switchable via button
• Wow and flutter: 0.05 %
• Fine speed adjustment: three trimmers on the rear
• Plinth construction: resonance-optimised, high-density wood chassis in sandwich construction between two aluminium plates
• Finish: Silver aluminium plates / Silver plinth
• Tonearm mount: interchangeable mount for almost all commercially available 9-inch tonearms
• Recommended tonearms: Satisfy Kardan Aluminium, Tracer, TT5 (incl. swing base)
• Power supply: plug-in power supply for worldwide use on all mains voltages and frequencies; optional upgrade to 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
• Model no.: TT040/S
• Warranty: 5 years if registered within 14 days
• Included: drive unit body with motor, bearing top part, aluminium sub-platter, platter, flat belt, plug-in power supply, bearing oil, hex keys, grounding cable, gloves, quality and warranty card – tonearm and cartridge not included

Frequently asked questions

Does the Performance DC come with a tonearm and cartridge?

No. This page shows the bare drive unit. Clearaudio also offers the Performance DC as a complete package with a pre-mounted tonearm and cartridge – here you get the base and choose arm and cartridge freely. The interchangeable mount accepts almost any commercially available 9-inch tonearm.

What do the two colour names in the title mean?

The first names the aluminium top and bottom plates, the second the plinth in between. On this version the metal plates are silver and the plinth is silver as well. The plinth itself is a high-density wood chassis that sits in sandwich construction between the aluminium plates and damps resonance.

What speeds does the Performance DC manage?

33 1/3, 45 and 78 revolutions per minute, electronically switchable via a button. So shellac records play without an extra platter or belt change, you just need a suitable 78 rpm stylus. Fine adjustment of all three speeds is done via trimmers on the rear, and wow and flutter is 0.05 percent.

Does the Performance DC need a better power supply?

That's not necessary. The included plug-in power supply reliably powers the 12-volt DC motor and works worldwide on all mains voltages. Anyone looking for more quiet in the drive later on can switch to the Clearaudio Professional Power 12V or the smart power 12V – both are designed exactly for the Performance DC series.

Why buy the Performance DC at HD Zürisee?

Because a drive unit without an arm only becomes a turntable through the right combination. We match tonearm, cartridge and phono stage to your setup, mount and align it cleanly and remain your specialist contact afterwards. Call us on +41 44 680 22 00, message us on WhatsApp 076 534 22 00 (text only, no calls) or write to shop@hdzuerisee.ch.

Pairs well with

You'll find the arm under Tonearms, the matching cartridge under Cartridges, and the phono stage under Phono Preamps. Tracking-force weights and care products are in Turntable Accessories, more drive units are under Turntables.