Clearaudio Performance DC Turntable, Silver / Wood

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 solid-wood plinth.

Tonearm and cartridge aren't included, they're your decision. That's the difference between a device you buy and one you build up over years.

Why the Performance DC?

Because here the plinth doesn't just look good, it works: a high-density wood chassis sits in sandwich construction between two aluminium plates and swallows resonance before it reaches the cartridge. Added to that is the decoupled 12-volt DC motor with a ground flat belt and an inverted bearing whose ground and polished ceramic spindle runs in a sintered-bronze bushing and is relieved by the patented CMB magnetic bearing. The result: 0.05 percent wow and flutter.

What you get

The solid-wood version with silver metal plates – visible grain instead of a lacquered surface, which makes this drive unit look noticeably warmer in living spaces than the all-aluminium finishes. The box contains the drive unit body with motor, platter, aluminium sub-platter, bearing top part, flat belt, plug-in power supply, bearing oil, grounding cable and the necessary hex keys. The tonearm mount is designed as an interchangeable base and fits almost any 9-inch arm.

Who is the Performance DC for?

For anyone who doesn't see technology and furniture as opposites and still wants free choice of arm. Plain talk: if you want to get started right away without thinking about tracking force and anti-skating, you're better off reaching for the factory-aligned Clearaudio Concept. Here, configuration is part of the concept – but we take care of the setup for you.

Our verdict

A drive unit you set up because it sounds good – and leave in place because it looks good. With 33, 45 and 78 rpm it also covers shellac. Hans von Draminski noted in his review: “Sonically, it doesn't need to hide behind top-class components either.” – FIDELITY No. 41, 2019 (test unit: rose gold finish with Tracer tonearm). Which arm suits the cartridge you want, we'll quickly work out with you at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil.

Technical specifications

• Type: turntable drive unit, belt drive – without tonearm and cartridge
• Motor: decoupled, smooth-running 12 V DC motor
• Drive: ground flat belt onto aluminium sub-platter
• Bearing: inverted, ground and polished ceramic bearing spindle, 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 via button
• Wow and flutter: 0.05 %
• Fine speed adjustment: three trimmers on the rear next to the mains connector (left 78, centre 45, right 33 1/3) – use only a plastic or ceramic screwdriver
• Plinth construction: resonance-optimised, high-density wood chassis in sandwich construction between two aluminium plates
• Finish: Silver aluminium plates / Solid wood plinth
• Tonearm mount: interchangeable mount for almost all commercially available 9-inch tonearms
• Tonearms from the Clearaudio range: Clarify (named in the manual), Tracer, tangential TT5 tonearm
• Power supply: plug-in power supply, switchable for worldwide use; 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.: TT046/S/Wood
• Warranty: 5 years if registered within 14 days
• Included: drive unit body with motor, platter, aluminium sub-platter, bearing top part, flat belt, plug-in power supply, bearing oil, various hex keys, grounding cable, 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 plate, the second the plinth in between. Here the metal plates are silver, and the plinth is made of solid wood with visible grain. The high-density wood chassis sits in sandwich construction between the aluminium plates, where it damps resonance.

What speeds does the Performance DC manage?

33 1/3, 45 and 78 revolutions per minute, switchable via a button. Shellac records play without an extra platter or belt change, you just need a suitable 78 rpm stylus. All three speeds can be fine-tuned via three trimmers on the rear, wow and flutter sits at 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 can be switched for worldwide use. 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 for the Performance series.

Why buy the Performance DC at HD Zürisee?

Because wood and technology have to fit together – and arm, cartridge and phono stage even more so. We put together the matching combination, mount and align it cleanly and deliver right to your home if you like. Reach us on +41 44 680 22 00, via WhatsApp 076 534 22 00 (text only, no calls) or shop@hdzuerisee.ch.

Pairs well with

You'll find arms under Tonearms, cartridges under Cartridges, and the phono stage under Phono Preamps. Care products and small parts are available under Record Cleaning and in Turntable Accessories.