Clearaudio Professional Power 12V Power Supply, Black

The Clearaudio Professional Power 12V is a transformer-based linear power supply that replaces the standard plug-in power supply of a 12-volt Clearaudio turntable and feeds the drive motor with stabilised DC voltage.

Clearaudio builds it for turntables in the concept and Performance DC series. Inside is no switch-mode power supply, but a classic transformer with generous filtering, housed in a cylindrical black aluminium enclosure – the kind of component that never shines on a spec sheet and simply stays quiet in operation.

Why the Professional Power 12V?

A belt-drive turntable makes exactly one demand of its motor: turn evenly, without jitter. Any unrest in the supply voltage travels via belt and platter straight into the groove. The Professional Power stabilises the 12 volts, keeps mains-borne interference out, and delivers the current via a permanently attached DC cable. On the back sit a mains switch, an IEC inlet with fuse, and a grounding terminal – the latter is worth its weight in gold on the evening your system hums and nobody knows why.

What you get

A constant, cleanly filtered DC voltage instead of whatever a bundled plug-in supply happens to deliver. Clearaudio explicitly positions the Professional Power between the standard power supply and the battery-powered Smart Power solution. In practice that means more calm between the notes, a firmer bass region, finer resolution. Fine-tuning, in other words – not a volume knob.

Who is the Professional Power 12V for?

For you, if your turntable comes from the concept or Performance DC series and you want to calm the drive at its root. Straight talk: the voltage has to match exactly. Turntables in the Ovation and Innovation series run on 24 volts and need the 24V version – this unit doesn't belong there. And before you fine-tune the power, setup, levelling and tonearm alignment should already be right; a power supply won't straighten a wonky foundation. Anyone looking for complete mains isolation should look at the battery-based Smart Power 12V.

Our verdict

An unassuming device with an audible effect – one of those upgrades you won't want to give back after two weeks. If you've already upgraded the cartridge and phono stage on your concept or Performance DC, this is the next sensible step, without touching the turntable itself.

Technical data

• Type: transformer-based, stabilised linear power supply
• Output: 12 V DC, max. 500 mA, slow-blow fused
• Mains input: 110 V/60 Hz or 240 V/50 Hz depending on version, max. 200 mA (slow-blow)
• Rear connections: mains switch, IEC inlet with fuse, grounding terminal (GND), permanently attached DC output cable
• Compatible turntables: clearaudio concept and Performance DC series
• Housing: aluminium, black
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 73 × 76 × 145 mm
• Weight: approx. 813 g
• Manufacturer's warranty: 2 years

Frequently asked questions

Will the Professional Power 12V fit my Clearaudio turntable?

It's built for Clearaudio turntables in the concept and Performance DC series. To be safe, check the rating on your original power supply: it needs to say 12 V DC. Turntables in the Ovation and Innovation series need the 24-volt version. If you're unsure of your model, drop us a line – we'll check it for you.

Can I connect it to a 24-volt turntable?

No. The output voltage has to match the motor exactly. For the Ovation and Innovation series, Clearaudio makes the Professional Power 24V; this unit delivers 12 volts and belongs on concept and Performance DC turntables. A glance at the bundled plug-in supply's rating plate answers the question in ten seconds.

What's the difference to the Smart Power 12V?

The Professional Power is a linear power supply: it smooths and stabilises the current from the mains socket. The Smart Power runs on battery during operation and disconnects the turntable from the mains entirely. Clearaudio deliberately positions the Professional Power in between – between the standard plug-in supply and the battery solution.

Does the power supply have to stay switched on all the time?

No. There's a mains switch on the back that fully disconnects the unit from the mains. Switch it on for your listening session; a few minutes of warm-up before the first track is, in our experience, not a bad idea. Overnight it can happily stay off.

Why buy the Clearaudio Professional Power 12V at HD Zürisee?

Because with this item the voltage has to be right, and we check beforehand which version your turntable actually needs, instead of leaving you to guess. HD Zürisee is an established specialist shop in Wädenswil with our own technician for setup and alignment. Call us: +41 44 680 22 00, WhatsApp 076 534 22 00 (text only, no calls) or shop@hdzuerisee.ch.

Goes well with

Find the matching turntable under turntables, more around the deck under turntable accessories. And if you want to keep going on the power topic, browse mains filters & power conditioning.