Clearaudio Satisfy Kardan Tonearm, Black

The Clearaudio Satisfy Kardan is a gimbal-mounted 9-inch radial tonearm with an aluminum arm tube and contactless magnetic anti-skating – this version in black.

Gimbal-mounted means, in concrete terms: the vertical axis, made of polished tungsten, runs in sapphire bearings of the kind used in Swiss watchmaking, while ceramic bearings handle the horizontal movement. No play, no friction standing in the arm's way. The signal then runs continuously through the same conductor to the connector – Clearaudio calls this Direct Wire PLUS, and it saves you exactly the connection point other arms carry along.

Why the Satisfy Kardan?

Because it brings technology from noticeably more elaborate Clearaudio arms without dressing it up in operating folklore. The anti-skating works magnetically, and thus without contact – nothing that wears loose over the years, no thread, no little weight on a nylon string. The aluminum arm tube is stiff and low in resonance, the adjustment range covers cartridges from 2.5 to 17 grams, and the cable comes ready-terminated from the factory. Mount it, adjust it, drop the needle. No more ceremony needed.

What you get

A ready-to-mount radial arm with 239.12 millimeters effective length and a 222-millimeter mounting distance – the Clearaudio standard geometry that all of the brand's own turntables are designed around. Tracking force, azimuth and height can all be finely adjusted. Anyone willing to take this trouble gets stable imaging and calm tracking behavior back, even when the groove gets loud.

Who is the Satisfy Kardan for?

For anyone who wants to treat their Clearaudio turntable, or a suitable third-party one, to a grown-up, low-maintenance arm, and doesn't plan on tightening something every six months. Plain talk: the connection is fixed with RCA termination – if you absolutely need balanced output into your phono stage, you need a different solution. And if you're after the lighter carbon arm tube, look at the Signature version. For the aluminum classic, you're exactly right here.

Our verdict

A thoroughly solid workhorse tonearm with more substance than its place in the model lineup suggests: sapphire and ceramic bearings, magnetic anti-skating, continuous direct wiring, ready from the factory. Whether it fits your turntable and cartridge, and what mounting means for your setup specifically, we'll sort out calmly with you at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil – a call is enough.

Technical data

• Type: radial tonearm, gimbal bearing, 9 inch
• Bearings: vertical tungsten axis in sapphire bearings, horizontal ceramic bearings
• Arm tube: aluminum, black
• Anti-skating: magnetic, contactless
• Effective length: 239.12 mm
• Overall length: 305 mm
• Mounting distance: 222 mm (pivot to spindle)
• Overhang: 17.12 mm
• Offset angle: 24.02°
• Adjustable cartridge range: 2.5 g – 17.0 g
• Cabling: clearaudio Direct Wire PLUS, 1.1 m, continuous
• Connector: MPC-RCA, factory-terminated
• Weight: approx. 490 g (incl. counterweight)
• Model no.: TA045
• Manufacturer's warranty: 2 years from registration
• Included: tonearm with factory-terminated Direct Wire PLUS cable (1.1 m, MPC-RCA) incl. counterweight

Frequently asked questions

Which cable and connector are fitted at the factory?

A continuous clearaudio Direct Wire PLUS, 1.1 meters long, terminated with MPC-RCA connectors. The signal runs from the cartridge to the phono stage with no intermediate connector. Clearaudio does not list a factory-balanced XLR version for the Satisfy Kardan. If you need XLR, we'll go over the options with you beforehand.

Does the Satisfy Kardan fit my turntable?

What matters is the 222-millimeter mounting distance between the tonearm pivot and the platter spindle. Clearaudio turntables are designed for this; suitable armboards exist for many third-party turntables too. Tell us the make and model of your turntable – we'll tell you honestly before you order whether it fits or what else is needed for it to.

Which cartridges fit the Satisfy Kardan?

Systems with a self-weight of 2.5 to 17 grams can be cleanly balanced with the counterweight – that covers virtually all common MM and MC cartridges. Clearaudio doesn't state the effective mass. With very compliant systems, we'd rather check the combination together than guess.

What sets it apart from the Satisfy Kardan Signature?

The arm tube. The Satisfy Kardan carries an aluminum tube, the Signature version a carbon tube, making it about ten grams lighter. Geometry, sapphire and ceramic bearings, magnetic anti-skating and the Direct Wire PLUS cabling are identical on both. The difference lies in the tube's resonance behavior.

Why buy the Satisfy Kardan from HD Zürisee?

Because mounting and setting up a tonearm is craft, and we've been practicing this craft for decades. We'll set tracking force, VTA and azimuth for you fully on request, and as an authorized Clearaudio dealer we give you honest advice on the combination of turntable and system. Reach us at +41 44 680 22 00 or shop@hdzuerisee.ch.

Goes well with

More arms are under tonearms, the matching system under cartridges. Also turntables, phono preamps and small parts in turntable accessories.