Clearaudio Satisfy Kardan Signature Tonearm, Black

The Clearaudio Satisfy Kardan Signature is a gimbal-bearing 9-inch radial tonearm with a carbon armtube, sapphire and ceramic bearings, plus contactless magnetic anti-skating – this version in black.

"Signature" on this arm doesn't mean more switches or more paperwork, but a different tube: carbon instead of aluminium, around ten grams lighter, with a more forgiving resonance behaviour. Everything else – geometry, bearings, anti-skating, wiring – it shares with its aluminium sibling. That's exactly the good news: you're not paying for decoration, but for the one component that carries the stylus.

Why the Satisfy Kardan Signature?

Because the armtube is the component the cartridge hangs from – and whatever character that tube brings of its own lands straight in the groove. Carbon damps differently than aluminium and is lighter at the same time. Add the mechanics Clearaudio also gives its larger arms: a polished tungsten shaft in sapphire bearings for the vertical axis, ceramic bearings for the horizontal, magnetic anti-skating without a thread or hanging weight, and a continuous direct wiring that spares the signal every connector between stylus and phono stage.

What you get

A fully wired arm with an effective length of 239.12 mm, an overhang of 17.12 mm and a 24.02-degree offset angle over a 222 mm spindle distance. Cartridges from 2.5 to 17 grams can be balanced, with tracking force, azimuth and height finely adjustable. Set up correctly, the imaging stays where it belongs even through large dynamic swings.

Who is the Satisfy Kardan Signature for?

For listeners who like tangible mechanics and want an arm you set up properly once and then leave alone. Straight talk: the premium over the aluminium version only pays off if the cartridge plays along – under a modest MC cartridge, the difference stays theoretical. And anyone wanting a balanced connection needs to rethink: Clearaudio terminates this arm at the factory with RCA plugs only; it doesn't offer an XLR version.

Our verdict

An arm for people who know why they want the lighter tube – and who appreciate the rest of the construction regardless: play-free gemstone bearings, maintenance-free anti-skating, an uninterrupted signal path. In black, the understated variant that almost disappears on dark plinths. Which cartridge suits it and what mounting looks like on your turntable is something we'll work through calmly with you at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil.

Technical data

• Type: radial tonearm, gimbal bearing, 9 inch
• Bearings: vertical polished tungsten shaft in sapphire bearings, horizontal ceramic bearings
• Armtube: carbon, 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 weight: 2.5 g – 17.0 g
• Wiring: clearaudio Direct Wire PLUS, 1.1 m, continuous
• Connector: MPC RCA, factory-terminated
• Weight: approx. 480 g (incl. counterweight)
• Model no.: TA045/B
• Manufacturer's warranty: 2 years from registration
• What's included: tonearm with factory-terminated Direct Wire PLUS cable (1.1 m, MPC RCA) incl. counterweight

Frequently asked questions

What sets the Signature version apart from the Satisfy Kardan?

The armtube. The Signature version carries a carbon tube, the standard Satisfy Kardan an aluminium one; accordingly it weighs around 480 rather than 490 grams. Geometry, sapphire and ceramic bearings, magnetic anti-skating and the Direct Wire PLUS wiring are the same on both. The gain lies in the resonance behaviour of the lighter tube.

Does the Satisfy Kardan Signature fit third-party turntables?

Yes, as long as the 222 mm mounting distance between pivot and spindle can be maintained. Clearaudio turntables are built for it, and matching tonearm bases exist for many other brands. Tell us the manufacturer and model and we'll check that for you before you order.

Is the anti-skating complicated to set?

No. It works magnetically and is adjusted via a set screw – no thread, no hanging weight, no mechanical contact. That means the setting barely ages and doesn't need re-adjusting even after years. On request, we'll set the base level for you as well.

Which cartridges fit it?

Cartridges with a weight of 2.5 to 17 grams can be balanced. Clearaudio doesn't publish an effective mass for this arm, so we'd rather work out the resonance behaviour for very compliant cartridges together with you than assert a figure that isn't stated anywhere.

Why buy the Satisfy Kardan Signature at HD Zürisee?

Because mechanical precision deserves an equally precise setup. Mauri sets tracking force, azimuth and VTA precisely for you in Wädenswil, we advise on the right cartridge, and as an authorised Clearaudio dealer we handle warranty matters correctly. Get in touch at +41 44 680 22 00 or shop@hdzuerisee.ch.

Goes well with

Find the matching cartridge among our cartridges, more arms under tonearms. That pairs with turntables and the amplification you'll need under phono preamps.