Clearaudio Tracer 9-Inch Tonearm, Black

The Clearaudio Tracer is a gimbal-bearing 9-inch radial tonearm with a carbon arm tube, horizontal sapphire bearing and contactless magnetic anti-skating – this version in black carbon.

Carbon brings together what otherwise contradicts itself: high stiffness with little mass. Vibrations from tracking decay quickly in the material instead of travelling back to the stylus as an echo. At 363 g including counterweight, the arm stays light enough for turntables that can't handle a weight orgy.

Why the Tracer?

Because of the mix of material and usability. The carbon tube sits on a horizontal sapphire bearing with a tungsten axle; ball bearings work vertically – friction tends toward zero. Anti-skating runs magnetically and is thus contactless: no thread, no little weight that vanishes during cleaning. VTA and azimuth are adjustable via easily accessible screws, the aluminium headshell allows fine alignment, and an extra weight is included for heavy cartridges. With an effective mass around 10 g, the Tracer sits in the medium-weight range – where most good MC cartridges feel at home.

What you hear

Separation. Groups of instruments stand clearly side by side, fine details hold their place instead of blurring into the fundamental tone, the stage has depth and doesn't wobble. The Tracer plays fast without turning thin: it holds the note together and still lets it go when the recording demands it.

Who is the Tracer for?

For vinyl listeners with a good MC cartridge who prefer precision to warmth and want to adjust their arm without a headache. The adjustment range runs from 3 to 17 g, the effective mass around 10 g suits medium stylus compliances. Plain talk: the Tracer doesn't gloss anything over. If you listen to a lot of mediocrely produced records and want a mild filter, you're better off with an aluminium arm like the Profiler or a correspondingly gentle cartridge. And it isn't cheap – but in return, you won't need to change anything about it for years to come.

Our verdict

A modern arm that draws its quality from material rather than mass: carbon for damping, sapphire for precision, magnetism for anti-skating. It's right for you if your turntable can handle a light, very precise arm and the MC cartridge is already settled. Which combination ultimately fits together is something we'd rather sort out in conversation at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil than in a table.

Technical data

• Type: gimbal-bearing radial tonearm, 9 inch
• Bearing: horizontal sapphire bearing (tungsten axle), vertical ball bearing
• Arm tube: carbon, black – aluminium headshell
• Anti-skating: magnetic, contactless
• Adjustable: VTA, azimuth, tracking force, anti-skating
• Effective length: 238.94 mm (calculated from mounting distance and overhang)
• Mounting distance (pivot to spindle): 222.00 mm
• Overhang: 16.935 mm
• Offset angle: 25°
• Total length: 320 mm
• Effective mass: approx. 10 g (medium weight)
• Armboard mounting hole: Clearaudio, Ø 24.85 mm
• Cartridge weight adjustment range: 3–17 g
• Signal cable: Clearaudio Sixstream Super Wire, 1.1 m, MPC RCA
• Weight: 363 g (incl. counterweight)
• Model no.: TA044 (black version: TA044/B)
• Warranty: 3 years upon registration
• Included: tonearm with signal cable and counterweight, Clearaudio armboard, extra weight 37 g with mount, three Allen keys (3 / 2.5 / 1.5 mm), screws (3× M4 × 10, 1× grub screw M6 × 8), alignment protractor, instruction manual with quality certificate and warranty card

Frequently asked questions

Does the Tracer fit my turntable?

If the mounting distance is 222 mm and the arm mounting hole is 24.85 mm in diameter, it fits directly. Many high-quality turntables work with this dimension, and matching Clearaudio armboards exist for others. Tell us your turntable and we'll clarify the mounting before you order.

How does the magnetic anti-skating work?

Via two magnets instead of thread and weight. The counterforce acts without contact and without friction, set via the wheel next to the bearing. There's nothing to snag, wear loose, or fall off during cleaning – and the setting stays reproducible when you change cartridges.

What does carbon offer over an aluminium tube?

Higher self-damping at lower weight. Vibrations from the tracking process decay faster in carbon and don't travel back to the stylus as an echo. At the same time, the arm stays notably lighter at 363 g than the Profiler at around 510 g – an advantage on sprung turntables.

Which cartridge suits the effective mass of around 10 g?

Cartridges with medium stylus compliance, as most good MC cartridges have. Anything between 3 and 17 g of intrinsic weight can be balanced, and an extra weight of 37 g is included for heavy cartridges. Very softly suspended MM classics, on the other hand, are more suited to lighter arms.

Is the Tracer difficult to set up?

No, it's among the more accessible arms in its class. VTA and azimuth are adjustable via easily reached screws, anti-skating via a wheel, and the alignment protractor plus Allen keys are included. For the very last bit of fine-tuning, we still recommend a setup with specialist tools.

Why buy the Tracer from HD Zürisee?

Because this arm only shows its potential after precise setup. We check the combination of turntable, arm and MC cartridge with you beforehand, and Mauri mounts and aligns the Tracer in Wädenswil. Get in touch on +41 44 680 22 00, on WhatsApp at 076 534 22 00 (text only, no calls) or at shop@hdzuerisee.ch.

Goes well with

The matching MC cartridge is found under cartridges, further arms under tonearms. Matching that are turntables and phono preamplifiers, small parts are found in turntable accessories.