Clearaudio Tracer 9-Inch Tonearm, Silver

The Clearaudio Tracer is a gimbal-mounted 9-inch radial tonearm with a carbon armtube, horizontal sapphire bearing and magnetic anti-skating – here with a silver carbon tube and matching aluminum parts.

A tonearm has two enemies: mass in the wrong place, and resonance. Carbon solves both at once, because it's stiff yet lightweight. At 363 g including counterweight, the Tracer is one of the lighter tonearms in its price class – good for turntables that can't take just any load.

Why the Tracer?

Because it's precise without being complicated. The silver carbon tube runs on a horizontal sapphire bearing with a tungsten axle and vertical ball bearings, so friction is practically zero. Anti-skating works magnetically – contactless and without a thread – so once set, it stays set. Tracking force, VTA and azimuth are all adjustable via accessible screws, and the aluminum headshell allows for fine-tuning. An effective mass of around 10 g puts it in the medium-mass field, where most serious MC cartridges play.

What you hear

Order. Voices and instruments keep their place even when a lot is happening at once, and fine detail is preserved right down into quiet passages. The bass is tight rather than fat, and the soundstage feels deep and calm. If you've ever heard an arm that gets annoying at higher levels: this one doesn't.

Who is the Tracer for?

For anyone who wants to take their turntable to the next level with a precise, lightweight arm and already has a good MC cartridge in mind. Anything from 3 to 17 g of cartridge weight can be balanced, and a 37 g add-on weight is included for heavier cartridges. Plain talk: the Tracer doesn't sweeten anything. You'll notice this with a thinly mixed record collection – in that case an aluminum arm like the Profiler, or a warmer-sounding cartridge, is the clearer solution. But anyone looking for accuracy won't want to give it up.

Our verdict

Light, stiff, precisely mounted, and pleasantly unobtrusive in silver: the Tracer is an arm for listeners who know what they want and don't want to re-adjust every year. Carbon damps, sapphire holds, and the magnetic anti-skating removes a classic source of error from the equation. Whether it suits your turntable, and which cartridge belongs with it, we'll discuss at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil before anything is ordered.

Technical data

• Type: gimbal-mounted radial tonearm, 9 inch
• Bearings: horizontal sapphire bearing (tungsten axle), vertical ball bearings
• Armtube: carbon, silver – aluminum 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°
• Overall length: 320 mm
• Effective mass: approx. 10 g (medium mass)
• 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 (silver version: TA044/S)
• Warranty: 3 years upon registration
• Scope of delivery: tonearm with signal cable and counterweight, Clearaudio armboard, 37 g add-on weight with fastener, three hex keys (3 / 2.5 / 1.5 mm), screws (3× M4 × 10, 1× M6 × 8 grub screw), alignment protractor, instruction manual with quality certificate and warranty card

Frequently asked questions

Which turntables accept the Tracer?

All turntables with a 222 mm mounting distance and a 24.85 mm diameter arm mounting hole. That's the Clearaudio standard, and matching armboards are available for turntables with other dimensions. Send us the brand and model, and we'll tell you before you order whether and how it can be mounted.

Why magnetic anti-skating instead of thread and weight?

Because nothing rubs mechanically or wears loose over time. Two magnets generate the counter-force without contact, adjusted via the wheel next to the bearing. This stays reproducible for years, even after a cartridge change, and nothing can fall off or snag while cleaning.

Is carbon superior to an aluminum tube?

Not better, just different. Carbon damps more strongly and weighs less, which is why the Tracer comes in at 363 g while the Profiler with its aluminum tube weighs around 510 g. On suspended turntables, that's a real advantage, and sonically it results in a tighter, more precise character.

Which cartridge suits around 10 g of effective mass?

MC cartridges with medium stylus compliance are the natural choice. In terms of weight, anything from 3 to 17 g can be balanced, and a 37 g add-on weight for heavier cartridges is included. Very softly suspended MM cartridges, on the other hand, work better with lighter arms.

How much effort does setup take?

Manageable. An alignment protractor, three hex keys and the add-on weight are included, VTA and azimuth are easily accessible, and you set the anti-skating via the wheel. If you want the optimum, still have offset angle and overhang checked with proper tools – the last few percent are hiding right there.

Why buy the Tracer from HD Zürisee?

Because with this arm, setup determines the result. We clarify beforehand whether turntable, arm and cartridge fit together, and Mauri installs your Tracer cleanly in Wädenswil. Call us at +41 44 680 22 00, message us on WhatsApp at 076 534 22 00 (text only, no calls), or write to shop@hdzuerisee.ch.

Goes well with

Matching cartridges are under Cartridges, alternative arms under Tonearms. Plus Turntables, Phono Preamps, and everything else under Turntable Accessories.