Clearaudio TT3 Tangential-Tonarm + DSW 1.0 m, Silver

The Clearaudio TT3 with DSW is a purely mechanical Tangential-Tonarm with a factory-terminated Direct Silver Wire line – this version in silver aluminum finish, with 1.0 meter cable and MPC RCA connectors.

The addition in the name doesn't describe an accessory, but the design: instead of a pair of jacks under the base, a continuous silver line leaves the arm here and only ends at the RCA connectors of your phono stage. One contact fewer in the signal path – and at phono levels, every single one counts.

Why the TT3 with DSW wiring?

Clearaudio offers the TT3 in three connection types: with RCA jacks, factory-wired with Sixstream Super Wire (SSW), or factory-wired with Direct Silver Wire (DSW). Both cable variants are fixed-wired; the difference lies in the conductor. DSW is the higher-grade version with a silver conductor, SSW uses twisted OFC copper strands. Both are available in 1.0 and 1.5 meters. The short length suits setups where the phono stage sits directly next to or beneath the turntable. The mechanics remain unchanged: carriage on dry-running ball bearings in a polished glass tube, carbon arm tube, stainless steel headshell, driven solely by the pull of the groove.

What you hear

A composed, spatially deep reproduction that doesn't let up right into the inner groove. Without skating forces at the stylus, the focus stays stable, and because the signal path manages without an intermediate stop, nothing is lost in fine detail on the way to the phono stage.

Who is the TT3 with DSW suited for?

For vinyl listeners with a silver turntable or light-colored front panel who prefer a ready-terminated solution and have short distances in the rack. Plain talk: the fixed wiring takes the cable choice off your hands – but it also takes it away for later. Anyone who likes to experiment is better served by the jack version. And a cleanly leveled, calm surface remains a prerequisite for every tangential arm.

Our verdict

Anyone who knows where their turntable stands and where the phono stage sits saves themselves a decision and a connector junction with this version. Silver, 1.0 meter, MPC RCA – unpack, mount, align, connect. The specialist press has given the arm a strong testimonial: 4.6 out of 5 points, rating "outstanding" – LowBeats, June 8, 2025. So the length really fits afterward, we measure the path with you beforehand at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil; nothing here can be extended later.

Technical data

• Type: Tangential-Tonarm with patented two-point tangential guidance
• Drive: purely mechanical and passive – no motor, no servo, no air pump
• Bearings: dry-running precision ball bearings in a calibrated, polished glass tube
• Arm tube / headshell: high-precision carbon arm tube / stainless steel
• Wiring: continuous factory direct wiring with Direct Silver Wire (DSW), silver conductor
• Cable length: 1.0 m
• Connectors: MPC RCA, separate ground cable
• Factory alternatives available: DSW in 1.5 m, Sixstream Super Wire (SSW) in 1.0 or 1.5 m, or base version with RCA jacks
• Height adjustment (VTA): integrated, fine-adjustable via height adjustment screw; 10 mm height adapter pre-mounted, 14.5 mm included
• Tangential alignment: by rotating the folding base
• Overhang / offset angle: 0 mm / 0° – no anti-skating by design
• Cartridge weight: balance range 5.5–15 g; Clearaudio recommends from 7 g net weight upward, below that with an additional headshell plate
• Counterweights: four pieces, pre-mounted (2.3 g, 2.6 g, 4.3 g, 8 g)
• Effective mass: not stated by Clearaudio
• Material: aluminum (silver), stainless steel, glass
• Dimensions (W × D × H): approx. 275 × 95 × 45 mm (without folding base and height adjustment screw)
• Weight: approx. 690 g (without armboard); armboard approx. 245 g
• Mounting: directly on Clearaudio Performance DC, Ovation and Innovation series; on third-party turntables via the drilling template in the manual (3.3 mm drill, M4 thread)
• Alignment reference: optimal distance from stylus to the center of the headshell carriage 62 mm
• Warranty: 5 years upon registration within 14 days of purchase
• Scope of delivery: tonearm with pre-mounted carriage and factory-wired DSW cable (1.0 m, MPC RCA), carbon arm tube and stainless steel headshell with four pre-mounted counterweights (2.3 / 2.6 / 4.3 / 8 g), aluminum folding base with pre-mounted 10 mm height adapter and M4 × 40 screws, additional 14.5 mm height adapter, three M4 × 30 mounting screws, four hex keys (1.5 / 2 / 2.5 / 3 mm), Clearaudio linear gauge, ground cable, Clearaudio mini spirit level, one pair of white gloves

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between DSW and SSW?

Both are factory fixed-wired tonearm lines for the TT arms, with DSW being the higher-grade of the two. DSW stands for Direct Silver Wire with a silver conductor, SSW for Sixstream Super Wire with symmetrically twisted OFC copper strands in Teflon. Both are available in 1.0 and 1.5 meters, terminated here with MPC RCA.

Is a separate cable included in the box?

No, and that's the point. The DSW is not an accessory, but fixed-wired to the tonearm and ends directly in two RCA connectors. You connect them to your phono stage, attach the ground, done. You don't need an additional phono cable, and you can't insert one in between either.

Which cartridges fit the TT3?

Cartridges between 5.5 and 15 grams net weight can be balanced, and the manufacturer recommends those from 7 grams upward. Four counterweights from 2.3 to 8 grams are pre-mounted and cover this range. Lighter cartridges are compensated with an additional headshell plate, so the tracking force stays cleanly adjustable.

How do I adjust the height of the arm?

Via the integrated height adjustment screw. For bigger jumps, two adapters are included: ten millimeters are mounted at the factory, a 14.5-millimeter adapter is in the box. The tangential alignment of the arm is done separately, namely by carefully rotating the folding base on the turntable. Use the included spirit level to help with this.

What effective mass does the TT3 have?

Clearaudio doesn't state a value for this. The figure describes the behavior of a pivoting arm tube and doesn't fit a carriage that is guided linearly. That's why we'd rather check the combination of cartridge, stylus compliance, and turntable in conversation than interpret a figure that isn't published.

Why buy the TT3 in silver with DSW from HD Zürisee?

Because version, cable type, and length have to be ordered together and can no longer be changed afterward. We clarify the base, turntable, and distance to the phono stage in advance, mount and align the arm, and take care of warranty and service as an authorized dealer. Write to us at shop@hdzuerisee.ch.

Goes well with

You choose the cartridge under Cartridges, the matching amplification under Phono Preamps. Turntables are found under Turntables, everything else about vinyl under All Vinyl.