Clearaudio TT3 Tangential-Tonarm + DSW 1.5 m, Silver

The Clearaudio TT3 with DSW is a purely mechanical Tangential-Tonarm with factory direct wiring – this version in silver aluminum finish, with 1.5 meters of Direct Silver Wire and MPC RCA connectors.

Clearaudio offers four combinations for the fixed-wired TT3: two cable grades, each in two lengths. This is the top-of-the-line configuration – the better line in the longer version, so the placement isn't dictated by the cable.

Why the TT3 with 1.5 m DSW?

DSW stands for Direct Silver Wire and denotes the higher-grade of the two factory direct wirings; the second is called Sixstream Super Wire (SSW) and uses OFC copper instead of silver. Instead of a pair of jacks under the base, an uninterrupted silver line runs from the cartridge to the RCA connectors. At 1.5 meters, there's leeway for clean, tension-free cable routing – even when the turntable and phono stage have two separate spots. The mechanics are those of the standard TT3: dry-running ball bearings in a polished glass tube, carbon arm tube, stainless steel headshell, tracking guided solely by the groove.

What you hear

Music that stays tidy even on the inner groove. Without skating forces, the slight harshness that many setups show toward the end of the side is absent, and thanks to the continuous line, the weak phono signal doesn't pass through any additional contact before it's amplified.

Who is this version suited for?

For vinyl listeners with a light-colored front panel, a greater distance to the phono stage, and the wish to check off the cabling question once and for all. Plain talk: this version is the most expensive variant of the TT3 and makes sense above all when the rest of the chain keeps pace – with a basic phono stage, you won't extract the advantage. And the fixed wiring means: no cable experiments later.

Our verdict

The full-house option among the TT3 versions: best factory line, ample length, silver finish for equipment in aluminum styling. Anyone who wants to place their turntable freely and keep the signal path as short and uninterrupted as possible is in the right place here. LowBeats gave the TT3 an overall score of 4.6 out of 5 and the rating "outstanding" on June 8, 2025. Whether DSW really brings something over SSW in your chain, we'll tell you honestly at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil – even when the answer is sometimes no.

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: 1.5 m
• Connectors: MPC RCA, separate ground cable
• Factory alternatives available: DSW in 1.0 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 (1.5 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 behind the DSW wiring?

DSW stands for Direct Silver Wire, a factory fixed-wired silver line for Clearaudio's TT tonearms. It replaces jacks and a connector junction under the tonearm base with a continuous line all the way to the MPC RCA connectors. Available in 1.0 and 1.5 meters, alternatively as the more affordable Sixstream Super Wire made of OFC copper.

Can I swap the cable for a different one later?

Not without intervention by the manufacturer. The direct wiring is intentional by design and has no connector junction under the base. Anyone who wants the freedom to change their phono cable at any time chooses the TT3 base version with a pair of RCA jacks and ground terminal instead, and picks out the cable themselves.

How much space does the TT3 need on the turntable?

The arm measures roughly 275 by 95 by 45 millimeters, measured without the folding base and height adjustment screw. Add to that the tonearm base, which varies depending on the turntable. Allow some clearance on the side so the arm can be comfortably folded up for placing the record.

Which counterweights are included?

Four pieces at 2.3, 2.6, 4.3, and 8 grams, pre-mounted at the factory. That covers the balance range of 5.5 to 15 grams stated by the manufacturer. Cartridges from 7 grams net weight are recommended; for lighter cartridges, Clearaudio additionally provides a headshell plate, so the tracking force stays cleanly adjustable.

Does Clearaudio state an effective mass for the TT3?

No, this figure is deliberately missing. It describes an arm pivoting around a bearing and can't be transferred to the linearly guided carriage design. Whether your desired cartridge harmonizes is therefore something we assess through stylus compliance, weight, and practical experience rather than a formula.

Why buy the TT3 in silver with 1.5 m DSW from HD Zürisee?

Because this version is three commitments at once: finish, cable grade, and length. We check with you whether it suits your turntable, placement, and phono stage, mount and align the arm, and take care of service and warranty as an authorized dealer. Get in touch at +41 44 680 22 00 or shop@hdzuerisee.ch.

Goes well with

You choose the cartridge under Cartridges, the phono stage under Phono Preamps. Matching turntables, more tonearms, and everything else for vinyl under All Vinyl.