Clearaudio TT3 Tangential Tonearm + SSW 1.5 m, Silver

The Clearaudio TT3 is a purely mechanical tangential tonearm for upper-class turntables – this variant in silver, factory-wired with 1.5 m of Sixstream Super Wire (SSW) and MPC RCA.

The sled carries the headshell in a straight line across the record, driven solely by the pull of the groove. That eliminates what accompanies every pivoted tonearm: the changing tracking angle error and the skating force that tugs at the stylus toward the record's centre.

Why the TT3 with 1.5 m Sixstream Super Wire?

Because living rooms are rarely built around cable lengths. One and a half metres is enough even when the phono preamp sits two shelves lower or in a neighbouring piece of furniture – and it saves you the coupling that has no business being in the phono signal anyway. The Sixstream Super Wire, also listed by Clearaudio as Super Sixstream, is symmetrically built, uses twisted OFC copper strands with Teflon insulation and very low resistance; the manufacturer explicitly lists it as the partner cable for the TT arms. The arm itself: dry-running ball bearings in a calibrated, polished glass tube, high-precision carbon armtube, stainless steel headshell, integrated VTA adjustment during play. In silver it looks light, almost floating, against light-coloured cabinets. Anyone who wants the silver conductor chooses the equally hard-wired version with Direct Silver Wire (DSW).

What you hear

Order. Instruments hold their place even when things get dense, and the image doesn't collapse in on itself toward the end of the side. Transients arrive dry and on time, with nothing sharpened up afterwards – the arm simply adds nothing.

Who is the TT3 suited for?

For collectors who listen a lot and are bothered by the quality drop-off of the last tracks – and who want to route the path to the phono stage calmly, without haste. Plainly put: the TT3 is not an arm for casual use. It wants a heavy, level turntable, a calm surface and a setup that's spot on. Swapping cartridges in the tangential sled is likewise not for hasty hands. Anyone who brings both, or has both done for them, gets in return a tracking geometry no pivoted tonearm can match.

Our verdict

Rigorous fine mechanics without power, combined with the cable the manufacturer itself specifies for it – in the longer version for more relaxed placements. The trade press confirms the impression: "Sonically, this fine mechanical masterpiece is still absolutely top-notch even after years." – LowBeats, 8 June 2025 (overall rating 4.6 out of 5, "outstanding"). Whether your turntable has the foundation for it is something we'll look at together at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil.

Technical data

• Type: tangential tonearm with patented two-point tangential guidance
• Drive: purely mechanical and passive – tracking driven solely by the stylus, no motor, no air pump, no power
• Bearings: dry-running ball bearings in a calibrated, polished glass tube
• Armtube / headshell: high-precision carbon armtube / stainless steel
• Wiring: factory hard-wired with Sixstream Super Wire (SSW) – symmetrical construction, twisted OFC copper strands, Teflon insulation
• Cable length: 1.5 m
• Connectors: MPC RCA, separate ground cable
• Factory alternatives available: SSW in 1.0 m, Direct Silver Wire (DSW) in 1.0 or 1.5 m, or base version with RCA sockets
• Height adjustment (VTA): built in, fine-tunable during play; 10 mm height adapter pre-fitted, 14.5 mm included
• Overhang / offset angle: 0 mm / 0° – by design, without anti-skating
• Cartridge weight: balance range 5.5–15 g; Clearaudio recommends from 7 g net weight, below that with an additional headshell plate
• Counterweights: four, pre-fitted (2.3 g, 2.6 g, 4.3 g, 8 g)
• Effective mass: not stated by Clearaudio
• Material and finish: silver aluminium, stainless steel, glass
• Dimensions (W × D × H): approx. 275 × 95 × 45 mm (without folding base, without height adjustment screw)
• Weight: approx. 690 g (without tonearm base); tonearm base approx. 245 g
• Setup reference: optimal distance from stylus to centre of headshell sled 62 mm
• Mounting: direct fit on Clearaudio Performance DC, Ovation and Innovation series; other turntables via the drilling template in the manual (3.3 mm drill bit, M4 thread)
• Special feature: foldable base for free access to the platter
• Warranty: 5-year manufacturer's warranty with registration within 14 days
• Included in delivery: TT3 with pre-fitted sled and factory-wired SSW cable (1.5 m, MPC RCA), carbon armtube and stainless steel headshell with four pre-fitted counterweights (2.3 / 2.6 / 4.3 / 8 g), folding aluminium base with pre-fitted 10 mm height adapter and M4 × 40 screws, additional 14.5 mm height adapter, three M4 × 30 mounting screws, four Allen 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 does SSW mean compared to DSW?

SSW stands for Sixstream Super Wire, the factory-wired tonearm cable of this version: symmetrical construction, twisted OFC copper strands, Teflon insulation, listed by Clearaudio as the partner of the TT arms. DSW refers to Direct Silver Wire with a silver conductor. Both are hard-wired; DSW sits above the SSW version in price.

Do I need an additional tonearm cable or adapter?

No. The arm arrives fully wired with 1.5 metres of Sixstream Super Wire and MPC RCA connectors, with a ground cable included. You plug it straight into your phono stage. You don't need a separate tonearm cable or a coupling – and should avoid one in the phono signal anyway.

Does the TT3 fit my turntable?

It fits directly onto the Clearaudio models Performance DC, Ovation and the Innovation series. For third-party turntables, a drilling template is included in the manual; the base is prepared with a 3.3 mm drill bit and threaded to M4. What matters is enough space next to the platter and a stable, level surface.

How do I care for the tangential arm?

The glass tube must stay free of dust so the sled runs freely – a dry microfibre cloth is enough. Oils or lubricants don't belong on it; they increase resistance and disturb tracking. When handling the arm, the included gloves help avoid fingerprints.

Does Clearaudio give an effective mass?

No, no such figure is published for the TT3. It describes pivoted tonearms swinging on an arc and doesn't apply to a sled guided linearly across the record. We therefore match it to your cartridge's stylus compliance from practical experience – just tell us the cartridge you have in mind.

Why buy the TT3 at HD Zürisee?

Because a tangential arm stands or falls with its setup – and that's not something you do on the side. We set up the base, VTA and tracking force precisely, help you choose the right cartridge, and remain available as an authorised Clearaudio dealer for service and warranty. Get in touch at +41 44 680 22 00 or shop@hdzuerisee.ch.

Goes well with

You'll find cartridges under Cartridges, turntables under Turntables and preamps under Phono Preamps. More arms are shown under Tonearms, care products and small parts are in Turntable Accessories.