Clearaudio Universal 12-Inch Tonearm RCA, Black

The Clearaudio Universal 12-inch is a radial tonearm with an extremely low-friction precision bearing and a carbon armtube – this version with 308.01 mm effective length, RCA connection and black aluminium parts.

It holds the cartridge so steady above the groove that the stylus only has to do what it was built for: follow the modulation. The vertical and horizontal axes run on high-precision, selected ball bearings, and the carbon tube keeps resonances out of the signal path. Tracking force, azimuth and VTA can all be finely adjusted – VTA even while the record is playing.

Why the Universal 12-inch?

Because of the geometry. With 308.01 mm effective length, 13.01 mm overhang and an offset angle of 18.85°, the stylus stays flatter to the groove across the record side than with a 9-inch arm – so tracking error falls accordingly. Add to that a bearing that offers the arm practically no resistance, and a depth of adjustment you'd otherwise only find two price classes higher. Let's be honest: most tonearms leave you guessing. This one lets you measure.

What you get

A fully grown high-end radial arm with carbon tube, stainless-steel elements and black-finished aluminium – visually understated, mechanically uncompromising. From the factory it's wired continuously with Clearaudio's low-impedance Super Sixstream cable (1.1 m) and terminated in RCA. Cartridges between 2.9 and 21.0 grams can be balanced cleanly, with the counterweight included. Mounting distance is 295 mm from pivot to spindle – the one number that has to match your turntable before you order.

Who is the Universal 12-inch for?

For anyone who wants a first-class radial arm with full alignment control and owns a turntable that offers 295 mm mounting distance. Bottom line: if you're just getting started in analogue, a smaller Clearaudio arm serves you better and more affordably. And if you're running a very heavy cartridge beyond 21 grams, talk to us first – that's this arm's limit. The RCA version is the straightforward standard: plug the cable in, done.

Our verdict

A low-compromise radial arm that gives a high-quality cartridge the stage it deserves – precisely adjustable, cleanly wired, and backed by a five-year manufacturer's warranty. Whether 295 mm mounting distance works on your turntable is something we work out with you at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil in two minutes, before you order.

Technical data

• Type: radial tonearm, 12-inch
• Bearing: extremely low-friction precision bearing, high-precision selected ball bearings for vertical and horizontal axes
• Armtube: carbon
• Material: aluminium (black), stainless steel, carbon armtube
• Effective length: 308.01 mm
• Overhang: 13.01 mm
• Offset angle: 18.85°
• Mounting distance: 295 mm (tonearm pivot to spindle)
• Overall length: 420 mm
• Adjustable cartridge weight: 2.9 g – 21.0 g
• Fine adjustment: tracking force, azimuth, VTA (VTA during playback)
• Cabling: Clearaudio Super Sixstream, 1.1 m, continuous
• Connection: RCA
• Weight: 760 g (incl. counterweight)
• Finish: black
• Warranty: 5-year manufacturer's warranty
• Scope of delivery: tonearm with counterweight, factory-fitted Super Sixstream cable (1.1 m, RCA)

Frequently asked questions

What changes between the Universal in 9-inch and 12-inch?

Mainly the geometry. The 12-inch has 308.01 mm effective length, 13.01 mm overhang and an 18.85° offset angle, versus 239 mm, 17 mm and 24.89° for the 9-inch. The longer arm tracks more accurately across the record side, but needs 295 mm instead of 222 mm mounting distance. We check in advance whether your turntable can accommodate that.

Which cartridges can I mount on the Universal 12-inch?

Cartridges between 2.9 and 21.0 grams. That covers practically all common MM and MC cartridges, from light moving magnets to powerful moving coils. Only true heavyweights above 21 grams can no longer be balanced cleanly by the counterweight. Tell us your cartridge and we'll let you know in advance.

What connection does this version have?

RCA. The arm is wired continuously from the factory with Clearaudio's Super Sixstream cable (1.1 m) and terminated with RCA plugs – no adapter, no extra connector in the signal path. If your cable path or phono stage is designed for DIN, the Universal 12-inch is also available in a DIN version.

Can I adjust VTA during playback?

Yes. Fine VTA adjustment works while the record is playing – handy for matching arm height to pressings of different thickness while you hear the result in real time. Tracking force and azimuth are set with the platter at rest. On request, we take care of the complete initial setup for you.

Why buy the Universal 12-inch from HD Zürisee?

Because mounting and aligning an arm of this class takes experience – and our practised team brings exactly that. We calculate the mounting distance against your turntable, advise honestly on cartridge matching, and handle the manufacturer's warranty correctly. Get in touch at +41 44 680 22 00, via WhatsApp 076 534 22 00 (text only, no calls), or at shop@hdzuerisee.ch.

Goes well with

Find more arms under Tonearms, and the matching cartridge under Cartridges. Add Turntables and the amplification you need under Phono Preamplifiers.