Clearaudio Universal 12-Inch Tonearm DIN, Silver

The Clearaudio Universal 12-inch DIN is a radial tonearm with an extremely low-friction precision bearing and a carbon armtube – this version with 308.01 mm effective length, a 5-pin DIN connector at the arm, and silver aluminium parts.

At the arm base sits a DIN socket instead of a permanently fitted cable. That turns the tonearm cable into a component you can choose independently of the arm and swap out later. The mechanics above it remain those of the Universal: selected ball bearings on both axes, a rigid carbon tube, and fine adjustment for tracking force, azimuth and VTA.

Why the Universal 12-inch with DIN?

Because an arm of this class stays with you for a long time, and cables are allowed to change. The geometry is fixed and is the real reason for the length: 308.01 mm effective, 13.01 mm overhang, 18.85° offset – the stylus stays closer to the tangent across the entire record side. What happens after that is up to you, and that's exactly the appeal of the DIN output. An upgrade that never gets stuck at the screwdriver stage.

What you get

A silver high-end radial arm made from aluminium, stainless steel and carbon, plus Clearaudio's Super Sixstream (1.1 m) already terminated from DIN to RCA. The counterweight is included and balances cartridges from 2.9 to 21.0 grams. The arm tips the scales at 760 grams, measures 420 mm overall, and needs 295 mm mounting distance – the figure every planning starts with.

Who is the Universal 12-inch DIN for?

For analogue listeners with a large turntable who don't want to commit to a fixed tonearm cable – whether because a swap is planned or the phono stage already runs on DIN. Bottom line: if you'll never actually swap the included cable, you don't need the DIN output and are just as well served by the continuously wired RCA version. And without the necessary 295 mm on your turntable, neither version will work.

Our verdict

Mechanically identical to the RCA version, more flexible in practice: the DIN output keeps your cable path open without making you compromise at the start. Precision bearing, carbon tube, full alignment and a five-year manufacturer's warranty – in silver, the version for light-coloured turntables. What really makes sense in your system is something we discuss at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil, before anything is ordered.

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 (silver), 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)
• Connection at the arm: 5-pin DIN (tonearm cable detachable)
• Cabling: Clearaudio Super Sixstream, 1.1 m, terminated DIN to RCA
• Weight: 760 g (incl. counterweight)
• Finish: silver
• Warranty: 5-year manufacturer's warranty
• Scope of delivery: tonearm with counterweight, Super Sixstream cable (1.1 m, DIN to RCA)

Frequently asked questions

What's the point of a 5-pin DIN connector on the tonearm?

It keeps the tonearm cable detachable. At the arm base sits a DIN socket instead of a permanently fitted cable, so you can connect a different cable later without dismounting the arm. The Clearaudio Super Sixstream (1.1 m, DIN to RCA) is already included as standard.

Does the Universal 12-inch fit my turntable?

That's decided by the mounting distance: 295 mm from tonearm pivot to spindle, with 420 mm overall length. Many compact turntables don't offer that, but large chassis and separate tonearm bases do. Send us your turntable model and we'll check it before you order.

Does silver sound different from black?

No, the two finishes are technically identical – same geometry, same bearing, same carbon tube. The difference is purely visual: silver harmonises with aluminium chassis and light-coloured plinths, black recedes more discreetly. Both come with DIN and with RCA connection.

How heavy can the cartridge be?

Between 2.9 and 21.0 grams, every cartridge can be balanced cleanly. That covers the vast majority of high-quality MM and MC cartridges. If your cartridge is heavier than that, the arm won't fit – tell us in advance what you're planning to mount.

Why buy the Universal 12-inch DIN in silver from HD Zürisee?

Because we take care of the two questions that usually cause trouble: does the arm fit mechanically on the turntable, and which cable belongs on the DIN output? Mauri mounts and aligns it in Wädenswil, and the warranty runs through us. Contact: +41 44 680 22 00, WhatsApp 076 534 22 00 (text only, no calls), shop@hdzuerisee.ch.

Goes well with

Find matching tonearm cables under Phono Cables, more arms under Tonearms. Add Cartridges, Turntables, and everything around the turntable under Turntable Accessories.