Clearaudio Universal 9-inch Tonearm RCA, Black

The Clearaudio Universal is a radial tonearm with an extremely low-friction precision bearing and a carbon arm tube – here as a 9-inch version with factory-fitted RCA connection, in black.

It sits at the most sensitive point in your chain: between the stylus and the phono stage. The Universal keeps the arm tube calm, the bearing smooth-running and the signal path short – Clearaudio's Super Sixstream cable runs 1.1 m to the RCA connectors, which you plug straight into any standard phono stage.

Why the Universal?

Because it allows adjustment where other arms demand compromise. The vertical and horizontal axes run on separately selected precision ball bearings: the arm follows the groove without braking and without slop. The multi-stepped carbon tube breaks up resonances instead of feeding them back into the cartridge. Tracking force, azimuth and VTA are all finely adjustable, and the scale on the counterweight makes every correction reproducible. And because systems from 2.9 to 24.8 grams can be balanced, virtually every serious cartridge fits it.

What you get

A fully grown high-end radial arm with 239.3 mm effective length, at home on Clearaudio turntables and, thanks to its Linn-compatible mounting bore, finding a home on many others too. The 222 mm mounting distance stays compact enough for tight plinths. Plus a set of aluminum and stainless steel counterweights, letting you balance a light MM system just as cleanly as a heavy MC.

Who is the Universal for?

For anyone who owns, or is planning to own, a first-class cartridge – and doesn't want to steal its spotlight. If you like adjusting things yourself, you'll find plenty of controls here; if you'd rather hand that off, we'll set the arm up fully for you. Plain talk: if you're just starting out in the analog world, you're better off with a simpler Clearaudio arm, since the Universal only shows its class with a correspondingly good system. And if you want to trim the VTA during playback, you'll need the optionally available VTA lifter – as delivered, the height is set and fixed at standstill.

Our verdict

A radial arm that doesn't just claim precision, but offers it in tenths of a millimeter: smooth-running bearings, low resonance, cleanly wired. The black finish stays visually understated on dark plinths and lets the turntable take the stage. Whether your turntable allows the 222 mm mounting distance, we'll check with you beforehand at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil – better to measure twice than drill twice.

Technical data

• Type: radial tonearm with extremely low-friction bearing
• Bearings: high-precision, selected ball bearings for the vertical and horizontal axes
• Arm tube: carbon, multi-stepped diameter
• Effective length: 239.3 mm (9.4 inch)
• Overhang: 17.3 mm
• Offset angle: 24.89°
• Effective mass: approx. 9 g
• Mounting distance (pivot to spindle): 222 mm
• Tonearm mounting bore: Linn-compatible, Ø approx. 24.85 mm
• Null points: 66.04 mm and 120.9 mm
• Balanceable cartridge weight: 2.9–24.8 g
• Fine adjustment: tracking force, azimuth, VTA; VTA during playback only with optional VTA lifter
• Cabling: Clearaudio Super Sixstream, 1.1 m, continuous
• Connector: RCA, Clearaudio MPC connector
• Weight: approx. 745 g incl. counterweight
• Finish: Black – carbon arm tube and aluminum parts in black
• Warranty: 5-year manufacturer's warranty with timely registration
• Included: tonearm with factory-terminated Super Sixstream cable (1.1 m, RCA), set of aluminum and stainless steel counterweights, instruction manual

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between the RCA version and the DIN version?

The connector at the end of the signal path. This version is factory-wired with the Super Sixstream cable and terminated with RCA – the straightforward standard that fits any common phono stage. The DIN variant instead works with a five-pin DIN connector and is intended for setups designed around it.

Does the Universal fit my turntable?

That's decided by the mounting distance. The Universal needs 222 mm between the arm pivot and the platter spindle, plus a Linn-compatible mounting bore. On Clearaudio turntables it sits without modification, on many others with a suitable armboard. Tell us the make and model of your turntable, and we'll tell you beforehand whether and how it works.

Which cartridges can I mount?

Systems with a self-weight of 2.9 to 24.8 grams can be balanced – covering practically everything from a light MM to a heavy MC. The effective mass of around 9 grams pairs well with medium to high compliance suspensions. We're happy to sort out which combination makes sense for you beforehand.

Can I adjust the VTA during playback?

Only with the optionally available VTA lifter. As delivered, you set the height at standstill and fix it, which is entirely sufficient for the vast majority of setups. If you regularly switch between thin and thick pressings, you can retrofit the lifter. Azimuth and tracking force are finely adjustable in any case.

Why buy the Universal from HD Zürisee?

Because a tonearm of this class stands or falls with its mounting. We check beforehand whether it fits your turntable, set up overhang, azimuth and tracking force, and remain available afterward too as an authorized Clearaudio dealer. Reach us at +41 44 680 22 00, WhatsApp 076 534 22 00 (text only, no calls) or shop@hdzuerisee.ch.

Goes well with

The matching system is found under cartridges, the turntable to go with it under turntables. Amplification comes from a phono preamp, more arms are under tonearms.