A solid turntable chassis, internal speed control, a well-designed, robust tonearm, and an excellent-sounding moving-magnet cartridge with outstanding value for the money come together in Clearaudio’s latest turntable, the Compass. It is a complete package in the truest sense of the word. Technical improvements to the now larger Clearaudio Concept model, rising material costs, and the resulting increase in the price of the former entry-level model were all key factors behind the development of this new turntable from Erlangen.
“Handmade in Germany” remains the guiding principle for the Clearaudio Compass. With the exception of the heavy base plate, all sound-critical components are manufactured in Erlangen, while the chassis itself comes from the Czech Republic. The basic design follows the standard formula for a mass-loaded turntable. Speaking of mass, the Compass weighs more than 8 kilograms (about 18 lbs.) in total. But back to the concept. The bronze platter bearing with a Teflon thrust pad is permanently mounted to the base. Inside it, the hardened steel spindle of the aluminum sub-platter rotates with virtually no play. The 20 mm thick acrylic platter is machined so precisely that it’s impossible to tell with the naked eye whether it is spinning or standing still. You can’t hear it either, because the 12-volt DC motor – isolated from the base plate and driving the sub-platter via a flat belt – is effectively silent.
It was obvious from the outset that a Satisfy tonearm would not be included at the package price of €1,300. However, the new tonearm, simply called the T1, is technologically based on said Satisfy. Both the headshell and the bearing assembly share clear design similarities. Like the entry-level version of its larger sibling, the T1 is also made primarily from aluminum. On the smaller model, however, anti-skating is achieved with a counterweight rather than magnets, and the gently operating cueing mechanism is somewhat simpler as well. The cable – Clearaudio’s Direct Wire Plus – is continuous from the headshell all the way to the MPC RCA connectors. Overall manufacturing quality is beyond reproach and can easily compete with the widely used British tonearms, in my opinion. I’ve experienced firsthand, through numerous upgrades and on a variety of turntables, just how critical the tonearm is to the final sound quality. That’s why I’m especially pleased that Clearaudio plans to offer the T1 separately in the future – possibly as early as the end of the year, according to company president Robert Suchy.
Already available separately is the N1, a solid moving-magnet cartridge with an elliptical stylus and aluminum cantilever. Much has already been written online and by fellow reviewers, and all I can say to that is: it’s all true. So far, I haven’t heard another cartridge in this price range that handles such a wide variety of musical genres with this level of confidence. Yes, compared with cartridges featuring Shibata or other advanced stylus profiles, tracking ability is naturally somewhat limited – but that only becomes noticeable in direct comparison. And to repeat: what this cartridge delivers to the phono preamp with its roughly 2.9 mV output is pure music.
Pink Floyd’s A Momentary Lapse of Reason (remastered) comes across with rich tonal color and a controlled, well-defined low end that exceeded my expectations. Nick Mason’s powerfully driving drums on “Dogs of War” deliver convincing impact from both the toms and the kick drum. The recording’s dynamic range isn’t overwhelmed by the abundant bass energy. Between individual impulses, the Compass finds enough silence to project the kind of “black background” we all love into the listening room. The Clearaudio sounds full-bodied while still delivering every musically relevant detail. The center image is rock solid, and David Gilmour’s voice in the introduction to “On the Turning Away” has a natural, lifelike scale. The acoustic guitar entering shortly afterward is positioned slightly behind the vocal. The Compass presents everything as a cohesive musical whole without dissecting the depth layering of the complex instrumentation more than necessary – that would simply be overdoing it. In fact, the little Clearaudio only meets its match when compared with significantly more expensive combinations. From my perspective, upgrading is certainly possible by replacing the already excellent N1 cartridge – more on that in a moment – with an alternative featuring a more sophisticated stylus profile, or even with an MC cartridge such as Clearaudio’s own Concept MC, which I hold in high regard. The T1 tonearm and the Compass’s solid platform are certainly capable of supporting such an upgrade.
The two playback speeds are selected electronically using a switch located underneath the left side of the plinth. Speed is factory-adjusted using small potentiometers on the control board, and every turntable is individually tested. The system works flawlessly. The Compass comes standard with a 12-volt DC wall power supply, which also performs without issue. However, I also had Clearaudio send me the Professional Power 12 V power supply because I wanted to know whether it would make a worthwhile difference even with an entry-level model. The answer is yes. With the Professional Power 12 V, depth layering improves, instruments become more distinctly separated, the soundstage gains greater depth, and individual bass transients emerge more precisely from the musical presentation. These are not night-and-day differences, but they are clearly audible and, in my opinion, justify the additional cost of nearly €600. I also appreciate the tactile quality of the small yet substantial power supply. In fact, my own (semi-professional) app-based measurements confirmed improved speed stability with the Professional Power supply compared with the standard unit.
Even after all these years with my record collection, the Compass makes me want to browse my shelves again and rediscover classics or nearly forgotten treasures. One example is the 1962 U.S. Riverside pressing of The Wes Montgomery Trio. Right from the Thelonious Monk composition “Round Midnight,” the Compass demonstrates how naturally and musically it performs. Wes Montgomery’s guitar has body and substance, while Melvin Rhyne uses the organ as a true accompanying instrument, laying down a soft harmonic foundation. Paul Parker’s brushwork is so purposeful that it carries his fellow musicians effortlessly through the rhythm. The warm organ bass extends impressively deep, and the trio’s clever arrangements occupy the entire frequency spectrum. What also stands out is the Clearaudio’s excellent timing. It sounds more composed than lighter or more simply designed “slab-style” turntables, which often impress with speed but lack foundation and those deep, dark spaces between notes. Not so with the Compass. I can’t say with certainty where this authoritative low-frequency performance comes from, but I suspect it owes much to the substantial weight of the MDF-and-steel plinth, combined with the calm precision of the tonearm. Together they provide ideal working conditions for the richly voiced cartridge.
One more record: “Half of Everything” from Lloyd Cole’s solo album Don’t Get Weird on Me Babe. The elegantly grooving band is accompanied by a real orchestra and a soulful choir. Cole’s voice was in absolute top form during the early 1990s. And speaking of vocals: the Compass reproduces them beautifully, with excellent resolution and genuine emotional involvement. The accented rhythms and impeccable timing of the entire ensemble also make this album an absolute pleasure to hear. It’s exactly the kind of music the Clearaudio thrives on.
For me, the Compass sets the new benchmark for value among mass-loaded turntables, and the excellent little N1 cartridge is a thoroughly satisfying companion under other tonearms as well, making it ideal for memorable evenings with vinyl.
MM N1 CARTRIDGE
The N1 cartridge features a sturdy anodized aluminum body with a user-replaceable stylus assembly. Naturally, the stylus can be replaced while the cartridge remains mounted on the tonearm. Simply pull the stylus assembly straight down and insert the replacement stylus. Clearaudio recommends a tracking force of 2.2 grams. I found that adding 0.1 gram more (the recommended maximum is 2.5 grams) produced the best results, noticeably improving tracking performance. One specification that may be relevant when pairing it with other tonearms is its relatively high weight of 12.6 grams compared with competing cartridges. Otherwise, there’s nothing special to watch out for – handling is straightforward and user-friendly. And at this price, the N1 is a genuine bargain. Incidentally, when purchased as part of the Compass package, it comes perfectly installed and aligned from the factory.
Clearaudio Compass Turntable
Concept: Manual mass-loaded belt-drive turntable; includes T1 tonearm, factory-aligned N1 MM cartridge, and acrylic dust cover | Analog outputs: 1 × RCA (hardwired) | Wiring: Clearaudio Direct Wire PLUS with MPC connectors, cable length 1.1 m (3.6 ft.) | Speeds: 33⅓ / 45 rpm | Speed accuracy: ±0.05% | Power consumption: max. 5.56 W | Plinth material: MDF with steel base plate | Platter material: 20 mm acrylic platter with aluminum sub-platter | Finish: Black or White | Dimensions (W/H/D): 44 × 12 × 34 cm (17.3 × 4.7 × 13.4 in.) | Weight: 8.4 kg (18.5 lbs.) | Warranty: 2 years | Price: around €1,300
Professional Power 12 V Power Supply
Concept: Regulated DC power supply, transformer-based, rear-mounted power switch, front standby button, dimmable status LED | Special features: Activates 12 V output only after a 40-second circuit calibration phase (max. 500 mA) | Finish: Black or Silver | Dimensions (W/H/D): 7 × 8 × 15 cm (2.8 × 3.1 × 5.9 in.) | Weight: 813 g (1.8 lbs.) | Warranty: 2 years | Price: approx. €590
Clearaudio Electronic
Spardorfer Straße 150
91054 Erlangen
Phone: +49 9131 40300100
info@clearaudio.de