Audio T Verdict
The Clearaudio Performance DC is a substantial step beyond the Concept, combining a heavier layered chassis, 40mm POM platter and Ceramic Magnetic Bearing with the highly capable Clarify tonearm.
The result is a turntable designed to retrieve more low-level information while improving image stability, bass definition and the sense of space surrounding voices and instruments.
Both cartridge packages are carefully matched to the tonearm. The Virtuoso V2 moving-magnet version works with a conventional MM phono input, while the lower-output Concept MC requires a compatible moving-coil phono stage.
The package removes much of the uncertainty involved in choosing separate analogue components, but a rigid level support and correctly matched phono stage remain essential.
Clearaudio Performance DC Turntable Package
The Clearaudio Performance DC is a manual belt-drive turntable package supplied with the Clarify tonearm and a choice of Virtuoso V2 moving-magnet or Concept moving-coil cartridge.
Its turntable, tonearm and cartridge are selected to operate together as a complete analogue source, avoiding the uncertainty of assembling and aligning three unrelated components.
Electronic speed selection provides playback at 33?, 45 and 78 rpm without manually repositioning the drive belt.
Layered Resonance-Controlled Chassis
The Performance DC uses a resonance-optimised sandwich chassis constructed from a highly compressed wood-based core positioned between aluminium layers.
Combining materials with different resonance characteristics helps prevent unwanted mechanical energy from accumulating within the plinth.
The greater mass and rigidity provide the platter bearing and tonearm with a stable mechanical reference, helping preserve fine information contained within the record groove.
Ceramic Magnetic Bearing
The platter rotates on Clearaudio’s Ceramic Magnetic Bearing, commonly abbreviated to CMB.
Magnetic force supports much of the platter’s weight, reducing physical pressure and friction within the main bearing.
A precision ceramic spindle provides accurate centring, while the reduced mechanical contact helps lower bearing noise and supports smooth, stable rotation.
The main bearing is a precision assembly and should not be dismantled or lubricated unless instructed by Clearaudio or an experienced service technician.
40mm POM Platter
The Performance DC uses a substantial 40mm platter manufactured from black POM.
POM is a dense engineering material selected for its dimensional stability and controlled resonance behaviour. The platter’s mass also helps maintain rotational consistency as the stylus tracks the record.
The record is designed to sit directly on the POM surface without a conventional felt mat.
Keep the platter clean and free from dust or grit that could mark the underside of a record.
Decoupled DC Motor and Belt Drive
A low-noise DC motor drives the platter through a precision-ground flat belt.
The motor is mechanically decoupled and resonance damped to reduce the transfer of vibration into the chassis, platter and cartridge.
The three supported speeds can be finely adjusted, allowing rotational accuracy to be checked and corrected using suitable speed-measurement equipment.
Clearaudio Clarify Tonearm
The supplied Clarify is a radial tonearm using Clearaudio’s low-friction magnetic-bearing technology.
Minimising friction at the tonearm bearing allows the cartridge to respond freely to changes within the record groove while maintaining accurate geometry across the record surface.
The Clarify has an effective length of approximately 239.25mm and a mounting distance of 222mm from the tonearm pivot to the platter spindle.
Its continuous 1.1m Direct Wire PLUS cable carries the delicate cartridge signal directly through the tonearm to the RCA connectors, reducing the number of electrical junctions within the signal path.
Factory-Matched Cartridge Options
The package is offered with either a Clearaudio Virtuoso V2 moving-magnet cartridge or a Clearaudio Concept moving-coil cartridge.
Both are suitable mechanical matches for the Clarify tonearm, but their electrical outputs are very different and require the correct type of phono stage.
Virtuoso V2 Moving Magnet
The Virtuoso V2 provides a relatively high output and is designed for a conventional moving-magnet phono input.
- Approximately 3.6mV output
- Hand-polished ebony cartridge body
- Aluminium cantilever
- Elliptical stylus profile
- Recommended tracking force of 2.2g, plus or minus 0.3g
- Designed for a standard 47k-ohm MM load
This is normally the simpler choice when the amplifier already contains a suitable moving-magnet phono stage.
Concept Moving Coil
The Concept MC produces a much lower output and requires a compatible moving-coil phono input with suitable gain and loading.
- 0.4mV output at 5cm per second
- 8g cartridge weight
- Boron cantilever
- Micro Line stylus profile
- Recommended tracking force of 2.2g, plus or minus 0.2g
- 11-ohm internal impedance
- Greater than 28dB channel separation
The lower moving mass and fine stylus profile can retrieve additional low-level detail, but the phono-stage match becomes particularly important.
Choose the Cartridge to Match Your Phono Stage
The Virtuoso V2 requires a moving-magnet input. The Concept MC requires a suitable low-output moving-coil phono stage.
Connecting the MC cartridge to a normal MM input will produce an extremely low level, while connecting the MM cartridge to a high-gain MC input may overload the phono stage.
Adding a Phono Stage
The Performance DC does not contain an internal phono pre-amplifier.
A phono stage provides the specialised gain and equalisation needed to raise the cartridge signal to a level suitable for a normal amplifier input.
Some integrated amplifiers and pre-amplifiers include a compatible phono input. Where they do not, choose a suitable model from our range of
moving-magnet and moving-coil phono stages
.
Cartridge output, required gain, input resistance and capacitance should all be considered when choosing the phono stage.
Playing 78 rpm Records
The turntable motor supports 78 rpm playback, but the supplied Virtuoso V2 and Concept MC cartridges are intended principally for modern microgroove records.
Many shellac records require a wider specialist stylus. A fine microgroove stylus may sit incorrectly within a shellac groove and produce excessive noise.
Cartridge and stylus suitability should therefore be checked before playing older 78 rpm records.
Turntable Support and Isolation
A turntable converts extremely small mechanical movements into an electrical signal, making its support an important part of the system.
Position the Performance DC on a rigid, level equipment rack or wall shelf away from loudspeakers, subwoofers and other sources of mechanical vibration.
A springy floor or unstable item of furniture can cause the stylus to move independently of the record groove, reducing clarity and potentially causing mistracking.
Browse our
turntable and equipment isolation solutions
for suitable support options.
Power-Supply Development
The standard DC power supply operates the decoupled motor and speed-control system.
Clearaudio also identifies its compatible 12V battery-based power solution as a potential development option for the Performance DC.
Power-supply compatibility should be confirmed against the exact turntable version before making any change.
Concept or Performance DC?
Clearaudio Concept
- 30mm POM platter
- Conventional precision main bearing
- Concept magnetic-bearing tonearm
- Choice of Concept V2 MM or Concept MC
- Approximately 7.5kg package weight
- Compact and straightforward introduction to Clearaudio
View the Clearaudio Concept package
Clearaudio Performance DC
- 40mm POM platter
- Ceramic Magnetic Bearing
- Heavier layered sandwich chassis
- Clarify magnetic-bearing tonearm
- Virtuoso V2 MM or Concept MC cartridge
- Greater rotational stability and isolation
MM or MC Package?
Choose Virtuoso V2 MM When
- Your amplifier has a quality MM input
- You prefer simpler phono-stage matching
- A higher cartridge output is beneficial
- You may use a wider range of MM phono stages
Choose Concept MC When
- Your system includes a compatible MC input
- The phono stage provides suitable gain
- Cartridge loading can be matched correctly
- You are prioritising low-level detail retrieval
System Matching
Well Suited To
- High-performance vinyl-based stereo systems
- Listeners seeking a factory-matched package
- Quality MM and MC phono stages
- Rigid equipment racks and wall shelves
- Systems requiring 33?, 45 and 78 rpm
- Future phono-stage and power-supply development
Check Before Buying
- Select the MM or MC cartridge carefully
- A compatible phono stage is required
- Shellac records may require another stylus
- The turntable requires a rigid level support
- Allow space for the tonearm and signal cable
- Confirm the required chassis finish
Setup Guidance
- Unpack the tonearm and stylus carefully
- Position the deck on a stable surface
- Check that the chassis is level
- Confirm the correct phono input before use
- Keep signal cables away from mains leads
- Clean records and the stylus regularly
- Recheck setup after any cartridge adjustment
Browse our
turntables
,
turntable cartridges
,
phono stages
,
analogue interconnects
and
isolation solutions
, or explore the
Clearaudio range at Audio T
.
Key Features
- Complete manual belt-drive turntable package
- Choice of Virtuoso V2 MM or Concept MC cartridge
- Clearaudio Clarify magnetic-bearing tonearm
- Resonance-optimised layered sandwich chassis
- Clearaudio Ceramic Magnetic Bearing
- Precision ceramic main-bearing spindle
- 40mm black POM platter
- Mechanically decoupled and damped DC motor
- Precision-ground flat drive belt
- Selectable 33?, 45 and 78 rpm speeds
- Fine speed adjustment
- Specified speed variation of plus or minus 0.03 percent
- Direct Wire PLUS tonearm cabling
- Factory-matched tonearm and cartridge package
- Designed and manufactured by Clearaudio in Germany
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Performance DC supplied with a tonearm and cartridge?
Yes. The package includes the Clearaudio Clarify tonearm and either a Virtuoso V2 moving-magnet or Concept moving-coil cartridge.
Should I choose the MM or MC version?
Choose the Virtuoso V2 MM for a conventional moving-magnet phono input. Choose the Concept MC when the system includes a compatible low-output moving-coil phono stage.
Does the turntable include a phono stage?
No. A compatible phono input or external phono stage is required between the cartridge and a normal amplifier line input.
What is the Ceramic Magnetic Bearing?
Clearaudio’s CMB system uses magnetic force to support much of the platter’s weight, reducing physical pressure and friction within the main bearing.
Can the Performance DC play 78 rpm records?
The motor supports 78 rpm, but many shellac records require a dedicated wider stylus rather than either cartridge normally supplied with the package.
Does the POM platter require a mat?
The record is designed to sit directly on the POM platter. Adding a mat can alter the record height and tonearm geometry.
Can the power supply be upgraded?
Clearaudio identifies a compatible 12V battery-based power solution for the Performance DC. Compatibility should be confirmed against the exact turntable version.
How large and heavy is the turntable?
The turntable measures approximately 420 x 330 x 130mm and weighs around 11.5kg including its motor.
Why Buy From Audio T?
- MM and MC cartridge-selection guidance
- Phono-stage gain and loading advice
- Turntable setup and installation checks
- Levelling and equipment-support recommendations
- Cartridge alignment and tracking-force assistance
- Speed checking and adjustment support
- Record and stylus-care guidance
- Comparison with the Clearaudio Concept
- Future cartridge and power-supply advice
- Ongoing analogue-system support
Contact your local Audio T store
to discuss the correct Clearaudio Performance DC cartridge option, phono stage and installation for your system.