Clearaudio Compass turntable

The new Clearaudio Compass turntable required two years of development to deliver high-performance analog sound reproduction and remarkable musicality at an accessible price for the German manufacturer. To make this turntable affordable, Clearaudio focused its expertise on the most critical elements for sound reproduction.

CLEARAUDIO COMPASS: PLINTH AND PLATTER

With the Clearaudio Compass, beginners can start using the turntable immediately without reaching for a toolbox. The Compass features a clean, minimalist design and is available in black or silver. It combines understated elegance with optimized technical sophistication. Build quality is excellent—among the best in its class.

Its rigid plinth is made from high-density MDF. A solid steel plate is mounted underneath to ensure optimal stability and add mass to reduce resonances. The feet incorporate an integrated decoupling system to guarantee optimal operation and are height-adjustable.

At the heart of the turntable is a precision spindle and bearing assembly combined with an aluminum platter and sub-platter, ensuring playback stability of ±0.05%.

The 20 mm thick acrylic platter has been specifically designed to be completely inert to mechanical and acoustic vibrations during playback.

The Compass is supplied with a translucent acrylic dust cover.

CLEARAUDIO COMPASS: TONEARM AND CARTRIDGE

Clearaudio has developed a new tonearm, the T1, a simplified version of the renowned Clearaudio Satisfy tonearm. It is paired with the new Clearaudio N1 moving-magnet (MM) cartridge, specifically designed for the Compass turntable and the T1 tonearm. This combination delivers outstanding performance in its price category.

The tonearm is also equipped with an aluminum cueing lever that lowers smoothly. It features a captive (direct-wire) phono cable measuring 1.10 m.

Every acoustic component—from the tonearm and cartridge to the bearing—is manufactured with the utmost care at Clearaudio’s Erlangen factory, following true artisanal craftsmanship.

CLEARAUDIO COMPASS: SPEED CHANGE

The integrated electronic speed change allows playback of both 33⅓ and 45 RPM records. Switching is done via an intuitive rocker switch located beneath the plinth.

CLEARAUDIO COMPASS: LISTENING TEST

The Clearaudio Compass may be an entry-level turntable for the brand, but it makes no compromises in sound reproduction.

It delivers a confident sonic signature with excellent dynamics and remarkable fluidity. The soundstage is precise, stable, and impressively wide and deep for a turntable in this price range.

You also find the precision and transparency typical of Clearaudio turntables, combined with great nuance and a solid, well-controlled low end. The midrange and treble are open and airy. Instruments and orchestral sections are reproduced with realism and assurance.

The Clearaudio Compass proves that a major manufacturer can deliver an ultra-high-performance product at an affordable price—without sacrificing musicality.

Our favorite.
Highly recommended.