Clearaudio Performance DC vinyl turntable

The new Clearaudio Performance DC vinyl turntable features the technology and innovation developed by the company for products such as the Ovation. The plinth is crafted out of a high-density material with cavities in strategic areas filled with damping balls. This is sandwiched between two aluminium plates. This design choice gives the vinyl turntable incredible mass and density, and eliminates all vibration and resonance. The 40mm-thick platter is made from a block of resin (POM). This material gives the turntable high density, strong rigidity and a very low resonance frequency. It also has a new ceramic and bronze bearing (CMB) which works using a system of magnetic repulsion. This innovation significantly reduces friction, noise and wear and tear. The motor is very quiet and runs on direct current power. It is regulated and stabilised, with three oscillators within the circuit which control speed changes via small, elegant blue LED buttons (33⅓/45/78 RPM). Practical and efficient! The Performance DC is fitted as standard with the incredible carbon fibre ‘Clarify’ tonearm and a Clearaudio Virtuoso V2 MM cartridge. All perfectly aligned and set up!

This vinyl turntable is extremely well built, with Clearaudio’s trademark low production tolerance, and we're big fans of this product’s fine finish and emphasis on precision. It is incredibly easy to operate and doesn’t require any particular specialist knowledge.

And it sounds just as good in reality as it does on paper! It runs incredibly quietly, which gives playback remarkable transparency. The dynamic range is amazing and is spread evenly across the entire spectrum. The bass really pushes through, and the treble flies high – and fast! The tempo is very pronounced, giving playback a distinctly physical quality, without compromising on nuance and subtlety. The speed control appears to be doing its job well and the complete absence of wow is impressive. The sound stage is full and precise, as wide as it is deep. The Performance DC seems to work well with all musical genres, from reggae and blues through to pop, jazz and classical. This turntable is indisputably a triumph, with a price tag that blows its competitors out of the water! We highly recommended it.

AWARDS:

Diapason d'Or 2014

Best buy Haute-Fidélité