What Makes Clearaudio Turntables So Quiet? German Engineering at Work

Clearaudio turntables have long been renowned for their whisper-quiet play and precise playback, the standard by which analog play is measured. So why do they play so quiet? The key lies in a combination of meticulous German engineering, high-end materials, and decades of innovation. Below is an explanation of the primary factors involved in the near-silence of Clearaudio's play.

1. Precision-Balanced Platters

Turntables by Clearaudio are engineered with CNC-machined platters made of materials like acrylic, aluminum, or even high-density polymer composites. Platters are finely tuned to eliminate vibrations and rotational hum. The result: silky smooth, even rotation with less than no mechanical resonance.

2. Magnetic Bearing Technology

At the heart of many Clearaudio designs is their own proprietary CMB (Ceramic Magnetic Bearing) technology. Using opposing magnets to float the platter above the spindle, they reduce nearly all physical contact. The ceramic shaft rotates within a carefully machined bearing housing, greatly reducing friction and wear—operating nearly silently and lasting very long.

3. Isolated Motor Systems

Clearaudio differs from traditional turntables in that it isolates the motor assembly from the chassis to prevent vibration transfer. Most models incorporate external or decoupled motor pods that are powered by precision-ground belts. This accomplishes a motor-induced noise isolation so that none reaches the stylus or tonearm.

4. Low-Noise Drive Electronics

Clearaudio Quartz-controlled DC motor systems achieve speed stability at all times and near-noiselessness. The drive circuitry is also optimized to extract electrical interference and unsteady torque-fluctuations, maintaining the integrity of your analog playback.

5. Anti-Resonance Design Philosophy

From plinth to feet, all Clearaudio turntables are designed with vibration control. Such materials as Panzerholz (bulletproof wood), constrained-layer damping systems, and high-mass plinths serve to damp out environmental resonance and acoustic feedback. The tonearms themselves are designed to be less microphonic, with carbon fiber or precision aluminum constructions.

6. German Precision Engineering

Most significantly, Clearaudio's quiet is the product of obsessively German engineering. Everything is manufactured in-house at Erlangen, Germany, to incredibly tight tolerances. This obsessive attention to detail ensures every piece functions in accord with a minimum of extraneous mechanical noise or vibration.

The Bottom Line

Clearaudio turntables are not just quiet, they're built to be. From the floating bearings to the resonance-dampening materials and isolated motors, every detail speaks to the devotion to silent, lifelike audio reproduction. It's not just audiophile magic—it's German engineering.

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