Проигрыватели виниловых дисков — Clearaudio CELEBRITY “AL DI MEOLA” EDITION

Clearaudio electronic GmbH introduced the CELEBRITY AL DI MEOLA EDITION as a belt-drive record player and as the first model in its Celebrity series, built in close collaboration with jazz guitarist Al Di Meola. Its plinth takes the outline of a Gibson Les Paul electric guitar, and production is limited to 1,000 units worldwide. The recommended retail price is about EUR 3,950.

Key specs that matter

Playback runs at 33 1/3 and 45 rpm. It arrives fully equipped with the Clearaudio Profiler tonearm and a specially matched Celebrity moving-magnet cartridge, so it is ready to play as delivered. The 30 mm high-density platter rests on an aluminium sub-platter machined on CNC equipment, with a flat belt running from the motor. Power comes from a decoupled 12 V DC motor isolated by the Innovative Motor Suspension, or IMS. The turntable measures about 460 x 360 x 140 mm and weighs about 10 kg. Two finishes are offered - deep black or real rosewood veneer.

Engineering and use context

The body is made of high-density wood fibre shaped like the guitar, and the choice of finishes follows the same instrument theme. Rather than relying on a fixed motor speed, the deck uses a closed loop. Speed is governed by Tacho Speed Control, or TSC, which monitors platter speed in real time and adjusts automatically for changes such as belt tension or temperature drift. The system also calibrates itself at startup. A single multifunction control knob, modelled on a guitar volume dial, handles power, speed switching and standby, which keeps the top surface free of extra switches. Each package also includes a numbered special-release vinyl album by Al Di Meola and a branded guitar pick, tying the deck to the artist behind the edition. The guitar theme runs from the plinth shape through the finish options to the control layout, and the Celebrity name marks the start of a series of artist models from the company.

Pairing

With the tonearm and a moving-magnet cartridge already fitted, the deck connects to an amplifier that has an MM phono input, or to an outboard MM phono preamplifier in front of a line input. No cartridge alignment or tonearm purchase is needed before first play, and a buyer who later wants a different cartridge can fit one to the Profiler arm.

Alternatives

The Clearaudio Compass is a smaller two-speed model using a 20 mm acrylic platter, a pre-installed T1 tonearm and an N1 moving-magnet cartridge.