Проигрыватели виниловых дисков — Clearaudio INNOVATION BASIC

The INNOVATION BASIC is the entry model of the Innovation series of belt-drive turntables from Clearaudio electronic GmbH. It carries the series features - a magnetic bearing, optical speed control and a Panzerholz sandwich chassis - into a slimmer package, and it can take two tonearms. The POM platter needs no mat. In the UK the Basic Wood version was listed at GBP 3,400 and the Basic Black version at GBP 3,550.

Key specs that matter

The deck offers three speeds - 33 1/3, 45 and 78 rpm - selected by electronic controls. Speed accuracy is quoted at less than plus or minus 0.05 percent. The platter is CNC-machined, dynamically balanced POM (polyoxymethylene) about 40 mm thick, and a clear acrylic platter is also offered. A custom high-torque 24 V DC motor, decoupled from the chassis, drives it by belt. The deck measures about 479 x 485 x 141 mm. A transformer-based 24 V DC Professional Power supply comes with the turntable.

Engineering and use context

In the patented CMB (Ceramic Magnetic Bearing), the balanced platter hovers by magnetic force on an inverted, polished ceramic shaft with a sintered bronze insert, so there are no ball bearings or thrust pads in the main bearing. The motor sits directly above one of the three feet, and the OSC sensor is mounted on the plinth. Optical Speed Control, or OSC, uses an infrared sensor that reads a strobe ring and corrects speed in real time. The chassis follows Clearaudio's three-point tri-star shape and is a sandwich of Panzerholz, a dense bullet-proof wood, with aluminium skins. Clearaudio says the shape moves resonances above the audible band and adds stability. Buyers pick silver or black aluminium with natural or piano black lacquered Panzerholz. Fine height adjustment levels the deck, and Clearaudio grants five years of warranty. The tri-star plinth design was first introduced more than 20 years ago.

Pairing

Two tonearm mounting bases are available, so the deck can carry 12-inch arms and more than one arm at a time, radial or linear tracking. Running a second arm with a dedicated 78 rpm cartridge beside a microgroove setup is one use of that option. A separate cartridge and phono stage are needed, as the deck is supplied without an arm.

Alternatives

The Clearaudio INNOVATION COMPACT is the next Innovation model, with a 70 mm POM platter and the same three speeds and dual-arm capability.