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Clearaudio TT5
Tangential tracking
The carriage moves almost without friction and is guided exclusively by the stylus. This allows the TT5 to follow the ideal tangent of the record without tangential tracking error and enables particularly precise playback.
Precise bearing technology
High-precision V4-steel ball bearings run lubricant-free on a precisely polished glass tube. The design ensures controlled and smooth guidance of the tonearm.
Flexibly adjustable
VTA, azimuth and tracking force can be precisely matched to the cartridge used. The TT5 can also be mounted on most common turntables and harmonizes particularly well with clearaudio turntables.
If you want additional convenience when accessing the record, you can optionally combine the TT5 with the swing base developed by clearaudio. With this smooth-running bearing, the tonearm is simply rotated sideways away from the platter.
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Professional Reviews 91/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
90/100
Build Quality
90/100
Features Usability
86/100
Value for Money
95/100
The Clearaudio TT5 delivers clean, neutral precision with the coherent flow of tangential tracking, rendering instruments with sharply defined contours and natural acoustic texture. Fidelity Magazine found its setup no more daunting than a typical pivoted arm, while praising impressive workmanship and standout value. Careful cartridge matching unlocks an especially balanced, captivating performance.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Clean, neutral and highly accurate presentation with clear musical contours and natural instrumental texture.
Setup and adjustment are no more difficult than with an average pivoted tonearm, aided by an integrated level and straightforward alignment controls.
Impressive workmanship and unusually strong value for a specialist tangential tonearm.
&
Cons
Cartridge matching remains important, as the arm performed more effectively with some cartridges than others.
The fixed standard base requires records to be guided through a gap; safer swing-away operation requires the optional swing base.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 90/100
The TT5 is described as clean, neutral, clear and accurate, with the orderly presentation expected from a well-sorted tangential arm. It worked successfully with every cartridge tried, although the review indicates that cartridge matching still affects the final result.
Overall Sound
93/100
Fidelity Magazine describes the TT5 as "very clean, neat and neutral," praising its clarity, accuracy and clear musical line. This points to a controlled, low-coloration presentation rather than an overtly characterful one.
Tracking Performance
86/100
The arm worked fine with all cartridges used in the test, indicating fundamentally dependable groove guidance. However, the reviewer found that some cartridges suited it more effectively than others, and provides little detail on demanding-track stability, resonance, or distortion performance.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 86/100
Setup and adjustment are said to be no more difficult than with an average pivoted arm, but accurate bridge levelling is essential. The TT5 accepts a useful range of cartridges, while rewarding careful matching and requiring a somewhat unusual record-loading procedure.
Adjustability
87/100
Correct horizontal alignment is set via two small screws and an integrated bubble level, giving the user a clear means of achieving the required geometry. Fidelity says setting up and adjusting the TT5 is not more difficult than an average pivoted arm, despite the additional variables involved.
Cartridge Compatibility
85/100
The TT5 functioned with every cartridge used during the test, and its specified balance range covers cartridges from 5.5g to 15g. Still, the reviewer explicitly found that certain cartridges worked better than others, so system matching remains important.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
90/100
The review calls the TT5's handling and workmanship impressive, with particular praise for the optional swing base. Its dry-running ball-bearing drive and polished glass guide tube suggest a carefully executed tangential mechanism, though long-term durability is not discussed.
Value for Money
95/100
Within its stated asking-price range, Fidelity Magazine calls the TT5's price reasonable and describes it as an exceptional purchase. That is unusually strong value praise for a specialist tangential tonearm, even though the review does not name direct competing arms.
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Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Clearaudio TT5
- In Living Stereo — in-store — New York City, New York, United States (website)
- The Music Room — online and in-store — Erie, Colorado, United States (website)
- 3mA Audio — online and in-store — Houston, Texas, United States (website)
- A/V Solutions — in-store — Pleasanton, California, United States (website)
- Acoustic Sounds — online and in-store — Salina, Kansas, United States (website)
- Acton Gate Audio — online and in-store — Cymru, United Kingdom (website)
- AES — in-store — Mitte, Hessen, Germany (website)
- Ahead Stereo — in-store — Los Angeles, California, United States (website)
- Alpha High End — online and in-store — Brasschaat, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium (website)
- Analogue Seduction — online and in-store — Whittlesey, England, United Kingdom (website)
and 181 more verified dealers