Clearaudio Performance DC
High-end turntables · 2013–present In production
£2,300 UK RRP
A visibly higher-end Clearaudio: DC motor with optical speed control and a heavier, better-isolated platter system.
Checked against the manufacturer’s site: 2026-07
Who it suits
Best suited to: an established system where the amp, speakers and room can resolve what this deck retrieves from the groove. Less ideal for: a first turntable — the same budget goes much further spent on mid-range separates first.
Compatibility and setup
- Manual operation: you cue and lift the tonearm by hand at the start and end of each side — there’s no auto-return or auto-lift.
Good to know
- No built-in phono stage — use an amplifier with a phono input or add a separate phono preamplifier.
- Sold without a cartridge fitted — budget for a compatible cartridge and setup before first use.
- Professional setup of tracking force, alignment, azimuth and arm height is worth budgeting for at this level.
Specifications
| Drive | belt drive |
|---|---|
| Speeds | 33/45 rpm |
| Operation | manual |
| Cartridge included | sold bare |
| Built-in phono stage | No |
| USB output | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Platter | POM with stainless bearing |
| Tonearm | Clearaudio (various) |
| Dimensions | 420 x 125 x 330 mm (W x H x D, without tonearm) |
| Weight | 11 kg |
| Finishes | Performance DC Black, Performance DC Silver, or Performance DC Rose Gold tonearm/trim, each available with chassis in Silver, Black, Wood, or Dark Red Wood |
| Years | 2013–present |
How it sits in the catalogue
Its belt-drive mechanism is the majority choice in the database (130 of 159). On price it sits toward the affordable end of its category — 20% of priced high-end decks cost less.
Live merchant offers
Checking current in-stock offers for Clearaudio Performance DC…
Retailer searches
4 UK merchants stock Clearaudio — linked directly to the product page where we have one, otherwise to a site search for the deck.
| Merchant | Type | Delivery | Product link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analogue Seduction | hifi independent | Free UK delivery on most items; specialist packing | View at Analogue Seduction ↗ |
| Criterion Audio | hifi independent | UK delivery; Cambridge demo rooms | Search at Criterion Audio ↗ |
| Doug Brady HiFi | hifi independent | UK delivery; specialist setup | Search at Doug Brady HiFi ↗ |
| The Audiobarn | hifi independent | UK delivery; demo by appointment | Search at The Audiobarn ↗ |
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