Tried and tested: Clearaudio's TT 3 tangential tonearm for €4,100 (Photo: Clearaudio)

Clearaudio TT3 test: passive tangential tonearm with “two-point” scanning

Lothar Brandt 8. June 2025

The Clearaudio TT3 is part of the biggest tonearm comparison that LowBeats has ever done. It makes exclusive use of Clearaudio tonearms; in addition to their eleven turntables, 17 cartridges, record cleaners and phono stages – all “Made in Erlangen”, by the way – the Erlangen-based company also has 12 (!) tonearms in its range. We tested the seven most important ones. These are

Clearaudio Profiler, around 1,900 euros
Clearaudio Tracer, around 2,500 euros
Clearaudio Unify 14 inch, from 2,700 euros
Clearaudio TT 5, from 2,800 euros
Clearaudio TT 3, around 4,100 euros
Clearaudio Universal, from 5,500 euros
Clearaudio Unity, from 15,000 euros

In the big overview article you will find everything you need to know about tonearms, additives and the overview, in this test everything revolves around the

Clearaudio TT 3

We have already covered the basic aspects of the tangential tonearm in the chapter on the TT 5, so we can limit ourselves to the differences between Clearaudio’s next largest sled runner and its smaller brother. The TT 3 from 4,100 euros, tested here in the version with Super Sixstream direct cabling for 4,800 euros. The TT 3 can be folded up as a whole like a drawbridge from the platter and placed back over it – the mechanical protection devices are built in. The pickup should always be moved all the way out by hand. It’s also easy to guide the carbon stub arm over the entry groove or any other desired position.

Clearaudio TA-TT3 — All manufactured with high precision. The blue level helps with alignment (Photo: Clearaudio)

The author really only advises patient professionals to install the desired pickup themselves. Amateurs: You won’t lose any points if you leave this to the Clearaudio dealer! The built-in mechanism for optimizing the VTA scores practical points. The only maintenance measure apart from regularly checking the level: Using compressed air – as with the TT 5 – regularly clear the carriage of all debris. The carriage then runs absolutely smoothly and quietly in its ball bearings on the polished glass under its Plexiglas cover.

Quintessence Clearaudio TT3

The sound of this precision-engineered masterpiece is still top notch even after years. That has to be said casually, because it has coped without complaint with the vast quantities of mediocre vinyl that the author has come across in his life as a reviewer. Even wavy and off-center discs don’t cause him any major problems as long as they are washed clean. The coarse and fine dynamics were and are sensational, the accuracy of good records – which also often end up on the plate – is simply exquisite.

Pickup recommendation:

Clearaudio Stradivari V2, around 4,000 euros; as built for the TT 3, 7.0 grams
Van den Hul Black Crimson, 4,200 euros; the sharp needle cut fits perfectly, also because there is no tracking angle, 8.75 grams

Clearaudio TT3	2025/06

OUTSTANDING

Total

Sound

Usability

Workmanship

The rating always refers to the respective price category.

	Colorful, high-precision sound
	Very good dynamics
	Excellent price-performance ratio despite the high price
	Cartridge change not recommended for laymen

Distribution:
Clearaudio
Spardorferstraße 150
91054 Erlangen
www.clearaudio.de

Price (manufacturer’s recommendation)
Clearaudio TT3: 4.100 Euro

Technical data

Clearaudio TT3
Concept:	Tangential tonearm Purely mechanical and passive drive through dry-running ball bearings in a calibrated and polished glass tube
Material:	Aluminum
adjustable pickups:	5.5 g – 15.0 gram
Dimensions (WxDxH):	275 × 95 × 45 millimeters
Overhang:	0 mm
Offset angle:	0°
Signal cable:	1.1 m Super Sixtream assembled with cinch
Weight	690 g (without tonearm base), tonearm base extra: approx. 245 g
All technical data