The Clearaudio Unity is part of the biggest tonearm comparison that LowBeats has ever done. The test 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, but in this test everything revolves around the
Clearaudio Unity
It is the real reason for this mammoth comparison test: After years of quietly model-maintained product consistency, manufactured by expert hands in Erlangen and controlled at the highest level, Clearaudio now has a new tonearm that once again marches ahead technically. The Franconians have long since proven that they have mastered both tangential and radial scanning, control the single-point and cardanic ball bearings and, as we heard at the HighEnd about the new entry-level model “Compass”, can also “downsize” know-how into affordable regions.
And now the bang with the Unity, a hefty 15,000 euros. In silver and black. This fits in with the latest pickup coup, where the “Diamond Jubilee MC” for 25,000 (in words: twenty-five thousand) euros has once again pushed the boundaries of what is feasible and what is affordable.
The Unity combines the single-point bearing with a new magnetic stabilization that has completely eliminated the proverbial cow-tail wobble from the Unipivot design. Sworn inhabitants of the analog planet will be familiar with this from the Naim Aro MK II arm, but Clearaudio claims to have further developed the bearing design. You could actually write entire novels – or patent specifications – about the complex stabilization mimicry. For once, we would like to refer you to the presentation by co-head Robert Suchy in the video:
Much more important for the inclined consumer: In practice, the single-point bearing Unity feels like a “normal” radial tonearm. Even more importantly, it doesn’t fidget in the slightest, even during hard continuous operation with several record changes. Most importantly, the ten-inch speaker with the comparatively fine monocoque carbon tube simply sounds outstanding.
Quintessence Clearaudio Unity
With all due respect to the long-time companion Universal, with all due love to the tangential Tadellöser TT 3: The Unity, equipped with the appropriate pickups, enters yet another dimension. The wonderfully “pure” analog-produced singer/songwriter Reema actually comes even closer, her voice gains even more haunting charm. Crazy. Rock classics such as “Kashmir” by Led Zeppelin wind their way even higher above the lowlands of simple pop, while large orchestral hits such as Rimsky-Korssakoff’s “Dance of the Jugglers” virtually tear through the listening room.
The fact that the luxury arm is also extremely easy to operate, that the azimuth can be easily fine-tuned, the VTA can be adjusted with micrometer precision thanks to the built-in lift and the support force can be set extremely finely: Plus points as far as the magnifying glass can see.
This is an arm for the rich. But it also rewards you with a unique richness of sound.
Pickup recommendation:
Clearaudio Diamond Jubilee, 25,000 euros; pretty close to the ultimate in terms of price and sound; 9.25 grams
DS Audio DS-W3, 14,000 euros including power supply; top-class optoelectronic pickup; 9 grams
Clearaudio Unity | 2025/06 |
 | |
OUTSTANDING | |
TotalSoundUsabilityWorkmanship |
| The rating always refers to the respective price category. |
| | Fantastically free, detached sound |
| | Superb dynamics, terrific bass |
| | Almost universally applicable |
| | Very high price |
Distribution:
Clearaudio
Spardorferstraße 150
91054 Erlangen
www.clearaudio.de
Price (manufacturer’s recommendation)
Clearaudio Unity: 15.000 Euro
Technical data
| Clearaudio Unity | |
|---|---|
| Concept: | 10-inch radial tonearm with magnetically stabilized single-point sapphire bearing |
| Material: | Aluminum |
| adjustable pickups: | 5.0 g – 17.0 gram |
| Effective length: | 254.00 mm |
| Overhang: | 16.22 mm |
| Offset angle: | 21,59° |
| Signal cable: | 1.1 m incl. Clearaudio Super Sixtream assembled with cinch / alternatively also with DIN connection |
| Weight (phono/mains adapter): | 790 grams including counterweight |
| All technical data | |
Other tonearms in the test:
- 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 Universal, from 5,500 euros
- Clearaudio TT 3, around 4,100 euros
7 Clearaudio tonearms in comparison: the overview
More from Clearaudio:
Test Clearaudio Balance Reference Phono
Test Clearaudio Reference Jubilee: Super turntable with Boomerang chassis
Test turntable Clearaudio Concept Active + active speaker Elac Navis ARB-51
Test phono stage Clearaudio Basic V2
