Long considered Clearaudio's flagship tonearm, it is now only No. 2 despite its price tag of €5,500, but still makes a statement (Photo: Clearaudio)

Test Clearaudio Universal: Radial tonearm with 9 or 12 inch long carbon tube

Lothar Brandt 8. June 2025

The Clearaudio Universal 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 Universal

For a long time, the Universal was the best horse in Clearaudio’s Radial stable. The long product lifetimes of the Franconians speak for themselves. To date, the author has been using the Universal in its through-wired nine-inch version – currently from 5,830 euros – together with VTA lifters as the incorruptible leader for all cartridge tests, provided they do not require ultra-light or super-heavy arms. The carbon tube, which runs in three diameters, is incredibly stiff despite its low weight, and the horizontal and vertical ball bearings are a model of freedom from play. Various counterweights allow the tracking force to be optimized even with heavy or light pickups.

Clearaudio TA-Universal-9 — At Universal, everything is precision engineering art (Photo: Clearaudio)

Adjustment is no problem at all, daily use is as enjoyable as on the first day. Just like the sound. It is and remains exemplary neutral and yet, with the right music, can go off like the proverbial rocket or glow gently like the proverbial warming open fire.

Quintessence Clearaudio Universal

An arm that doesn’t have to hide from exotic competitors in terms of production and musicality. Only a few geometric strokes of genius that can be counted on one hand can trump it. But they also cost a lot more money. Just like the brand new champion from our own company…

Pickup recommendation:

Clearaudio Jubilee MC, 4,900 euros; perfect harmony; 7.5 grams
DS Audio DS-E3, 2,750 euros including power supply; optoelectronic pickup with super PL ratio, harmonizes excellently with the Universal; 9 grams

Clearaudio Universal	2025/06

OUTSTANDING

Total

Sound

Usability

Workmanship

The rating always refers to the respective price category.

	Richly colored, excellently defined sound
	Fine dynamics
	Through-wiring
	Not quite cheap

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

Price (manufacturer’s recommendation)
Clearaudio Universal: 5.500 Euro

Technical data

Clearaudio Universal 9 inch
Concept:	Radial tonearm with extremely low-friction bearing. Also available in 12 inch
Material:	Aluminum
adjustable pickups:	2.9 g – 24.8 grams
Effective length:	239.00 mm
Overhang:	17.00 mm
Offset angle:	24,89°
Signal cable:	1.1 m Clearaudio Super Sixtream assembled with RCA
Weight (phono/mains adapter):	745 grams including counterweight
All technical data