:..:. Claro Audio .::.: The home of the CLARITY 09 Turntable

Review from Gary Wayne, Cheshire UK ·

Over the years I had stopped buying vinyl and my main source of music had become CD. Also, over the years I had more and more Linn components in my system, each of which in turn went through several upgrades until my system reached its current fully active configuration.

During the latter years I had acquired a Linn LP12 and had it upgraded. Thus my interest in vinyl was re-born. Although my LP12 was high-spec it wasn't the highest spec I could achieve for the venerable turntable and I always thought there was something lacking most likely because I was still using a phono stage from one of my earlier upgrades.

When Linn launched their Klimax DS I added one to my system. This easily out-performed any other digital source I had or had heard. Since then the only source I had heard which out-performed my Klimax DS was the latest top-spec LP 12.

To upgrade my LP12 to the highest spec would have been a considerable cost and so I started to look around for a worthy alternative. If I was to replace my LP12 I wanted something that not only out-performed my LP12 but preferably my Klimax DS too. In addition, and perhaps more importantly I wanted to find a turntable that also looked as good as it sounded.

Whilst looking around for my replacement turntable, a process that started a few years ago, I read a review about a turntable from a company I had never heard of before. Then during 2010, when reading one of several Hi FI magazines I often read I saw an advert, which caught my eye. Eventually I saw a repeat of the advert and something clicked. It was the same turntable I had previously seen the review for.

Following up on the advert I arrived at the Claro Audio website and was impressed with what I saw and read on the site - I was even more impressed when I subsequently went to the parent company site. It was obvious that this turntable the "Clarity 09" would be well made and a precision piece of engineering.

Thus I started a series of email conversations with Peter Curran, the Claro Audio Project Manager. I decided to order a Clarity complete with a Rega RB1000 arm and a Rega Apheta moving coil cartridge. I chose the RB1000, partly based on my discussions with Pete and also because I thought it would have a similar performance to my Linn Ekos. This being based on research I had done, reviews etc, etc. I chose the Apheta because I thought it would be perfectly matched with the RB1000.

After ordering my Clarity, I then eagerly awaited delivery of what I thought would be a worthy replacement for my venerable LP12.

When delivery took place, I received three packages as can be seen. The topmost package containing the RB1000, Apheta and tonearm counterweight, the middle package containing the large dus cover which completely covers the turntable when fully assembled and the bottom package containing the turntable components.

The contents of the topmost package. The photograph doesn't do the contents justice. The RB100 looks stunning as does the Apheta. When the Apheta has been attached they marry together in such a way that the Apheta looks like it is part of the tonearm and not something that's just been attached to it.

Opening the bottom package revealed several layers. This layer containing the sub-platter (top left), a personalized laser engraved puck (bottom left) and the large acrylic platter to the right.

This layer contains the three feet and the solid precision machined aluminum plinth with arm mount already attached. As can be seen in the photograph there are two spindles, showing that the Clarity has dual motors designed to work together. The photograph also shows that the plinth has a captive power lead. Personally, I would have liked the option to replace the power lead with one of my own.

Once I had unpacked everything, it was time to start assembly.

The plinth is easily sat on the three feet and once seated nothing moves. After removing the protective bung from the central bush assembly and inserting the sub platter the two drive belts are located onto the spindles and sub platter. The spindle pulleys are inverse to one another in that there are two per spindle one narrow diameter and one wide diameter but they are in different locations on each spindle. This allows both belts to be on either the narrow or wide pulley at the same time and not to interfere with one another. Both then drive the sub-platter at the same time and at exactly the required speed. In the photograph the belts have been positioned for driving the sub-platter at 33 1/3 rpm. Its unlikely I'll be using the turntable at 45 rpm as this would mean removing the acrylic platter and re-positioning the belts on to the other pulleys. Something that was far easier using the switch on my LP12 but equally something I can easily live without as I have hardly any non 33 1/3 vinyl any more - especially after my Mother donated all of my 45s to charity after they had been in her attic for many years after I left home and before my interest in vinyl was resurrected.

One annoying thing I found was the positioning of the on/off switch which is at the back next to the power lead. It's something I'll get used to but it would be a lot easier to use if it was at the side. After seating the platter on to the sub-platter we are nearly there just need to attach the Apheta to the RB1000 and mount the arm.

Attaching the Apheta to the RB1000 probably took longer than any other part of the process. The Apheta comes in a rather smart box and is held in place by three bolts which are exactly the right size for connecting it to the RB1000. In addition, the bolt holes in the cartridge align perfectly with the bolt holes in the arm head - this makes alignment very simple. Once attached to the head there basically isn't any need to do anything else. What took the time was attaching the tabs on the arm lead to the pins of the Apheta. These are colour coded so it would be pretty hard to connect the wrong ones - they are just fiddly and I was being extra cautious. Once attached the Apheta seems to meld into the arm in such a way that it appears to be a single unit.

Prior to attaching the arm to the arm mount the leads are passed down the centre of the mount and out of the bottom. The arm is then bolted to the mount. These bolts have the same size head as those used for mounting the Apheta. The Apheta also comes with a handy tool for fastening the bolts so I used the same tool to fasten the arm. The fully assembled Clarity in all its glory - complete with dust cover.

When I listened to the Clarity for the first time I thought this sounds good.

All of my sources connect to my Linn Kisto. This is an excellent multi-channel pre-amp. Its volume control ranges from 0 to 100 in 1/2 increments. For CD, SACD, DVD-Audio the volume would usually be between 44 and 48, whilst for my LP12 usually a volume of 60 is necessary.

Because I had been listening to other sources the volume was set low. Whilst I was listening I turned the volume up to my usual level for turntable and sat back to enjoy the music. Whilst listening it became apparent that all was not right as I could hear hum which was especially apparent between tracks.

Disappointed, I switched everything off and set about trying to find the culprit. Eventually, I ruled everything I thought of out of the equation. The hum would also occur with the phono selected and the turntable plugged in but switched off. After doing some research on the internet I came across other cases were the same phenomena was reported and in each case a very sensitive MC cartridge was being used with a turntable that had an AC motor. It was then that I had one of those Eureka moments and decided to try loosening the arm bolts slightly. When I had fastened the arm I had fully tightened the bolts and had done the same when I re-mounted the arm after my investigations into the source of the hum. As I slowly loosened the bolts the hum decreased and then vanished altogether.

I reported my findings to Pete who sent me some spacers to use on the bolts that are used for attaching the arm mount to the plinth. I haven't tried them yet, the arm is securely fastened the bolts are just not as tight as they could go and there is no hum.

Once I had stopped the hum I could listen to my vinyl and determine whether I had made a good choice.

The first thing that was immediately apparent when listening was that the Clarity was better than my LP12. I had already decided that before I got distracted by the discovery of the hum, once I had solved the hum and could really concentrate on listening I confirmed that my initial impression was correct.

When listening, it's apparent that the spatial performance is excellent if not stunning. I have a very varied taste in music and with everything from the Clash to Norah Jones the Clarity was delivering what I had hoped for when I set out on my journey to find a new turntable. The Clarity, in conjunction with the RB1000 and Apheta has an open and airy presentation with a sense of drive and rhythm. I could also hear things in the tracks I listened to that I hadn't noticed before, this I'm convinced is down to the Apheta. The presentation is excellent and treble, midrange and bass are all as they should be. The overall sound is both detailed and captivating.

I've since seen other comments elsewhere confirming that the RB1000 and Apheta combination is an excellent one.

As I've been listening, I've decided there is a weak spot in my system which is the phono stage. My current phono stage just doesn't do my Clarity 09 the justice it deserves. Once I've found a suitable replacement I think the Clarity will well and truly sing.

In summary the Clarity 09 is a remarkable piece of kit. Its build quality is exceptional, neither my photographs or any of the others I've seen do it real justice. It is by far the best turntable I've had and the biggest bonus here is that it is also by far the best looking turntable too. My journey to this conclusion has not been all sweet and roses - I was really disheartened when I heard the hum and there are the minor inconveniences such as not being able to replace the power lead, the speed change and perhaps my one real dislike which is the positioning of the on/off switch. In the end the hum was easily solved and the others are insignificant compared to the listening experience.

The Clarity in action - I can't remember exactly what I was listening too but very enjoyable it was.

For those interested my System consists of:

Linn Klimax DS
Claro Audio Clarity 09 / Rega RB1000 / Rega Apheta / Project SE phono stage
Linn Unidisk (CD, SACD, DVD, DVD-Audio)
Linn Kisto controller (7.1 AV)
2 * Linn AV 5125 power amps driving Linn Akurate 242 speakers fully aktiv (Each 5125 is essentially 5 * 125watt mono power amps with cross overs in the amps being used rather than the speakers - this in turn necessitates 5 runs of speaker cable to each speaker)
1 * Linn AV5125 power amp driving centre and surround speakers.
Pioneer DVD player
Sky HD
Panasonic Blu ray HD recorder (Dual freesat)
DVDO video processor
Pioneer 50 inch Plasma
Technics Tape Deck
Apple TV
PS3

Various manufacturer power cables, interconnects (including Kimber, Chord), mains conditioners etc, etc.