Clearaudio Innovation Compact
User Manual
Welcome
Dear Clearaudio customer,
Congratulations on your choice of the Innovation Compact turntable, a world-class turntable, handmade in Germany by Clearaudio electronic GmbH.
The resonance-minimizing chassis sandwich construction, combined with the innovative motor unit (low noise level and high turning moments), guarantees total isolation of resonances from the turntable chassis, providing the best music reproduction and authentic High End imaging. A high-precision, maintenance-free sinter bronze bearing completes the analogue pleasure. The Clearaudio patented CMB-Bearing-Technology, an inverted bearing with a jewelled and polished ceramic bearing shaft and a bronzed liner, provides frictionless analog enjoyment.
Please read this instruction manual carefully to avoid any damages or loss of warranty. This manual will help you with an easy setup and guarantees the highest pleasure for a long time.
We wish you a lot of musical enjoyments with your new Clearaudio Innovation Compact turntable.
Clearaudio electronic GmbH
Product Variants
Image: Clearaudio Innovation Compact Black turntable, showcasing its tonearm and cartridge.
Image: Clearaudio Innovation Basic Wood turntable, showcasing its tonearm and cartridge. Picture similar.
Safety Instructions
1. General information
- Check the turntable for any damage before using it. Do not connect the turntable if damaged!
- Never connect the turntable if it has been dropped or gotten wet; contact your dealer to have the turntable checked.
- Never expose the turntable to rain or moisture.
- Never touch the power cord of the device with wet hands.
- Regular visual inspections for defective insulation on the connection cable are also recommended for your own safety. A damaged cable should be replaced immediately by a specialist!
- Never pull on the power cord to unplug the device. Always pull directly on the plug!
- The inside of the turntable is maintenance-free. Never open the case or attempt to repair the unit yourself, as this can lead to loss of warranty!
- We recommend disconnecting the power supply from the mains if you do not operate the device for a longer period of time.
- The turntable does not feature an automatic shut-off mechanism. Therefore, as soon as the stylus has reached the run-out groove, engage the tonearm lift and switch the turntable off.
- Not suitable for children! Scope of delivery may contain small parts that can be swallowed.
2. Intended use
The Innovation Compact is a turntable for playing records. The intended use of the Innovation Compact is in accordance with the information provided in the user manual only. The power supply may only be operated with maximum permissible connection values according to the technical data. Any other use or modification of this product is not intended.
3. Location of installation
Avoid locations with direct sunlight, temperature fluctuations, and high humidity. Likewise, avoid placing electronic devices near heaters, heat lamps, or other devices that produce heat. The device is designed for operation at room temperature. No objects with an open flame may be placed on or near the device (burning candles or similar).
4. Overload
The product is designed to comply with all necessary safety regulations. However, you should not leave the device unattended under extreme loads.
5. Maintenance
Never use aggressive cleaning detergent. Do not use dry cloths for cleaning as this generates static electricity. Suitable cleaning and care products from Clearaudio are available from www.analogshop.de or from specialist retailers.
The bearing of the turntable platter can be lubricated every 2 years with the oil provided. Put 1 or 2 drops of the oil into the bearing for lubrication.
6. Health information
Permanently high volume can lead to various types of hearing damage. Use high volume responsibly!
7. Service
The Innovation Compact turntable should be repaired during the guarantee period by the manufacturer only, otherwise the warranty claim expires. All Clearaudio products should only be serviced by specialist retailers.
If, despite the high production standard, a service is necessary, the Innovation Compact turntable must be sent to Clearaudio through your dealer.
8. Transport
Use the original packing material for further transportation of the Innovation Compact turntable, otherwise serious damage could occur. Be sure to pack the device exactly as it was shipped. Safe transport is only guaranteed in the original packaging. Proceed in reverse as described for assembly when packing.
Always remove the turntable platter and replace the foam securing the sub-platter and cover the bearing with tape as well. Otherwise serious damage can occur. Remove also the pulley from the motor axle to avoid any damage during transport.
Clearaudio assumes no liability for any damage that may occur due to incorrect packing.
9. Disposal
Do not dispose of this product together with other waste. WEEE Reg. No.: DE26004446
10. CE Marking
CE UK CA. This electronic product corresponds to the applicable guidelines for obtaining the CE mark.
1. Packing overview
Diagram: Shows the contents of the package. Top layer: Accessories including user manual, warranty card, Clearaudio Quality Card, Stroboscope Testrecord. Middle layer: Innovation Compact turntable chassis with mounted lower bearing part and integrated motor unit; optional tonearm. Bottom layer: Platter with integrated bearing upper part, power supply; optional cartridge. All items are shown within a shipping box.
2. List of components
Clearaudio has developed a special and secure packing for your Innovation Compact turntable that ensures safe transportation. Please keep this original packing if you need to ship the turntable.
Diagrams show individual components labeled 1 through 5b.
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. | Turntable body with mounted lower bearing part |
| 2. | Platter with integrated upper bearing part |
| 3. | Power supply |
| 4. | 3x Flat Pads |
| 5. | Optional: Clearaudio Universal (Fig. 5a) or Magnify (Fig. 5b) tonearm. Optional: 30 mm base for Universal tonearm (not shown). |
| 6. | 1 Pair of white gloves |
| 7. | Grounding wire for the Innovation turntable (to connect in the bottom bearing part) |
| 8. | Level gauge for the turntable alignment |
| 9. | 1 pcs. flat belt |
| 10. | 4 pcs. hex wrench; sizes: # 1,5/# 2,5/#3/#7 |
| 11. | Screwdriver |
| 12. | Bearing oil for occasional use |
| 13. | Clearaudio Stroboscope Testrecord (Art. No. AC038) to adjust the exact speed |
| 14. | Optional in package: Clearaudio MC cartridge |
| 15. | Optional in package: Turntable + tonearm + cartridge |
| 16. | Cartridge alignment gauge for Magnify or Universal tonearm (optional) (No illustration) |
| 17. | Warranty card, Clearaudio Quality certificate card (Not shown) |
| 18. | User Manual (Not shown) |
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please double check the tightness of all bolts, hardware, and mounting pods, as temperature fluctuations during transit may have caused the hardware to become loose.
3. Installation and setup
The setup of the Innovation Compact turntable is easy as the turntable chassis is pre-assembled and has been tested at the factory. Please use the white gloves enclosed in order to avoid scratches or unwanted fingerprints (platter).
The Innovation Compact turntable requires a space for setup of at least 18.90 inch x 19.29 inch.
Diagram showing required setup space with dimensions: 18.90 inch / 480 mm (width) and 19.29 inch / 490 mm (depth).
Steps:
- First, take out the three black flat pads from the accessory bag. Place these flat pads on your hifi-rack or another suitable base, where the final position of your Innovation Compact turntable will be.
- After that, take the Innovation Compact turntable body from the next packing layer and place the spikes of the turntable on the flat pads. Diagram: Innovation Compact with tonearm base.
- To avoid hum noises, it can be necessary to ground the bearing. For that, please plug in the provided ground cable into the hole of the screw from the bearing at the bottom side of the turntable. Diagram: Grounding the bearing of the Innovation Compact, with a close-up view of the connection point.
- Remove the protective security tape from the bearing housing. Place two drops of the synthetic bearing oil on the ceramic bearing shaft (also available at www.analogshop.de / Art. No. AC068). Diagram: Oiling the bearing shaft.
- In the next step, remove the lamination of the sensor, mounted on the turntable chassis. Please remove the lamination extremely carefully and avoid any soiling and scratches. Diagram: Removing the lamination (indicated by a red frame).
-
6.1) Take the platter with both hands (with white gloves) carefully out of the packing. Please pay attention that the integrated bearing does not fall out of the platter!
The flat side of the platter should face to the chassis and the side with the cut-out (for the record) should face up.
6.2) In the next step, remove the lamination of the sensor on the bottom side of the platter. Please remove the lamination extremely carefully and avoid any soiling and scratches.
6.3) With both hands, you can place the platter carefully onto the bearing. Through a lightly (!!) up and down movement, the platter will slip onto the bearing upper part. Diagram: Setting up the platter.
Avoid major side forces to prevent any damages to the ceramic bearing!
To avoid any damages on your bearing, the platter should have room temperature before the setup begins (approx. 20° Celsius).
Make sure with gentle pressure that the platter is applying on the complete surface of the bearing.
- To install the tonearm and / or to mount and adjust a cartridge, please follow the user manual of the manufacturer.
- The following final adjustment is very important: Please ensure that your turntable rack is in a levelled position. Please check with the delivered level gauge if your Innovation Compact turntable is in a levelled position. You can adjust each of the turntable's feet to get the turntable levelled. Diagram: Alignment of the turntable. To adjust the height, first turn the middle part of the feet (Pic. 10 a; green arrow), then you can twist the end part (Pic. 10 b, red frame) to the desired height. After the adjustment, please make sure to turn the middle part again to fix the selected position. Diagrams: Pic. 10 a: Middle part adjustment. Pic. 10 b: End part adjustment. Only if the turntable is in a levelled position will you get the best results with your Innovation Compact turntable.
- Please connect the plug of the power supply with the linkage of the turntable. After that, connect the power supply with the electric power supply. Diagram: Connection of power supply and motor.
- Place the flat belt around the platter and around the motor pulley. By pushing the sensor-switch, marked with “33 1/3" on the motor, the turntable starts to spin until 33 1/3 rpm is reached. After the initial setup, we recommend to let the turntable spin for at least 15 to 30 minutes. This ensures a smoother break-in.
4. Fine adjustment of the Innovation Compact motor
The motor adjustment is already pre-set at the factory. Through transport, some small speed deviations can occur. Please check the speed before using the turntable for the first time.
For the correct adjustment of the speed, please put the recommended Clearaudio Stroboscope Testrecord on the platter. Follow hereby the instruction of the Stroboscope Testrecord user manual. To check the speed with highest accuracy, please use the Clearaudio Speed Light (Art. No. AC039) (www.analogshop.de).
Diagram: Fine adjustment of the motor (on the frontside), showing the turntable with a red frame highlighting the location of the trimmers.
On the front side of your turntable, there are three setting trimmers:
- Left trimmer = setting 33 1/3 rpm (near turntable motor)
- Middle trimmer = setting 45 rpm
- Right trimmer = setting 78 rpm (near turntable bearing)
If you like to adjust the speed 33 1/3 rpm, take the Aluminum screw driver (see accessories) and turn the left trimmer until you have reached the right speed according to the Stroboscope Testrecord (see user manual Stroboscope Testrecord).
- Turning the trimmer counter clockwise = reduces the turntable speed
- Turning the trimmer clockwise = raises the turntable speed
Please proceed with the speed adjustment for 45 rpm and 78 rpm in the same way!
Please note:
- If the turntable does not reach the correct speed, the sensor or the scale ring could be dirty or dusty. To clean the sensor, please take off the platter very carefully! Clean the sensor and the scale ring with a little isopropyl alcohol and a cotton bud. Be careful and avoid any scratches on the sensor or the scale ring!
- If the motor has further more speed variations, please contact your nearest authorized Clearaudio dealer or directly the Clearaudio factory (address on page 20).
- If the turntable is not in use, disconnect the unit completely from the power supply by removing the main plug from the socket.
Now you are finally ready to play your vinyl records.
We wish you a lot of pleasure with your new Innovation Compact turntable.
5. Troubleshooting
If you have a problem with your Innovation Compact turntable, first check the possible causes to rule out incorrect operation. If the error persists, please contact your dealer!
Never try to open the device and/or repair it yourself; this will void the warranty!
| Error | Cause | Measure |
|---|---|---|
| Device does not work | Is the power cord plugged in? | Check the connection. |
| The tonearm and phono stage are not properly connected. | Check the cable connection between the tonearm and the phono stage. | |
| Is the amp turned on? | Check the power supply to the amplifier. | |
| No sound | The volume on the amplifier/loudspeaker is set too low or on "mute". | Check the volume settings. |
| Is the cartridge protective cap still attached? | Remove the cartridge's protective cap. | |
| Is the tonearm in the raised position? | Lower the tonearm into the lead-in groove. | |
| Is the stylus damaged? | Check the stylus and have the cartridge checked by a specialist if necessary. | |
| Bad sound / noise | Is the record or the stylus dirty or damaged? | Clean the record / or the cartridge. Clearaudio offers many helpful accessories for care and cleaning. In the event of damage, we recommend an assessment by a specialist and, if necessary, an exchange. |
| Is the cartridge properly mounted into the tonearm? | Check the installation using the relevant user manual and correct them if necessary. | |
| Has the tracking force been set too high? | Adjust the tracking force. | |
| Bad sound / noise (cont.) | Is the correct operating mode (MM / MC) set on the amplifier? | Check the settings of your phono stage. |
| The pre/amp does not have enough gain. | Check the settings of your phono stage. | |
| Pre/amp is mismatched. | Swap the plugs of the turntable that are connected to the left and right outputs. | |
| Needle bounces or slides across record | Is the record or the stylus dirty or damaged? | Clean the record / or the cartridge. Clearaudio offers many helpful accessories for care and cleaning. In the event of damage, we recommend an assessment by a specialist and, if necessary, an exchange. |
| Has the tracking force been set too high? | Adjust the tracking force. | |
| Is the record deformed or scratched? | Use a record clamp or replace the record. | |
| Platter does not turn | Is the turntable level? | Check the alignment of the turntable and adjust if necessary. |
| Is the drive belt properly attached? | Check the position of the drive belt. | |
| Is the power cord connected properly? | Check the connection. | |
| No speed was selected / speed selection in position "0"/"OFF". | Select a speed and start the turntable. | |
| Noisy sound | Is the drive belt properly attached? Is it too loose and needs to be changed? | Check the position of the drive belt. |
| Contact problems with the signal connections (e.g. cinch plugs, adapters for extensions) | Check all connections; reduce the level on the (pre-)amplifier to a low volume for acoustic checking of gross errors. | |
| Humming noises | Metal housing acts as an antenna and catches hum. | It can be helpful for conductivity to connect the metal parts of the turntable to the ground of the (phono) preamplifier. The turntable provides a grounding terminal for this purpose. Use a sufficiently thick wire to establish the ground connection. |
| The music doesn't sound like usual | The pickup pins are mixed up, not connected correctly or defective. | Check the pin assignment of the pickup. |
| Wrong speed selected. The turntable is spinning too fast/too slow. | Check the record for recommended speed. There are also records in LP format (30 cm) that have to be played at 45 rpm ("maxi singles") and small records in single format (17 cm) that have to be played at 33 rpm (so-called “EPs”). Adjust the speed according to the operating instructions. |
6. Technical data
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Construction details |
|
| Speed options | 33 1/3, 45, 78rpm |
| Drive unit |
|
| Bearing | Clearaudio CMB ceramic magnetic bearing in main platter / upper drive platter assembly. Inverted bearing in lower drive platter. |
| Platter | 70mm / 2.75 inch main platter, made out of synthetic material with high-density and excellent dimension stability, precision CNC machined surface, solid stainless steel sub-platter, dynamically balanced |
| Speed accuracy (measured) | < ± 0,08% |
| Power consumption | Max. consumption: 9.3 watts Consumption in operation: 2.5 watts Standby mode: 2.5 watts Off mode: 0.0 watts |
| Total weight | Approx. 12kg (without tonearm and power supply) |
| Dimensions (W/D/H) | Approx. 18.11 x 19.09 x 6.18 inches (with tonearm base, without tonearm) |
| Dimensions (W/D/H) | Approx. 460 x 485 x 157mm (with tonearm base, without tonearm) |
| Manufacturer's warranty | 5 years* |
* Provided that the warranty card is correctly completed and returned to Clearaudio, or your product is registered online at https://clearaudio.de/en/service/registration.php, within 14 days of purchase.
Warranty Information
The full, extended warranty period for the Innovation Compact turntable is 5 years. To receive this full Clearaudio warranty, you must either complete and return the relevant section of the warranty registration card to Clearaudio, or register your product online at https://clearaudio.de/en/service/registration.php, within 14 days of purchase. Otherwise, only the legal warranty can be considered.
The full 5-year warranty can only be honoured if the product is returned in its original packing.
ENGLISH WARRANTY
For warranty information, contact your local Clearaudio distributor.
RETAIN YOUR PURCHASE RECEIPT
Your purchase receipt is your permanent record of a valuable purchase. It should be kept in a safe place to be referred to as necessary for insurance purposes or when corresponding with Clearaudio.
IMPORTANT
When seeking warranty service, it is the responsibility of the consumer to establish proof and date of purchase. Your purchase receipt or invoice is adequate for such proof.
FOR U.K. ONLY
This undertaking is in addition to a consumer's statutory rights and does not affect those rights in any way.
Sections in French, German, Dutch, Italian, and Spanish regarding warranty are also included in this document.
Stroboscope Testrecord
The Clearaudio Stroboscope Testrecord satisfies the highest demands for an exact speed adjustment for turntables. Dramatic sound improvements can be reached only with exact calibrated speeds.
- Optimal adjustment for turntables -
To adjust the exact speed, please choose the side for 50 / 60 Hz, or the other side for the use with the speed light first. If you choose the side without the speed light source, you can use the regular light source for the installation, either 50 Hz (outer scales) or 60 Hz. The scales are graduated in three different reading options: 33.3 Hz, 45 Hz and 78 Hz (starting from the outer diameter).
Please place the Stroboscope Testrecord on your turntable platter and start the engine of your turntable. The big advantage of the Clearaudio Stroboscope Testrecord is that you can place your cartridge onto the Stroboscope Testrecord while measuring the speed, as there are grooves provided on the disc. This means, for the first time, a real-time speed analysis is possible under realistic circumstances.
If you have the impression that the horizontal lines move on the scale, you should set or readjust the speed of the motor again.
- If the lines move clockwise, the speed is too fast.
- If the lines move counter clockwise, the motor speed is too slow.
Please correct the speed on your motor or turntable until you have the impression that the lines stopped moving. After that, you have reached the exact speed and you can enjoy the full potential of your vinyl collection again.
Using the Speed Light
If you use the Speed Light (Art. No. AC039), you can reach an even higher or more accurate adjustment, completely independent of the power line or frequency of your country. The 300 Hz calibrated light, used as an external light source, is completely independent from possible power line fluctuations, which could influence the result by regular light. The 300 Hz of the Speed Light are generated by a stabilized quartz oscillator and permit a very exact adjustment.
Please put the Stroboscope Testrecord with the fine lines upward on your turntable. Here you also have the possibility to choose between two different speeds. With the outside scale you can detect the speed of 33 Hz and with the inside scale you can detect the speed of 45 Hz. Again, the big advantage of the Clearaudio Stroboscope Testrecord is that you can place your cartridge onto the stroberecord, while measuring the speed, as there are grooves provided on the disc. This means, for the first time, a real-time speed analysis is possible under realistic circumstances.
Press the button of the speed light source and place it parallel over to the scale and adjust the motor or turntable speed until the horizontal lines do not move anymore.
- Tip -
As more accurate your turntable speed is adjusted, as better the overall sonic appearance of the record playback will be! It is mandatory to check the speed several times through out the year, to ensure that other influences are not minimizing the sound quality.
Technical Data: Speed Light
- Light source: Blue LED / 300 Hz precision light source (calibrated)
- Battery: V23GA – 12 V – Alkaline (Art. No.: AC039/B)
(Technical changes are subject without notification)
