Clearaudio concept mc / essence mc User Manual

Introduction

Dear Clearaudio customer,

Thank you for choosing a high-quality audio product from Clearaudio electronic GmbH. Clearaudio's MC cartridges are designed and meticulously handcrafted in Germany to deliver excellence in sound. We have been at the forefront of research into moving coil technology since 1978, and our ongoing research and development ensures that all of our cartridges remain at the leading edge of analogue engineering.

The concept mc and essence mc combine timeless design with the latest moving coil innovations.

Please note: This user manual gives you valuable information for the correct installation of your cartridge. For fine adjustment, however, we can only provide general guidelines, since optimal adjustment will depend on your specific tonearm and turntable.

We wish you much musical enjoyment with your new MC cartridge. Clearaudio electronic GmbH

CAUTION: NOT SUITABLE FOR SHELLAC RECORDS (78rpm).

This phono cartridge is only for mounting on tonearms and must not be used for other purposes.

Included Accessories

• Allen key 2mm
• Cartridge mounting screws (2pcs. M2.5 x 6mm; 2 pcs. M2.5 x 10mm)
• User manual
• Warranty card
• Return delivery note

Additional analogue accessories are available at: www.analogshop.de

The following are recommended:

• Clearaudio Test Record (Art. No. LP43033)
• Clearaudio Break-In Test Record (Art. No. BIN070904)
• Clearaudio Setting Template (Art. No. AC005/IEC)
• Clearaudio Stylus Gauge (Art. No. AC094)
• Clearaudio Weight Watcher touch (Art. No. AC163)
• Clearaudio Elixir of Sound (Art. No. AC003)
• Clearaudio Diamond cleaner brush (Art. No. AC014)

Mounting Procedure

Take the cartridge out of the packaging. To avoid damage, we recommend leaving the stylus guard on the cartridge while mounting the cartridge onto the tonearm.

Use the screws provided to mount your Clearaudio MC cartridge (the cartridge threads in the body comply with the metric standard for M 2.5mm screws and have the standard spacing of 12.7mm).

Be careful not to over-tighten the screws as they may strip the threaded holes.

Now connect the pins of your Clearaudio cartridge to the jacks of the headshell or tonearm cable, taking care not to use too much force.

If necessary, you can use suitable precision pliers or tweezers for assistance.

Please note the colour coding below in order to ensure the correct phase in music playback, otherwise an audible sound deterioration would result.

Pic. 1: Colour marking of the signal pins

• Left output (L+): white
• Left ground: blue
• Right output (R+): red
• Right ground: green

We recommend the following order of assembly:

1. Mount the MC cartridge into the tonearm.
2. Connect the tonearm or turntable ground with the preamplifier ground (before plugging in the electrical power supply).
3. Plug the tonearm cable into the phono inputs of your preamplifier.
4. Turn down the volume control to a minimum position (position 0).
5. Plug the mains power cord into your electrical power supply.

Our tip for mounting the cartridge: Choose a bright workplace and good tools, and take your time so you can concentrate.

Adjustment of the Tracking Force

Carefully remove the stylus guard from the cartridge by grasping it with your thumb and forefinger and gently pulling it forward.

The correct tracking force of your cartridge can be found in the technical data in this user manual.

Please only use these values, since if the tracking force is too light (1g or less) the cartridge could jump out of the record groove and damage the needle.

However, you should never set a tracking force of more than 5g as this could cause damage to the diamond and thus to the cartridge.

In the event that it is not possible to set the optimal tracking force due the cartridge being too light, you should use a spacer plate available from your Clearaudio importer/dealer.

Further valuable information for the correct adjustment of your cartridge can be found in the respective user manual of the turntable and/or tonearm manufacturer.

Special Instructions

• Before playing a record, please remove all dust and dirt from the record's surface using a quality cleaning device. For the best results, a record cleaning machine should be used. Ask your dealer about Clearaudio's record cleaning machines.
• Always keep the stylus tip clean. When dirt is allowed to build up and records are played with a dirty or clogged stylus, a buzzing noise may be heard. Use a soft brush or a high-quality cleaning brush or Clearaudio cleaning fluid (Art. No. AC003) to clean the stylus tip. Be extremely careful and always brush only from back to front. When using a liquid e.g. from Clearaudio or other organic cleaner, always take care not to spill any on the cartridge body. Make sure the liquid only contacts the stylus tip or boron cantilever. Avoid storing the cartridge near devices with electrical transformers and motors that can generate magnetic fields. Any demagnetization could lead to a loss of the output voltage and thus to a distortion or deterioration of the sound.
• Please note: Never disconnect your tonearm cable from your pre-amplifier while your unit is still on. Please switch your pre-amplifier off before starting to disconnecting your tonearm connectors from the phono inputs of your pre-amplifier.
• Always use the original packaging when shipping the cartridge and secure the stylus guard with a rubber band.
• If any service or repair to a Clearaudio product is necessary, please contact your dealer / distributor. Clearaudio can advise you of your nearest service location.

IMPORTANT - please note:

Do not try to remove the stylus assembly yourself. Please contact your dealer / distributor.

Any damage caused by failure to follow the advice given in the Clearaudio user manual will invalidate the product warranty. Clearaudio will assume no liability for any such damage.

PLEASE RETAIN ALL ORIGINAL PACKAGING.

You will need it if this unit has to be transported and/or shipped. Any further questions you may have about your product should be directed to your dealer or distributor.

Clearaudio wish you a much enjoyment of your music!

Technical Data

*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 after purchase.

Warranty Information

The full, extended warranty period for the concept mc / essence mc cartridge is 2 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 of 1 year can be considered. The full 2-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.

FRANÇAIS GARANTIE
Pour des informations sur la garantie, contacter le distributeur local Clearaudio.
CONSERVER L'ATTESTATION D'ACHAT
L'attestation d'achat est la preuve permanente d'un achat de valeur. La conserver en lieu sûr pour s'y reporter aux fins d'obtention d'une couverture d'assurance ou dans le cadre de correspondances avec Clearaudio.
IMPORTANT
Pour l'obtention d'un service couvert par la garantie, il incombe au client d'établir la preuve de l'achat et d'en corroborer la date. Le reçu ou la facture constituent des preuves suffisantes.

DEUTSCH GARANTIE
Bei Garantiefragen wenden Sie sich bitte zunächst an Ihren Clearaudio Händler. Heben Sie Ihren Kaufbeleg gut auf.
WICHTIG!
Die Angaben auf Ihrer Quittung erlauben uns die Identifizierung Ihres Gerätes und belegen mit dem Kaufdatum die Dauer Ihrer Garantie-Ansprüche. Für Serviceleistungen benötigen wir stets die Gerätenummer. Diese finden Sie auf dem Typenschild auf der Rückseite des Gerätes oder auch in der beigefügten Garantie-Registrierkarte.

NEDERLANDS GARANTIE
Voor inlichtingen omtrent garantie dient u zich tot uw plaatselijke Clearaudio.
UW KWITANTIE, KASSABON E.D. BEWAREN
Uw kwitantie, kassabon e.d. vormen uw bewijs van aankoop van een waardevol artikel en dienen op een veilige plaats bewaard te worden voor evt, verwijzing bijv, in verbend met verzekering of bij correspondentie met Clearaudio.
BELANGRIJK
Bij een evt, beroep op de garantie is het de verantwoordelijkheid van de consument een gedateerd bewijs van aankoop te tonen. Uw kassabon of factuur zijn voldoende bewijs.

ITALIANO GARANZIA
L'apparecchio è coperto da una garanzia di buon funzionamento della durata di un anno, o del periodo previsto dalla legge, a partire dalla data di acquisto comprovata da un documento attestante il nominativo del Rivenditore e la data di vendita. La garanzia sarà prestata con la sostituzione o la riparazione gratuita delle parti difettose. Non sono coperti da garanzia difetti derivanti da uso improprio, errata installazione, manutenzione effettuata da personale non autorizzato o, comunque, da circostanze che non possano riferirsi a difetti di funzionamento dell'apparecchio. Sono inoltre esclusi dalla garanzia gli interventi inerenti l'installazione e l'allacciamento agli impianti di alimentazione. Gli apparecchi verranno riparati presso i nostri Centri di Assistenza Autorizzati. Le spese ed i rischi di trasporto sono a carico del cliente. La casa costruttrice declina ogni responsabilità per danni diretti o indiretti provocati dalla inosservanza delle prescrizioni di installazione, uso e manutenzione dettagliate nel presente manuale o per guasti dovuti ad uso continuato a fini professionali.

ESPAÑOL GARANTÍA
Para obtener información acerca de la garantia póngase en contacto con su distribuidor Clearaudio.
GUARDE SU RECIBO DE COMPRA
Su recibo de compra es su prueba permanente de haber adquirido un aparato de valor. Este recibo deberá guardarlo en un lugar seguro y utilizarlo como referencia cuando tenga que hacer uso del seguro o se ponga en contacto con Clearaudio.
IMPORTANTE
Cuando solicite el servicio otorgado por la garantia el usuario tiene la responsabilidad de demonstrar cuándo efectuó la compra. En este caso, su recibo de compra será la prueba apropiada.