Clearaudio Universal Series User manual

Hi-Fi Components clearaudio electronic® GmbH
Spardorfer Str. 150 ●D-91054 Erlangen ●Tel. [phone] ●FAX [phone]
www.clearaudio.de ●www.analogshop.de ●[email protected] / copyright clearaudio2012
Version 1.6_22.02.2012_E+D
Universal tonearm with
VTA-Lifter (optional)
Universal Tonarm mit
VTA-Lifter (optional)
U
Un ni iv ve er rs sa al l / / U Un ni iv ve er rs sa al l 1 12 2” ”
Radial tonearm / Drehtonarm
User manual
Bedienungsanleitung

Universal 9“ / 12“
User manual / Bedienungsanleitung
Seite/Page 2 clearaudio electronic GmbH 2012
Dear audio enthusiast,
Congratulations ! You have purchased one of the best radial tonearm`s available in the
World of High-End Audio. The
Universal (optional: with VTA – Lifter and / or Universal 12”)
tonearm is manufactured to the highest degree of tolerance and quality.
This genius tonearm comes with high precision bearings with lowest possible bearing
clearance and with many options of fine adjustments of vertical tracking force (VTF), vertical
tracking adjustment (VTA) and the Azimuth.
To achieve the full performance and to avoid any damages to this product, please take your
time to get familiar with your clearaudio
Universal tonearm.
Please enjoy listening to music with the
Universal – tonearm!
Your clearaudio - team
CE-MARKING
COPYRIGHT
Recording and playback of any material may require consent. For further information refer to
the following:
-Copyright Act 1956
-Dramatic and Musical Performers Act 1958
-Performers Protection Acts 1963 and 1972
-Any subsequent statutory enactments and orders
Warnings
Do not expose the equipment to rain or moisture.
Do not remove the cover from the equipment.
No naked flame sources, such as lighted candles, should be placed on the equipment.

Universal 9“ / 12“
User manual / Bedienungsanleitung
Seite/Page 3 clearaudio electronic GmbH 2012
Usermanual 4–11
Montageanleitung 12-21
Contents
1. Parts list 4
2. Universal – tonearm mounting 5
3. Universal – tonearm adjustments 8
4. Service 10
5. Technical data 11
Warranty information 22

Universal 9“ / 12“
User manual / Bedienungsanleitung
Seite/Page 4 clearaudio electronic GmbH 2012
1. Parts list
The clearaudio Universal tonearm is delivered in a customized packing to ensure its safe
transport.
Please check the contents as shown in the pictures below:
Packing list for Universal tonearm (9” and 12”) (optional: with VTA-Lifter):
Recommended tools for most precise adjustment:
• clearaudio Cartridge alignment gauge (Art. No: AC005 / IEC)
• clearaudio Weight Watcher (Art. No.: AC094)
Available at www.analogshop.de
1. Universal tonearm (optional:
with pre-assembled VTA-
Lifter
Universal tonearm
base)
5. Universal tonearm base and screws:
- 2 x M6 x 8 (Stainless steel)
- 3 x M4 x 10
2. 3 x allen wrench
(#1,5 and # 2, # 3)
6. Paper alignment gauge
3. Counterweights for
Universal 9 “::
- 18.3 gram (Aluminium)
- 31.5 gram (Aluminium)
- 49 gram (Stainless steel)
- 66 gram (Stainless steel)
- 85 gram (Stainless steel)
Counterweight for
Universal 12”:
- 49 gram (Stainless steel)
- 66 gram (Stainless steel)
- 85 gram (Stainless steel)
7. Not shown: Warranty card,
clearaudio Quality Card, user
manual, sales return paper
4. Aluminium screw driver
Pic. 1a: Part list with VTA-Lifter
(Picture similar)

Universal 9“ / 12“
User manual / Bedienungsanleitung
Seite/Page 5 clearaudio electronic GmbH 2012
2. Universal (9” and 12”) – tonearm mounting
Please keep in mind that the following instructions are covering the mount of the
Universal tonearm on any clearaudio turntable. Installation on other brand turntables is
possible but not covered in this manual.
Please refer to the turntable manufacturer´s user manual.
2.1 Universal tonearm with VTA – Lifter:
1).
Slide the VTA-Lifter into the drilling of the tonearm base. Lock the VTA-Lifter with the screws
on the side of the tonearm base (pic. 3 and 4).
To adjust the height of the tonearm in the
VTA-Lifter lift the VTA-Lifter up and loosen the
screws.
After adjustment of the tonearm height tighten
the screw again.
Pic. 2: Universal with VTA-Lifter
Pic. 3: Set-up of tonearm base with VTA-Lifter
Pic. 4: Adjustment of the height of tonearm with VTA-Lifter

Universal 9“ / 12“
User manual / Bedienungsanleitung
Seite/Page 6 clearaudio electronic GmbH 2012
2.)
To adjust the pivot of the tonearm clearaudio recommends the clearaudio IEC alignment
gauge (Art. No.: AC005 / IEC; also available at www.analogshop.de).
Make sure that the distance from the spindle to the pivot point (center) of the tonearm (9 “)
is exact 222 mm (for Universal 12” = 295 mm). When moving the armboard in one or
another direction you can set the correct distance. After distance is adjusted, tighten the
screws of the armboard.
Pic. 5a: Distance from spindle to pivot 222 mm / Universal 9”
Pic. 5b: Distance from spindle to pivot 295 mm / Universal 12”
Adjustment of the tonearm height with VTA – Lifter:
Please follow hereby the user manual of the VTA – Lifter.
The height of the tonearm ist adjusted correct, if the upper side of the mounted cartridge is
parallel to the surface of the record (when the cartridge is lifted down).
222 mm
295 mm

Universal 9“ / 12“
User manual / Bedienungsanleitung
Seite/Page 7 clearaudio electronic GmbH 2012
2.2 Universal tonearm without VTA-Lifter:
1.)
Tighten the mounting plate for the
Universal tonearm with the screws onto the mounted
tonearm base. Please take the delivered screws.
Feed the tonearm cable through the mounting plate and slide the tonearm feet through the
drilling of the mounting plate.
2.)
To adjust the pivot of the tonearm clearaudio
recommends the clearaudio IEC alignment gauge
(Art. No.: AC005 / IEC; also available at
www.analogshop.de).
Make sure that the distance from the spindle to the
pivot point (center) of the tonearm is exact 222 mm
(Universal 9”) or 295 mm (Universal 12”).
When moving the armboard in one or another direction
you can set the correct distance. After distance is
adjusted, tighten the screw of the armboard.
Pic. 6 Universal tonearm without VTA-Lifter
Pic. 7 Placing the tonearm
Pic. 8 Distance from spindle to the pivot (222 mm/ 295 mm)
222 mm
(Universal 9“)
295 mm
(Universal 12“)

Universal 9“ / 12“
User manual / Bedienungsanleitung
Seite/Page 8 clearaudio electronic GmbH 2012
Adjustment of the tonearm height without VTA – Lifter:
By loosen the screws on the side of the mounting plate you can adjust the height of the
tonearm.
The height of the tonearm is adjusted correct, when the upper side of the mounted cartridge
is parallel to the surface of the record (when the cartridge is lifted down).
3. Universal – tonearm adjustments
The now following adjustments require an already mounted cartridge on the headshell.
Therefore please follow the instructions in the users manual of the cartridge manufacture.
Please handle with care!
3.1 Adjustment of the Tracking force
1.)
Set up one of the four delivered counterweights onto the bronze nut of the tonearm tube and
tighten it on the bottom side.
Adjusting tracking force is accomplished by moving the counter weight towards or away from
the pivot point on the shaft.
3.2 Azimuth adjustment (vertical needle-position in the groove)
2.)
The Azimuth is already pre-adjusted, when the
Universal tonearm has left our factory:
If you need to change the Azimuth, please loosen the screw on the side of the tonearm
headshell. Now you can change the Azimuth.
After the adjustment is finished, lock the srew in the headshell again.
Green arrowhead = slower anti-skating
Red arrowhead = stronger anti-skating
Pic. 9 Adjusting tracking force
Pic. 10 Ad
j
ustment of the Azimuth

Universal 9“ / 12“
User manual / Bedienungsanleitung
Seite/Page 9 clearaudio electronic GmbH 2012
Classification counterweights to different cartridges (at tracking force 2.8 gram)
for Universal 9 “ :
Counterweights in gram: Range of adjustable cartridge weights:
From... ...to
18.3 gram (Aluminium) 2.9 gram 5.3 gram
31.5 gram (Aluminium) 5.1 gram 8.9 gram
49.0 gram (Stainless steel) 7.7 gram 14.9 gram
66.0 gram (Stainless steel) 11.2 gram 19.9 gram
85.0 gram (Stainless steel) 15.0 gram 24.8 gram
Classification counterweights to different cartridges (at tracking force 2.8 gram)
for Universal 12 “ :
Counterweights in gram: Range of adjustable cartridge weights:
From... ...to
49.0 gram 2.9 gram 11.3 gram
66.0 gram 5.6 gram 16.2 gram
85.0 gram 8.5 gram 21.0 gram
3.3 Antiskating adjustment
By turning the antiskating – screw (see red box on picture 11 you can adjust the antiskating.
The adjustment also depends on the tracking force of the cartridge.
Picture 1 Picture 2 Picture 3
(minimal antiskating) (medium antiskating) (maximum antiskating)
The general set-up is now finished.
Clearaudio wishes you a lot of pleasure with your new Universal tonearm!
Pic. 11 Adjustment of the antiskating
Adjustement antiskating: Tracking force Position of antiskating screw
Minimal antiskating →10-15mN →see picture 1
Medium antiskating →15-20mN →see picture 2
Maximum antiskating →20mN and more →see picture 3

Universal 9“ / 12“
User manual / Bedienungsanleitung
Seite/Page 10 clearaudio electronic GmbH 2012
4. Service
If any service or repair on all clearaudio products is necessary, please contact your dealer /
distributor or contact clearaudio directly. We will inform you about your nearest service
location.
PLEASE RETAIN ALL ORIGINAL PACKAGING. You will need it if this unit has to be
transported and/or shipped.
clearaudio electronic GmbH
Spardorfer Str 150
91054 Erlangen
Germany
Tel/Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone] / 51683
www.clearaudio.de
www.analogshop.de
[email protected]