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What You Need to Know
What is the C-Sharp, and what does it do?
The C-Sharp is European Audio Team's most refined "super-flat" turntable — the table that earned The Absolute Sound's 2019 Editors' Choice Award and has been a fixture in audiophile recommended lists ever since. It builds on the C-Major's compact super-flat concept but adds a longer 10" C-Note tonearm, electronic speed change, a heavier and quieter bearing, and a larger, more precise main chassis.
EAT was founded by Jozefina Lichtenegger, whose company combines high-mass platter technology with carbon-fiber and TPE damping in turntables built for serious music listening. The C-Sharp is the slimmest, most elegant expression of that approach.
The C-Sharp is offered in a Black finish — an understated look that lets the engineering speak for itself.
Belt drive, in plain English
The C-Sharp is a belt-drive turntable. The motor doesn't spin the platter directly — it turns a polished anti-static rubber belt connected to the platter. Belt drive isolates the platter from motor vibration, so motor noise stays out of the music. EAT pairs the belt with an ultra-low-noise motor and external power for clean, accurate rotation.
Microprocessor-controlled speed change
Speed selection between 33-1/3 and 45 RPM is electronic — driven by a microprocessor with a separate lighted control panel. No belt-swapping, no pulley fiddling. Press a button and the platter settles into the correct speed.
What about the cartridge?
A phono cartridge is the tiny generator at the end of the tonearm that turns the wiggles in a record groove into an electrical signal. The C-Sharp is offered three ways: with no cartridge, with the EAT Jo No. 5, or with the EAT Jo No. 8.
Both Jo cartridges are moving-coil (MC) designs. MC cartridges generally need a phono stage that supports MC inputs. The Jo No. 5 has a nude Fine Line stylus on an aluminum cantilever in a mint-green polyamide body. The Jo No. 8 moves up to a nude Shibata stylus, boron cantilever, and a solid chestnut wood body for a more refined, more detailed presentation.
Does it have a phono preamp built in?
No — the C-Sharp needs an external phono preamp. A phono stage is a small amplifier that boosts the very quiet signal from a record cartridge up to the level your amp expects. If you choose a Jo cartridge, your phono stage needs to be MC-capable. EAT's own E-Glo series is a natural match.
What are reviewers saying?
The C-Sharp has been widely praised by professional reviewers for its quiet noise floor, rhythmic drive, build quality, and ability to make listening sessions go long. It earned The Absolute Sound's Editors' Choice Award in 2019. See the reviews section further down the page for details.
Who is the C-Sharp for?
- Audiophiles who want a refined, full-size turntable with minimal footprint and serious engineering.
- Listeners stepping up from a good mid-range table who want to hear what world-class platter, bearing, and tonearm design can do for their records.
- Owners of fine MC cartridges who want a stable, near-silent platform that lets the cartridge do its best work.
- Buyers who appreciate clean European industrial design and want a table that looks as composed as it sounds.
Pairs Well With
Building your vinyl system? Here are some great companions for the C-Sharp:
- An MC-capable phono preamp. Both Jo cartridges are moving-coil. EAT's own E-Glo series is voiced to complement the C-Sharp. Browse phono preamps.
- A high-end MC cartridge. If you want to start without a cartridge or upgrade later, we carry a full range of MM and MC options. Browse cartridges.
- An audiophile rack. A turntable this resolving deserves a stable platform. Browse audio racks.
- Record cleaning gear. Cleaner records hear what the C-Sharp can do. Browse record cleaning machines and accessories.
- An integrated amplifier. If you don't yet have an amp with the right inputs, our integrated amplifier section is a good place to start.
Features & Specifications
"Super-flat" carbon-fiber sandwich subchassis
The C-Sharp's low-profile base is high-density MDF. On top of it, a sandwich subchassis of carbon fiber and MDF composite provides an ultra-rigid platform for the bearing, platter, and tonearm. Carbon fiber gives stiffness; MDF gives damping; together they keep the platform quiet and stable.
Ten TPE damping feet
Where many turntables use three or four feet, the C-Sharp uses ten cone-shaped damping feet made of TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) — an energy-absorbing material that soaks up vibration. The TPE columns prevent motor noise and surface vibration from entering the subchassis, the tonearm, and ultimately the cartridge.
Oversized inverted bearing with 1.5-lb. mass point
The C-Sharp uses an oversized inverted bearing with a hard, inert ceramic ball on top. Around the bearing, a super-heavy 1.5-pound mass point absorbs stray vibration and turns it into harmless heat. The stiff carbon subchassis directs vibration to this mass point rather than to the record.
Damped aluminum platter, anti-static belt
The platter is a special inert aluminum alloy with TPE inserts for further damping. The belt is a polished, anti-static rubber loop tuned for clean, low-noise speed delivery.
10" carbon-fiber EAT C-Note tonearm
The C-Sharp's 10" C-Note tonearm combines a uni-pivot bearing (low pivot-point friction) with a Cardan-style bearing (high stability). Inside the arm, a silicon-based lubricant damps tonearm and cartridge resonance by more than 50%. The arm tube is carbon fiber for stiffness; the headshell is a lightweight, rigid aluminum for damping and precise high-end MC cartridge mounting.
Microprocessor speed control with separate lighted panel
An external DC power supply with an AC generator delivers clean motor power. Speed is selected electronically — switched by microprocessor — via a separate lighted control panel that lets you place the speed controls anywhere convenient.
Cartridge options: EAT Jo No. 5 or Jo No. 8
- EAT Jo No. 5 (MC): Nude Fine Line stylus on aluminum cantilever; polyamide ceramic body produced by Selective Laser Sintering (SLS); 4N pure copper coils; 0.3 mV output; recommended tracking force 2.3 g; recommended load 20 ohms.
- EAT Jo No. 8 (MC): Nude Shibata stylus on a boron cantilever in a solid chestnut wood body; "8-Nines" pure copper coils; 0.3 mV output; recommended tracking force 2.0 g; recommended load > 15 ohms.
Quick-Reference Specifications
| Drive System | |
|---|---|
| Drive Type | Belt drive |
| Speeds | 33-1/3 and 45 RPM (electronic, microprocessor-controlled) |
| Speed Variance | 33 RPM: ± < 0.08%; 45 RPM: ± < 0.09% |
| Signal-to-Noise | −40 dB (mechanical) / −70 dB (electrical) |
| Platter & Bearing | |
| Platter | Damped inert aluminum alloy with TPE inserts |
| Bearing | Oversized inverted, ceramic ball, 1.5-lb. mass point |
| Belt | Polished anti-static rubber |
| Tonearm | |
| Type | EAT C-Note, uni-pivot with Cardan bearing |
| Effective Length | 10" (254 mm) |
| Effective Mass | 16.5 g (0.58 oz.) |
| Overhang | 0.63" (16 mm) |
| Downforce Range | 0 – 30 mN |
| Counterweights Supplied | 125 g (5–9 g cartridges); 142 g with insert (8.5–13 g cartridges) |
| Cartridge | |
| Included / Optional | EAT Jo No. 5 (MC), EAT Jo No. 8 (MC), or no cartridge |
| Cartridge Type | Moving Coil (both Jo options) |
| Recommended Tracking Force | Jo No. 5: 2.3 g · Jo No. 8: 2.0 g |
| Phono Stage | |
| Built-in? | No — external MC-capable phono stage required for Jo cartridges |
| Connections | |
| Tonearm Output | RCA (L/R) with ground wire |
| Speed Control Panel | Separate lighted control panel (1.1 lbs.) |
| Build & Isolation | |
| Chassis | High-density MDF base with carbon fiber / MDF sandwich subchassis |
| Feet | 10 cone-shaped TPE damping feet |
| Power | |
| Power Supply | External universal switch-mode (15 V DC / 1.6 A; 90–264 V AC, 47–63 Hz) |
| Power Consumption | 8.5 W max / 0.5 W standby |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) | 19.7" × 15.7" × 4.5" (500 × 399 × 114 mm), without connectors |
| Weight | 29.7 lbs. (13.5 kg) + 1.1 lbs. (0.5 kg) separate control panel |
| Finish | |
| Available Finish | Black |
What's in the Box
- EAT C-Sharp turntable (Black) with 10" C-Note tonearm pre-fitted
- Aluminum platter
- Anti-static drive belt
- External DC power supply
- Separate lighted speed-control panel
- RCA tonearm cable with ground wire
- Counterweights: 125 g (5–9 g cartridges) and 142 g with insert (8.5–13 g cartridges)
- EAT Jo No. 5 or Jo No. 8 cartridge (if ordered with one of those configurations)
- User manual
- 2-year manufacturer warranty
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the C-Sharp come with a cartridge?
It can — you choose. The C-Sharp is sold three ways: without a cartridge, with the EAT Jo No. 5 MC, or with the EAT Jo No. 8 MC. If your preferred option isn't shown on the product page, call us at 800-942-0220 and we'll quote it.
Do I need a phono preamp?
Yes. The C-Sharp doesn't have a built-in phono stage, so you'll need an external phono preamp between the turntable and your amp. If you choose a Jo cartridge, your phono stage needs MC support. We're happy to help you match one to your system.
How hard is it to set up?
Plan on about 45 to 60 minutes for first-time setup — placing the platter, belt, balancing the tonearm, and aligning the cartridge. If you order with a Jo cartridge factory-installed, alignment is done for you. Give us a call and we'll walk you through it.
Can I upgrade the cartridge later?
Absolutely. The C-Note tonearm's aluminum headshell accepts a wide range of MC and MM cartridges from about 5 to 13 grams (with the supplied counterweights). Many owners start with one configuration and step up later.
What's the difference between the C-Sharp and the C-Major?
The C-Sharp is the larger, more refined of the two. It uses a 10" tonearm (vs. the C-Major's 9"), microprocessor-controlled electronic speed change with a separate lighted panel (vs. manual), a heavier bearing mass point, and ten TPE damping feet (vs. three cones on the C-Major). Both share the "super-flat" carbon-fiber sandwich subchassis concept.
What's the difference between the C-Sharp and the C-Dur?
The C-Sharp uses a slim "super-flat" carbon-fiber subchassis. The C-Dur is mass-loaded with a 2"-thick MDF plinth and a 4-pound bearing block — a heavier approach to the same goal of low resonance. Both use the 10" C-Note tonearm. The C-Sharp is lighter and slimmer; the C-Dur is heavier and more imposing.
Will it work with my receiver or amp?
If your amp has a moving-coil-capable phono input, yes — just plug in. If it has only a line-level or MM-only phono input, you'll add an external MC-capable phono stage between the turntable and the amp. Call us if you'd like help confirming compatibility.
What's the warranty?
The C-Sharp is covered by a 2-year parts-and-labor manufacturer warranty from European Audio Team.
See It in Action
A detailed review of the EAT C-Sharp turntable covering build, setup, and listening impressions.
A 360-degree visual tour of the C-Sharp's chassis, tonearm, bearing, and lighted control panel.
What the Reviewers Are Saying
Andre Jennings at The Absolute Sound (March 2019) found the C-Sharp delivered "head-bopping drive and remarkable timing," praising excellent speed stability and a faultless drive system — the basis for its 2019 Editors' Choice Award.
Robert H. Levi at Positive Feedback (January 2018) called the C-Sharp turntable and arm combination "potentially state-of-the-art phono playback" for the money, giving it his highest recommendation for the price tier.
Herb Reichert at Stereophile reported that the C-Sharp's sound was "hauntingly solid and naturally quiet," noting its presentation in a show-floor demonstration.
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