Clearaudio Compass Turntable - N1 MM Cartridge - Silver

A Turntable, Tonearm and Cartridge Built to Work Together

The Clearaudio Compass is a complete vinyl front end. A resonance-controlled chassis, an aluminum T1 tonearm, and Clearaudio's own N1 moving-magnet cartridge all come engineered together, not assembled from separate parts. The T1 and N1 arrive factory-installed and aligned.

A rigid MDF chassis with a steel bottom plate and decoupling feet keeps outside vibration from reaching the cartridge. The 20mm acrylic platter and precision main bearing turn on a flat belt driven by a 12V DC motor.

The Compass has no built-in phono preamp and switches speed electronically rather than by moving a belt. It ships in Black or Silver, with a matching acrylic dust cover included.

Where the Factory-Matched Cartridge Earns Its Keep

A Resonance-Controlled Chassis, Not Just a Heavy One

The MDF chassis and steel bottom plate add real mass, but the point is control, not weight for its own sake. Decoupling elements underneath isolate the whole assembly from the shelf it sits on. At 8.4kg (about 18.5lb), the Compass feels substantial without being hard to place.

The T1 tonearm derives from Clearaudio's more premium Satisfy Kardan design. It uses a one-piece aluminum arm tube and a radial, pivoted tracking geometry. A thread-and-weight anti-skate system rounds out the arm, and the cartridge itself can be swapped on the headshell.

The N1 Cartridge and a Precision Bearing Underneath

The N1 moving-magnet cartridge uses an aluminum body and cantilever with an elliptical stylus, rated at about 2.9mV into a standard 47k-ohm load. Its stylus is user-replaceable, so routine maintenance doesn't mean sending the whole cartridge back to the factory.

Under the acrylic platter, a tempered steel spindle rides in a bronze bushing with a Teflon thrust pad. A flat belt from a 12V DC motor drives it. The result is smooth, quiet rotation with 33⅓ and 45rpm selected electronically at a rear switch.

What Reviewers Are Saying

What Hi-Fi?'s Harry McKerrell (November 18, 2025) called the Compass "a really solid turntable," praising its "ample sonic talents and (generally) high standard of construction" with scores of 4/5 for Sound, Build, and Features.

The Ear's Chris Kelly (March 16, 2026) wrote that "the Clearaudio Compass turntable system is a fine music maker and represents extraordinarily good value for money," adding that "it feels well engineered" and "it sounds good."

Kelly's one practical note: no printed manual ships in the box. First-time setup means downloading the instructions from Clearaudio's own site rather than reading a booklet in hand.

Who Is This Turntable Best For?

• You want tonearm and cartridge already matched and mounted — the T1 tonearm and N1 cartridge are set up and ready at the factory, not sourced and matched by hand
• You want a turntable two independent reviewers actually rated well — What Hi-Fi? scored it 4/5 across Sound, Build, and Features, and The Ear called it "extraordinarily good value for money"
• You want a real choice of finishes — Black or Silver, both with a matching tonearm and cartridge body
• You'd rather flip a switch than move a belt — 33⅓ and 45rpm are selected electronically at a switch on the underside of the unit
• You want to choose your own phono stage — the Compass sends a pure phono signal out to the phono stage you prefer

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Connect the attached RCA cables and ground lead to a moving-magnet phono input. If your amp has no phono input, use a separate MM phono preamp instead. Never connect the Compass straight into a standard line-level input.

Setup includes fitting the belt, platter, counterweight, and anti-skate assembly, then verifying the N1's tracking force at the recommended 2.2g with the included gauge. Give it a rigid, level surface at least 17.1in wide by 13.4in deep.

Two cables, one phono input, and you are playing records.

Pairs Well With

What finishes the system around a Clearaudio Compass:

• Phono preamplifiers — required if your amplifier has no built-in MM phono input
• Integrated amplifiers — look for one with a built-in MM phono stage to skip a separate box
• Turntable accessories — mats, levels, and clamps for getting the most from this setup
• Audio racks — a firm, level, vibration-free shelf a turntable actually needs

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Compass include a cartridge?

Yes. It includes Clearaudio's own N1 moving-magnet cartridge, installed and aligned at the factory.

Which finishes are available?

Black or Silver, both with a matching tonearm and cartridge body.

Does it have a built-in phono preamp?

It needs a moving-magnet phono input on your amp or receiver, or a separate MM phono preamp. There is no phono preamp built in.

How do I change between 33⅓ and 45rpm?

A recessed electronic switch on the underside of the unit handles it. The drive belt never needs to be moved.

Is a dust cover included?

Yes, a removable acrylic dust cover with hinges ships with every Compass.

Is the N1 stylus replaceable?

Yes. The N1 uses a user-replaceable stylus, so routine maintenance doesn't require sending the cartridge back to the factory.

See It in Action

hxos plus takes a quick look at the Compass:

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Learn More

Want to learn more about turntable setup, phono preamps, or getting the most from a belt-drive turntable? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.