clearaudio Satisfy Kardan Carbon User Manual
- June 9, 2024
- clearaudio
Table of Contents
- Safety instructions
- List of components
- Mounting the tonearm base
- Mounting the Satisfy Kardan tonearm
- Adjustment of the distance between spindle and pivot point
- Adjustment of the tonearm
- Troubleshooting
- Technical details
- Support
- References
- Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
- Download This Manual (PDF format)
clearaudio Satisfy Kardan Carbon User Manual
Dear Clearaudio customer,
Thank you for your decision to purchase a Satisfy Kardan tonearm from Clearaudio. This tonearm is manufactured to the highest degree of tolerance and quality.
The Satisfy Kardan is available with Carbon fibre, Aluminum black or Aluminum silver tonearm tube.
This product has been developed with a focus on excellent quality, functionality and ease of use.Please take a moment to read this product manual to ensure correct set-up and to avoid any possible damage.
Clearaudio wishes you much enjoyment with your new Satisfy Kardan tonearm.
Clearaudio electronic GmbH
Safety instructions
-
General information
Check the tonearm for any damage before using it. Do not connect the tonearm if damaged!
Never connect the tonearm if it has been dropped or gotten wet, contact your dealer to have the tonearm checked.
Never expose the tonearm to rain or moisture.
The inside of the tonearm is maintenance free. Never open the case or attempt to repair the unit yourself, since this can lead to loss of warranty!
Before using the tonearm for the first time or after a long period of inactivity the lift must be operated approx. 4-5 times to loosen the grease in the tonearm lift to lower the lift bar evenly again. -
Intended use
The Satisfy Kardan is a tonearm for playing music and is intended exclusively for use on turntables.
Only use the Satisfy Kardan tonearm in accordance with the information provided in the user manual. -
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). -
Maintenance
We recommend that you move the tonearm lift at regular intervals to keep the bearing grease supple and to prevent the tonearm from getting stuck during playback if you do not use your Clearaudio tonearm for a longer period.
Never use aggressive cleaning agents.
Do not use dry cloths for cleaning as this generates static electricity. Suitable cleaning and care products from Clearaudio are available at www.analogshop.de or from specialist retailers.
Only use a soft cloth with a smooth surface or a soft brush for cleaning. -
Health information
Permanently high volume can lead to various types of hearing damage. Use high volume responsibly! -
Service
The Satisfy Kardan tonearm 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 retailer.
If, despite the high production standard, a service is necessary, the Satisfy Kardan tonearm must be send to Clearaudio through your dealer. -
Transport
Use the original packing material for further transportation of the Satisfy Kardan tonearm, 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. -
Disposal
Do not dispose this product together with other waste. WEEE Reg. No.: DE26004446 -
CE Marking
This electronic product corresponds to the applicable guidelines for obtaining the CE mark.
List of components
The Clearaudio Satisfy Kardan tonearm is delivered in a customized packing to ensure its safe transport.
Please retain the original packaging for any future potential transportation and shipping.
Please see the list below to check the contents of your Clearaudio Satisfy
Kardan tonearm.
Pic. 1: Package content (Pic. similar)
1.| Satisfy Kardan tonearm| 5.| Screws:
- 3 x hex screw M4 x 10
- 1 x grub screw M6 x 8 (not shown)
---|---|---|---
2.| Clearaudio tonearm base| 6.| Paper tonearm alignment (not
shown)
3.| Satisfy Kardan counterweight (not pre-mounted)| 7.| User
manual, Quality Certificate, Warranty card and return delivery note (not
shown)
4.| Hex wrench:
– # 1.5
– # 2.5
– # 3
Screwdriver| |
Recommended Tools:
- Clearaudio Cartridge alignment gauge (Art. No. AC005/IEC)
- Clearaudio Weight Watcher touch (Art. No. AC163)
- Clearaudio Mini Level Gauge (Art. No. AK001)
This items and more accessories are available through your dealer or at www.analogshop.de.
Mounting the tonearm base
Mounting the tonearm base on the Clearaudio Performance DC or Ovation turntable.
Please check if the correct tonearm base is mounted on your turntable (Pic. 2).
If the wrong tonearm base is mounted place the turntable on the edge of a table or similar surface to gain access to the tonearm base from below.
Remove the tonearm base by loosening the six M4 x 35mm screws with a hex wrench on the bottom side of the clamping ring.
Exchange the tonearm base and loosely tighten the screws to keep the tonearm base rotatable. Please ensure the perfect location of the base.
Pic. 2: Tonearm base for Performance DC & Ovation (Art. No. AC031-4)
Mounting the clamping ring on a other manufacturers’ turntables
Drill three holes into the turntable chassis to mount the aluminium clamping ring.
Use the measurements given in the drawing template below to ensure the correct position of the three holes (Pic. 3).
Use a 3.3mm drill for this step. After you have drilled the three holes, thread the holes using an appropriate tap cutter. If the material of the turntable chassis is not suitable for threading, please use a 4.5mm drill for the holes. In this case, you will need longer screws with nuts to fit the tonearm base.
Please note that this image is not true to scale.
Mounting the Satisfy Kardan tonearm
Take the clamping ring and place it on the recess in the tonearm base.
Now you can attach the clamping ring to the tonearm base with the 3 supplied M4 x 10 screws.
Make sure that the side hole of the clamping ring remains accessible (see
Pic.4).
First insert the tonearm cable and then the tonearm foot of the Satisfy Kardan
tonearm into the hole of the clamping ring (Pic. 5).
Now fix the tonearm with the screws and the hex wrench. Do not over-tighten for later adjustments (Pic. 6)!
Adjustment of the distance between spindle and pivot point
We recommend to use the Clearaudio alignment gauge (Art. No. AC005/IEC, also available from www.analogshop.de) for the exact setting of the tonearm pivot point.
Make sure that the distance between spindle and the pivot point of the tonearm is exactly 222mm. You can adjust the distance by rotating the tonearm base.
Please tighten the tonearm base and check the measurement again after
adjustment.
Adjustment of the tonearm
The following settings require to mount the cartridge on the headshell. Always follow the cartridge manufacturer’s instructions.
Leave the stylus protector on your cartridge to avoid any damages!
Now you can connect the respective signal cable with the matching color pins
of the cartridge.
Please note the following colour coding:
- Red: right channel / R+
- Green: right channel / RWhite: left channel / L+
- Blue: left channel / L
Connect the pins of your cartridge to the jacks of the tonearm cable, taking care not to use too much force.
Use suitable precision pliers or tweezers for assistance if necessary.
Adjustment of the VTA
The tonearm remains loose in the clamping ring and is not screwed tight. Now place a record or the Clearaudio alignment gauge (Art. No. AC005/IEC) on the turntable and remove the stylus protector from your cartridge.
Make sure the tracking force is roughly adjusted to avoid damage to the cartridge.
Please be extremely careful during the following steps!
Never move the cartridge in the alignment gauge while it is lowered.
Use the lift to lower the tonearm and check if the tonearm tube is parallel to the platter.
The tonearm tube should not touch the lift bracket, but the needle must rest on the record or the alignment gauge.
Put the tonearm tube back in the rest position if the tonearm tube is not parallel and shows a slightincline.
Now carefully lower/raise the entire tonearm in the clamping ring until the tonearm tube is parallel to the platter.
Hand-tighten the clamping ring while the tonearm is in this position.
Put the tonearm back in the rest position holder and add the stylus protector
if the position is still correct.
Alignment and adjustment of the cartridge
Use the adjustment template, included in the scope of the delivery for the final tonearm and cartridge adjustment.
Place it directly on the turntable (without record)and align it with the arrow
pointing toward the tonearm pivot point (Pic. 10).
Take the tonearm out of the rest position and align it in the area of the
cross lines.
Lower the tonearm and check the alignment.
The cartridge body must be aligned in the template grid and the needle tip should be located in the cross lines.
Also, the side and front edges of the housing have to be parallel to the grid
lines.
To correct the adjustment, loosen the screws of the cartridge to move the
cartridge in the headshell.
Re-check the setting again after you have tightened the screws.
Adjustment of the tracking force
Turn the counter weight at the end of the tonearm to increase or lower the tracking force.
Caution: Please hold the tonearm tube while rotating the counterweight to
avoid any damages.
Red arrow (to the end of the tonearm)
= lower tracking force - > turn the counter weight anti-clockwise (left)
Green arrow (to the beginning of the tonearm)
= more tracking force - > turn the count weight clockwise (right)
Please follow the instructions of the respective cartridge manufacturer.
We recommend using the Clearaudio „Weight Watcher touch“ digital cartridge scale (Art. No. AC163, also available at www.analogshop.de) for the correct setting.
Adjustment of the azimuth
The azimuth is the angle of the cartridge stylus to the record surface. Viewed from the front, the cartridge needle has to be vertical to the record.
Please note: The azimuth is already set at the factory.
Lower the cartridge onto the record surface and check the position of the needle if you still want to optimize the azimuth.
Please proceed as following to change the azimuth:
Loosen the screw (hex wrench #2) on the bottom side of the tonearm tube near
the headshell.
Now you can adjust the azimuth by turning the headshell in the tonearm tube.
Carefully tighten the small hex screw again without changing the previously selected position.
We recommend the “Mini Level Gauge” from Clearaudio (Art.No.: AK001; also
available from www.analogshop.de) to check the
adjustment.
Adjustment of the anti-skating
This adjustment depends on the tracking force of your cartridge.
Please follow the instructions of the respective cartridge manufacturer.
alignment of the antiskating| tracking force| position of the
antiskating screw
---|---|---
minimal antiskating| >> 10 – 15mN| >> see illustration 1
medium antiskating| >> 15 – 20mN| >> see illustration 2
maximum antiskating| >> 20mN and more| >> see illustration 3
The tonearm adjustment is now completed.
We recommend to re-check all settings again and correct them if necessary before connecting the tonearm to your phono pre-amplifier.
We hope you enjoy your new Satisfy Kardan tonearm.
Your Clearaudio team
Troubleshooting
First check the possible causes to rule out incorrect operation if you have a
problem with your Satisfy Kardan tonearm.
Please contact your dealer if the error persists!
Never try to open the unit and/or repair it yourself, this will void the warranty!
Error | Cause | Measure |
---|---|---|
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. Use
only a suitable gauge! For example Clearaudio „Weight Watcher touch“ or
„Smart Stylus Gauge“.
Is the record deformed or scratched?| Use a record clamp or replace the
record.
Is the turntable leveled?| Check the alignment of the turntable and adjust if
necessary.
Tonearm lift does not lower or lowers very slowly| The tonearm has not
been used for a long time, which means that the greas in the tonearm lift can
harden and lower with difficulty.| Operate the lift about 4-5 times to loosen
the grease in the tonearm lift and the lift bar will lower evenly again.
Technical details
| Aluminum silver Aluminum black| Carbon
---|---|---
Construction details:| Radial tonearmWith magnetic antiskating| Radial
tonearmWith magnetic antiskating
Material:| Aluminium (black/silver), stainless steel, tonearm tube made
of aluminium (black/ silver)| Aluminium (black/silver), stainless steel,
tonearm tube made of carbon (silver)
Cartridge balance range:| 2.5g – 17.0g| 2.5g – 17.0g
Overhang:| 17.12mm| 17.12mm
Total length:| 305.00mm| 305.00mm
Effective length:| 239.12mm| 239.12mm
Mounting distance (tonearm pivot to spindle):| 222.00mm| 222.00mm
Offset angle:| 24.02°| 24.02°
Wiring:| 1.1m Clearaudio Direct WirePLUS terminated with RCA| 1.1m
Clearaudio Direct WirePLUS terminated with RCA
Weight:| Approx. 490g(incl. counterweight)| Approx. 480g(incl.
counterweight)
Manufacturer’s warranty:| 2 years| 2 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.
Support
clearaudio electronic GmbH
Spardorfer Straße 150
91054 Erlangen
Germany
Phone /Tel.: +49 9131 40300 100
Fax: +49 9131 40300 119
www.clearaudio.de
www.analogshop.de
info@clearaudio.de
Handmade in Germany
Clearaudio Electronic accepts no liability for any misprints.
Technical specifications are subject to change or improvement without prior
notice. Product availability is as long as astock lasts. Copies and reprints
of this document, including extracts, require written consent from Clearaudio
Electronic GmbH, Germany.
References
- clearaudio analogshop
- art.no
- clearaudio analogshop
- clearaudio electronic GmbH | High End - made in Germany
- clearaudio electronic GmbH - 403 Forbidden
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