clearaudio Satisfy Kardan Carbon User Manual

June 9, 2024
clearaudio

clearaudio Satisfy Kardan Carbon User Manual
clearaudio Satisfy Kardan Carbon

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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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).

  4. 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.

  5. Health information
    Permanently high volume can lead to various types of hearing damage. Use high volume responsibly!

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. Disposal
    Do not dispose this product together with other waste. WEEE Reg. No.: DE26004446

  9. 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.
Paclage Contents
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.
Drilling template

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).
Mounting Instructions

First insert the tonearm cable and then the tonearm foot of the Satisfy Kardan tonearm into the hole of the clamping ring (Pic. 5).
Mounting Instructions

Now fix the tonearm with the screws and the hex wrench. Do not over-tighten for later adjustments (Pic. 6)!

Mounting Instructions

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.
Distance 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.
Adjustment of the tonearm height

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).
Adjustment of the cartridge

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.
Adjustment of the cartridge

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.
Stylus tips

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.
Adjustment of the tracking force

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 azimuth

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

Adjustment of the anti-skating

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

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
Social Icon

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

Read User Manual Online (PDF format)

Read User Manual Online (PDF format)  >>

Download This Manual (PDF format)

Download this manual  >>

Related Manuals