clearaudio AC135 Professional Analogue Toolkit For Turntable User Manual

June 6, 2024
clearaudio

Professional Analogue Toolkit
User manual

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Dear Clearaudio distributor, drawing on our thirty years of hi-fi experience, Clearaudio have assembled a collection of precision tools designed to set up and fine-tune all-analog turntables.
We wish you much enjoyment with your Professional Analogue Toolkit from Clearaudio.

Bearing oil

Art. No.: AC068

Description:
Fully synthetic, long-lasting turntable bearing lubricant.
Provides ultra-low friction and keeps your platter running smoothly. Improves the performance of all turntable and
motor bearings.
Benefits:

  • Long-lasting lubrication
  • Wide operating temperature range
  • Low pour point <= -90°F
  • Good viscosity-temperature behavior 212°F / -85°F
  • Stable against oxidation and aging
  • Good corrosion protection

Weight Watcher touch with 100g weight Art. No.: AC163

Description:
Accurate cartridge stylus pressure gauge.
Battery power protection.
For more details see the dedicated user manual on page 13.

Level Gauge Art. No.: AC057

Description:
High precision level gauge, calibrated.

Mini Level gauge Art. No.: AK001

Description:
Miniature high precision level gauge, calibrated.
Ideal for setting VTA and Azimuth.

Magnifying glass Art. No.: AK014

Diamond brush Art. No.: AC014

Description:
Easy to use the diamond stylus cleaning brush. Combine with Elixir of Sound cleaning fluid for the best possible stylus care.

Elixir of Sound Art. No.: AC003

Description:
Highly efficient stylus cleaning fluid to remove dirt and dust.
Includes applicator brush.
For more details see the dedicated user manual on page 19.

Headshell cable set Art. No.: AC008

Description:
High-grade OFC including non-magnetic gold plated Clearaudio cartridge connectors. Length: 50mm.

mit Speed Light Art. No.: AC155

Cartridge alignment gauge
Description:
High precision alignment gauge for all radial tonearms.
Please note:
turn the turntable during the process off, otherwise, a needle abortion is possible.

Stroboskop Testrecord with Speed Light:
Description:
The Stroboscope enables the accurate setting of turntable speed.
For use with the supplied 300Hz Speed Light. For more details see the dedicated user manual on page 21.

Trackability Testrecord Art. No.: LPT 83063

Description:
180g vinyl test LP to check the tracking ability and fine-tune the set-up of your tonearm and cartridge.
Amplitude accuracy +/- 0.1 dB. For more information, see instructions on the cover of the record.

Screwdriver Art. No.: AK002

Description:
To tighten the cartridge mounting screws.

White gloves Art. No.: AK003

Description:
To protect the turntable from fingerprints during set-up and adjustment.

Cartride mounting screws

Art. No.: AK004

Description:
M 2.5 bolts, nuts, and washers for mounting the cartridge in the headshell.
4 x plastic
4 x gold plated
4 x aluminum
8 x stainless steel (4 x long, 4 x short)

Headshell plates

Art. No.: AK006

Description:
Headshell spacer / extra weight for use where required.
1x MM (rectangular) AK005
weight: 5.19g / thickness: 3mm
1x MC (fingered) AK006
weight: 2.95g / thickness: 3mm

Tweezer

Art. No.: AK007

Description:
Tweezers are designed for fitting and removal of cartridge connectors.

Cartridge light

Art. No.: AK008

Description:
A light to aid accurate cartridge alignment. (Batteries required: 2 x CR2016 3V)

LP Drill

Description:
An easy-to-use tool that quickly corrects undersized spindle holes of the records. Fitted with an ergonomic aluminum
handle. Diameter 7.3 mm.

Hex wrench

Art. No.: AK004

Description:
A selection of Allen keys to adjust Clearaudio turntables and tonearms.

  • Allen key 1.5 (Art. No. AK009)
  • Allen key 2.0 (Art. No. AK010)
  • Allen key 2.5 (Art. No. AK011)
  • Allen key 3.0 (Art. No. AK012)
  • Allen key 7.0 (Art. No. AK013)

Cartridge connectors

Art. No.: CO011

Description:
Non-magnetic gold-plated cartridge connectors with spring design to give excellent contact.

Weight Watcher touch

This digital Clearaudio cartridge weighing scale allows you to achieve an extremely precise adjustment of tracking force, which in turn will enable the optimum performance of your phono cartridge.
With the Weight Watcher touch, you have a precision instrument to hand that allows you to check and set the required tracking force quickly, easily, and exactly.
Please note:
This user manual gives you valuable information on the correct use of the Weight Watcher touch.

Delivered items

  • Weight Watcher touch incl. 2x CR2032 batteries
  • Calibration weight 100g

Measuring procedure

Before using the Weight Watcher touch for the first time, remove the battery seal from the battery compartment on the back of the device.
Select the unit
To adjust the tracking force we recommend using the default setting: ‘g’.
If you want to use another unit of measurement, you can select it by ‘MODE’.
Determine the correct position of your Weight Watcher touches on the turntable by carefully positioning your tonearm with the cartridge in the playing area of the turntable.
The measuring area of the Weight Watcher touch (marked ‘Measuring area’) is at the same height as a 200g vinyl pressing, so the measurement should be made without a record on the platter.
Carefully place your Weight Watcher touch on the turntable’s surface.
Make sure that all 4 small nubs on the underside of the Weight Watcher touch rest on the turntable platter and not in the label recess of the platter. This ensures accurate measurements.
Now you can switch on the Weight Watcher touch by tapping on the ‘ON / OFF’ area. After switching it on, all elements of the display are displayed for approx. 3 seconds before returning to ‘0.0’.
Place the tonearm with the cartridge on the red-marked measuring area.
Then, slowly lower the tonearm so that the stylus is centered on the red dot. To avoid false measurements, the body of the cartridge should never contact the Weight Watcher touch.
The display now shows you the weight in grams. If this does not match the cartridge manufacturer’s specification, lift the tonearm and correct the tracking force.
Check your final adjustments of the tracking force again with the Weight Watcher touch.

– Please note –

Horizontal placement of your Weight Watcher touch is required for accurate measurement of force.
Do not touch the surface (calibration area, showing the Clearaudio logo) during the measurement process to ensure an accurate measurement.

Changing the batteries

If the Weight Watcher touch cannot be switched on, the batteries should be replaced.
To change the batteries, open the battery compartment by pressing the lock and removing the cover.
Pay attention to the polarity when inserting the batteries. Now you can replace the cover.
Use caution and do not apply any pressure to the calibration /measurement surfaces!

Calibration

If the measurements showed seem inconsistent use the supplied calibration weight to recalibrate the Weight Watcher touch.

  1. Place the Weight Watcher touch on a flat, stable surface.
  2. Hold down the ‘MODE’ button for approx. 3 seconds: the display will show ‘CAL’ and then the required calibration weight.
  3. Place the 100g weight (included) centered on the calibration area (where the Clearaudio logo is shown) and wait 3 seconds.
  4. Press ‘ON/OFF’. The display

The calibration is completed.

Special instructions

Auto-Off
If the device is not used for more than 3 minutes, it automatically switches off to save the battery.

Overload indicator

If the capacity is exceeded, the display shows ‘O-LD’. Immediately remove the load and check the functionality of the Weight Watcher touch with the enclosed calibration weight. Bear in mind that you can permanently damage the Weight Watcher touch and your warranty claim will expire due to overload.

Technical data

Measuring accuracy: +/- 0.01g
Measuring range: 0 – 100g
Units: g, oz, ct, gn
Power source: 2x CR2032 Batterien
Auto-Off: after 3 minutes
Weight: approx. 64g
Dimensions (BxTxH): 89 x 75.5 x 13.5mm
Warranty: 2 years (except batteries)

Clearaudio electronic is not responsible for typographical errors in descriptions. Technical specifications are subject to change or improvement without prior notice. Product availability is as long as stock lasts.
Copies and reprints of these documents, including extracts, require written consent from Clearaudio electronic GmbH; Germany

Elixir of Sound

Stylus Cleaner
WHEN TO USE CLEARAUDIO STYLUS CLEANER….
…every time you play a record!
When records are manufactured, a mold release compound is sprayed onto the record mold to aid the removal of the vinyl LP once pressed. It is advisable to remove this by cleaning even new LPs with Clearaudio Pure Groove record cleaner in one of Clearaudio’s record cleaning machines. If you have not removed the mold release compound it will become baked onto the diamond stylus by the high temperatures generated during play. Clearaudio Elixir of Sound diamond stylus cleaner will remove this baked-on residue as well as any other contaminants and is recommended for use every time you play a record.

…when you purchase a new stylus or cartridge
Clearaudio Stylus Cleaner can be safely used with even the most delicate cartridge and stylus combinations because it contains almost no alcohol. Do remember, however, that your cartridge and stylus are delicate, so follow the instructions carefully.

How to use Clearaudio stylus cleaner:
Note:

  • Always clean your stylus with a BACK TO FRONT MOTION ONLY or you may damage your cartridge.
  • Apply Clearaudio stylus cleaner by brushing it onto the underside of the stylus tip in a back to front motion.
  • Clearaudio stylus cleaner will loosen and remove the most stubborn deposits.
  • Put the cap back on the bottle as soon as possible otherwise, the stylus cleaner can evaporate quickly. Wipe up any spills immediately.

Do not allow children within reach of Clearaudio stylus cleaner.
While not toxic, the product is not intended to be taken internally.
USE WITH ADEQUATE VENTILATION!
KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN!

Cartridge alignment gauge IEC Einstellschablone

Using of the Clearaudio IEC Cartridge alignment gauge

It is essential to ensure that the distance between the turntable spindle and the center of the tonearm bearing is correct (as per the arms manufacturer’s instructions). For Clearaudio radial tonearms, this distance is 222mm for 9” models or 295mm for 12” models. For different tonearm lengths and/or for other manufacturers’ tonearms, please refer to the relevant user manual.
To measure the distance, place the alignment gauge on the turntable spindle and align the center pin with the center of the tonearm bearing. Use the ruler to measure the distance between the turntable spindle and the center of the tonearm bearing. If the distance is not correct then the tonearm must be adjusted, again following the guidelines from the relevant user manual.
Once the tonearm is correctly positioned you can lock the ruler in place using the two knurled screws on the mounting block.

Now you can remove the stylus protector and begin the adjustment of the cartridge.
Please proceed carefully so as not to damage the cartridge.

Make sure that the cartridge is loosely mounted in the headshell. Carefully lower the cartridge onto the scale plate.
The goal is for the stylus to land in the center of the reference point (Pic.

  1. and for the cartridge body to be parallel to the lines on the scale plate (Pic. 2). To achieve this, you will need to gently move the cartridge within the headshell: backward, forwards, and rotationally.
    Please note:
    Do not adjust the cartridge while it is resting on the scale plate; always use the lever to lift it before adjusting, then lower it again afterward to check.
    After completing the adjustment, tighten the cartridge mounting screws to secure the cartridge in the headshell. Check the alignment again after tightening the screws (as the action of tightening can cause a very slight movement) and adjust again if necessary.
    You have now completed the alignment of your tonearm and cartridge.

Stroboscope Testrecord

The Clearaudio Stroboscope test record and 300Hz speed light enable you to make extremely precise speed adjustments to your turntable.
Dramatic sound improvements can be achieved with precisely calibrated speeds. There are three-speed settings: 33.3rpm, 45rpm, and 78rpm (starting from the outer diameter).
By using the speed light (AC039) you achieve an even more accurate setting, completely independent of the mains electricity frequency of your country. The 300Hz calibrated light, used as an external light source, is unaffected by the potential power fluctuations that can influence the result when using regular mains powered light. The 300Hz frequency of the speed light is generated by a stabilized quartz oscillator and enables a very exact adjustment.
Please put the Stroboscope test record on your turntable with the rings of fine stroboscope lines facing upward. The Stroboscope test record will measure three different speeds: the outer ring indicates the speed at 33.3rpm, the middle ring at 45rpm, and the innermost ring indicates the speed at 78rpm.
Now start the turntable motor and select the speed that you wish to measure.

Press the button of the speed light and hold it over the scale so that it shines onto the strobe ring. The lines of the strobe ring indicating the chosen speed should appear to be stationary. If they are moving, then adjust the turntable speed according to the turntable user manual until the lines do not appear to move.
– If the lines move clockwise, the speed is too fast.
– If the lines move anti-clockwise, the speed is too slow.
Once you have set the exact speed, you can enjoy the full potential of your vinyl collection.

Technical data:
Speed light
Light source:
Blue LED / 300Hz precision light source (calibrated)
Battery: V 23GA – 12V – alkaline (Art.-No.: AC039/B)
Please note:
An insufficient battery voltage can lead to inaccurate measurement results, even if the voltage is still sufficient to light the blue LED.
In case of extreme fluctuations of the measurement results, we recommend replacing the battery.

clear audio 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 stock lasts.
Copies and reprints of this document, including extracts, require written consent from
Clearaudio Electronic GmbH, Germany.

© clear audio electronic GmbH, 2021-07
Made in Germany

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