ClearAudio N1 MM silver

ClearAudio N1 MM – Moving Magnet Cartridge

At Clearaudio, the coils are hand-wound and the bodies are machined from solid a few kilometers from the Erlangen headquarters. When the Bavarian manufacturer decides to offer an affordable cartridge, it applies the same methods as for its high-end models. The N1 inaugurates a new compact range that brings this manufacturing rigor into a more accessible format and price, without sacrificing the quality of materials or the assembly precision that characterize the brand.

An aluminum body where others use plastic

The N1 housing is milled from a block of anodized aluminum, a construction usually found on far more expensive cartridges. This choice is not just aesthetic: the rigidity of aluminum limits unwanted resonances and provides a stable base for the generator system. Despite this robust design, the body weighs only 8 grams, bringing the total weight to 12.5 grams with the stylus carrier in place.

This intermediate mass gives the N1 broad compatibility with different types of tonearms. Both lightweight and heavier arms can accommodate it without the need for a special counterweight, which simplifies integration with most turntables on the market. Clearaudio has in fact designed this cartridge in parallel with its Compass turntable, the two forming a coherent set straight out of the box.

Stylus replacement without disassembly

The N1 introduces a first for Clearaudio: a plug-in stylus system that allows replacement without removing the cartridge from the headshell. The elliptical diamond mounted on an aluminum cantilever can be removed and put back in place with a simple gesture. This mechanism makes routine maintenance as easy as replacement after normal wear – expect between 500 and 1,000 hours of listening depending on usage conditions.

Replacement styli, referenced N1 MM Quick-Swap, are available separately. This accessibility extends the useful service life of the cartridge and reduces long-term cost: instead of replacing the entire unit, only the consumable element is changed.

Electrical parameters and settings

The N1 delivers an output voltage of around 2.9 mV at 1 kHz for a cutting speed of 5 cm/s. This moderate level matches the vast majority of MM phono preamplifiers on the market, calibrated for a load impedance of 47 kΩ and a capacitance of 100 pF. Coil inductance is 400 mH with an impedance of 660 Ω, classic values for a moving magnet cartridge that provide good coupling versatility.

The recommended tracking force is 2.2 grams, with a tolerance of ± 0.3 gram. In practice, some users find tracking slightly more stable around 2.3 grams, but the optimal setting also depends on the arm and platter used. The compliance of 15 µm/mN places the N1 in the category of medium-compliance cartridges, suitable for tonearms with an effective mass of roughly 10 to 20 grams.

Sound reproduction and tracking behavior

With a specified frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz and channel separation of 20 dB, the N1 offers solid figures for its class. The elliptical stylus provides a compromise between fine groove tracing and tolerance of worn or slightly warped records. It retrieves more detail than a spherical stylus while being less demanding in terms of alignment than an advanced-profile stylus.

The tracking ability of 80 µm indicates a good capacity to follow groove modulations, including heavily cut passages. This characteristic helps to limit distortion on orchestral crescendos or percussive attacks.

Two finishes to match your setup

The N1 is available in black or silver, each version featuring a side engraving of the name. The black finish blends discreetly with dark tonearms, while the silver echoes the metallic finishes of Clearaudio turntables or other brands that favor brushed aluminum. Both colors use the same anodizing treatment, which protects the metal from oxidation.

Technical Specifications

Electrical specifications

• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
• Output voltage: approx. 3.3 mV (1 kHz, 5 cm / s)
• Channel separation: 20 dB (1 kHz)
• Channel balance: 2 dB (1 kHz)
• Coil impedance: 0.66 kΩ (1 kHz)
• Coil inductance: 400 mH
• Load resistance: 47 kΩ
• Load capacitance: 100 pF

Mechanical characteristics

• Cartridge type: moving magnet (MM)
• Total weight: 12.6 g (± 0.2 g)
• Body weight: 8 g
• Body material: anodized aluminum
• Cantilever: aluminum
• Stylus shape: elliptical
• Recommended tracking force: 2.2 g (± 0.3 g)
• Tracking ability: 80 µm
• Compliance: 15 µm / mN

Stylus system

• Quick-swap system
  • Stylus easily replaceable, even when the cartridge is mounted on the tonearm
  • Simplified installation and maintenance
  • Quick replacement without removing the cartridge
• Compatible with Clearaudio N1 MM Quick-Swap replacement styli

Compatibility

• Tonearms: compatible with both light and heavy tonearms
• Turntables: compatible with all standard tonearm turntables
• Recommendation: ideal for the Clearaudio Compass turntable

Design and finish

• Anodized aluminum body ensuring optimal rigidity and lightness
• Elegant, timeless design
• Available finishes: black, silver
• Compact construction combining precision and musicality
• Ideal weight balance for maximum versatility

Accessories

• Clearaudio N1 MM Quick-Swap replacement styli available