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Clearaudio Clarify Help Needed!

I am in the process of setting up the Clearaudio Ovation turntable with Clarify tonearm I purchased used. All good until came time to move the counterweight to adjust cartridge downforce.

The counterweight will not move. The tt manual is a piece of crap, lacking information and offering only a few lousy photos. It states "By loosen the screw on the counterweight on the tonearm-tube you can adjust the tracking force of your cartridge by moving the counterweight (shown in the picture below)." The picture shows the counterweight (CW) on the tonearm tube with a red arrow pointing in one direction and a green arrow in the other. There is no indication of where the "screw on the counterweight" is located. I have located a very tiny set screw on the underside of the counterweight, but don't have an allen wrench tiny enough, long enough to reach it. Could this be the "screw on the counterweight" I can "loosen"? It is only accessible if I remove the tonearm - which would make balancing the arm very difficult, as after balancing it I would have to remove it again to tighten the screw? Why would Clearaudio have buried the set screw on the bottom of the counterweight, where inaccessible without removing arm?

There is a knob on the back end of the tonearm. Is this the "screw" I'm supposed to "loosen" to free my tonearm? I turned it both directions but it had no effect on the freedom of the counterweight. It appears to connect to a long spring that runs the length of the tonearm? What is the purpose of this knob? How am I to know when it is properly turned to proper position? Why is there no mention of it in the "user manual"?

Any help much appreciated!

Balthus

128x128balthus
jeffreylee
57 posts
 

The Clarify manual is simple because there isn't much to say. If you look at the manual on the Clearaudio website, there is no mention of a screw. The VTF is adjusted simply by moving the counterweight forward or back; it is fitted firmly to the tonearm by a ring of rubber or something rubber-like. When you move it, it stays in place. Same as with my Clearaudio Satisfy arm.

The thing at the end of the tonearm that Balthus is futzing with is not meant to be turned and I wouldn't be surprised if his futzing hasn't added to his problem. At the very least, he clearly hasn't set the VTF anywhere near correctly.

macg19
911 posts
 

@jeffreylee I stand corrected (or the Clarify user manual is incorrect which I doubt)

In the photos, the counter weight / VTF adjustment looks the same as the Tracer which I owned prior to the Universal that I have now, but the Clarify manual says otherwise.

 

dwette
166 posts
 

I had a Clearaudio Ovation, which came with a Clarify arm originally. It was a problematic arm with the magnetic bearings and I was happy to get rid of it and all the woofer pumping it caused. And adjusting AS from underneath was bonkers. I never had a problem understanding the VTF adjustment. Seemed obvious to me. I also had a Magnify and it had the same issues with magnetic bearings. I ultimately upgraded to the Universal arm which is excellent: it uses mechanical bearings instead.

Now I have an Innovation since a year ago, and use two 12" Universal arms. These arms use the same mechanism for adjusting VTF as Clarify/Magnify with the thumbscrew on the back of the arm. I sold my Ovation and 9" Universal but once it had the right arm it was an excellent turntable for the money.

Now if anyone gets an Ovation I would strongly recommend the Tracer tonearm, and I think that is now the default bundle.

macg19
911 posts
 

What he said:)

mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 

@balthus Have you got it straightened out yet??

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