High Interest

Clearaudio’s Robert Suchy (CEO) Interview August 2024 ! [English Edition]

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INTERVIEW WITH MR. ROBERT SUCHY OF CLEARAUDIO

Clearaudio is a world-renowned German company celebrated for its innovative and precision-engineered high-end audio equipment, particularly in the field of analog turntables, cartridges, and tonearms. Founded in 1978, Clearaudio has set a benchmark for excellence in sound reproduction, blending cutting-edge technology with timeless craftsmanship. At the helm of this iconic brand is Robert Suchy, the son of Clearaudio’s founder, who continues to drive the company’s legacy forward. With a passion for perfection and a deep commitment to advancing analog audio, Robert Suchy plays a pivotal role in shaping Clearaudio’s vision, ensuring its products deliver unparalleled listening experiences to audiophiles worldwide.

Mr. Robert Suchy (CEO/Owner)

Q: Let’s discuss your expertise in analog turntables, tonearms, cartridges, and phono stages. Many readers consider you one of the finest designers of our time, yet few know how your interest in design began. Could you elaborate on your journey and history with analog source technology?

A [Robert Suchy]: Certainly, and thank you for the opportunity to meet here in Athens! It’s an honor, and fantastic to have this conversation—especially with the luxury of air conditioning!

The journey is indeed interesting, with many ups and downs along the way. When my father started in 1978, the only sources for audio playback were turntables, cassettes, and tape; digital sources didn’t exist. Then, around 1985-86, the CD arrived, and it was a challenging time for vinyl playback and the analog market. Vinyl records were quickly pushed out of stores because major companies wanted to promote the new format—it was smaller, lighter, required less storage, and reduced transportation costs. Plus, CDs were easier and cheaper to produce.

This wasn’t an ideal time for analog technology, but in some ways, it was a blessing in disguise. Companies like Clearaudio were pushed to innovate, to improve, and to make analog playback even better. Today, if you compare cartridges, tonearms, and turntables to those from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, the advancements are remarkable. Materials, machining precision, and manufacturing quality have all vastly improved, making today’s analog playback far superior to the past.

The push from digital sources forced the analog business to evolve. Today, turntables and vinyl have become the only physical playback mediums that remain popular. Yes, there’s a small resurgence in cassettes as a retro trend, but it seems unlikely that this will become commercially significant. Similarly, reel-to-reel tape enthusiasts, like Mr. Metaxas with his beautifully designed high-end machines, have carved out a niche market. I know Mr. Metaxas personally—we’ve known each other since I was a young boy. I visited him in Chalkida, and we had a wonderful dinner together. I admire his work, but it’s a tough market to grow.

On the other hand, vinyl pressing plants are thriving today. There are many plants worldwide. For instance, there’s one in Greece, which, as we know, you are a selling partner of (through Mr. Demos of hiendnews), and I hope to visit soon. In France, there’s another, but they’re constantly busy with new record pressings. Across Europe, there are over 40 pressing plants, which is excellent for us. As well, we book pressing production slots for our own Label, in Germany, where the number of pressing plants has also increased, with many working in shifts to meet demand.

Q: At the High-End Munich 2024 expo, new flagship Clearaudio models and the fantastic Al Di Meola turntable were introduced. It was mentioned that you employ two distinct approaches to tonearm design—one resulting in exceptional unipivot models and the other in sophisticated parallel tracking models, featuring dry-running, high-precision bearings and a polished glass tube. Could you explain which models demonstrate significant audible differences and the reasoning behind these variations in design?

A: That’s a great question, thank you! First, let me briefly touch on the Al Di Meola turntable. It’s a joint venture between Al Di Meola and us, and the idea for this project was born at last year’s High-End show, where we met and thought, “Let’s create something unique.” The turntable comes in two finishes—black and a wood finish reminiscent of his Gibson Les Paul guitars. We’ll be having a photo session for the final product shoot soon, followed by a concert in Munich at Hotel Bayerischer Hof. This will be a limited edition of just 1,000 pieces. It’s already generating excitement, with many pre-orders from the show in Munich, and while it has the look of a guitar, it’s a fully functional turntable. It shares the same “engine inside” and tachometer as the Concept Signature turntable, featuring high-velocity precision bearings, a precision platter, and the Profiler tonearm. It also comes with a unique moving magnet cartridge, a special body design, and color, all part of our Celebrity Series. Given its success, we’re already in talks with other artists for future collaborations.

Now, to address the question about tonearms and their audible differences. We do indeed take two distinct approaches…

The collaboration between Al Di Meola and Clearaudio represents a unique fusion of high-fidelity audio engineering and artistic excellence. Renowned for his virtuosity in jazz and Latin music, Al Di Meola partnered with Clearaudio to create a limited edition turntable that reflects both his musical legacy and Clearaudio’s commitment to unparalleled sound quality at this price point. This exclusive turntable combines Clearaudio’s cutting-edge technology with bespoke design elements inspired by Di Meola’s iconic style, offering audiophiles and music enthusiasts a chance to experience his recordings with exceptional clarity and depth. The collaboration not only celebrates Di Meola’s influence in the music world but also showcases Clearaudio’s dedication to crafting exceptional audio experiences. The shape of the turntable will be reminiscent of Gibson Les Paul guitars!

First, with any pivoted tonearm, there is a natural arc during tracking, which introduces slight distortion. Parallel tracking tonearms, on the other hand, aim to eliminate this by keeping the stylus perfectly aligned with the groove. However, parallel tracking designs had a bit of a troubled history in the 70s and 80s—while many looked innovative, they often suffered from technical issues. As a result, pivoted tonearms became the industry standard because they are more user-friendly.

That said, we still believe that for high-end sonic performance, the tangential (parallel tracking) tonearm is superior. In the high-end segment, we continue to develop these models because they provide optimal performance for discerning listeners. However, we also recognize the importance of offering high-quality pivoted and unipivot tonearms. That’s why we developed the Unity tonearm, which merges the best of both worlds.

Clearaudio’s latest high-end creation, the marvelous Unity tonearm!

The Unity tonearm is a unipivot design, but it behaves much like a conventional tonearm, which is quite unique. It features a sapphire bearing and is magnetically stabilized, preventing any wobbling—a common issue with traditional unipivot arms. This stability is crucial for sound quality, as it provides a solid foundation with extremely low friction, which is vital during tracking. Typically, tonearms have multiple bearings, but the Unity uses just one, minimizing friction and improving performance.

What’s also interesting is the fine adjustability of this tonearm. You can adjust the anti-skating and height even while playing, and it locks firmly in place, ensuring a tight fit. The Unity also comes with interchangeable counterweights that attach magnetically, allowing for precise balancing with different cartridges. It’s truly a precision instrument—many of its parts are machined with the same precision as a Swiss watch. This level of engineering takes time, which is why it took three years to develop the Unity tonearm.

This new high-end tonearm is crafted from a specially designed carbon fiber tube that is precision milled. It’s incredibly lightweight yet extremely rigid, with strategically placed damping to ensure resonances remain flat, eliminating any unwanted peaks. Unity flagship tonearm elevates the performance of our high-end turntables to the next level, also enhancing all Clearaudio models to the highest possible level.

We offer it with either a 5-pin DIN connection or a continuous cable through the tonearm. Many customers with high-end phono cables will appreciate the flexibility of being able to use their own connections.

One of the two variations (very limited edition) of Al Di Meola turntables, a collaboration between Clearaudio and the renowned guitarist.

Q: On Clearaudio’s entry-level series of turntables, you strongly insist that the best construction material is medium-density fiberboard or, optionally, solid wood layers bonded under high pressure. Why do you insist on these standards, and what do you suggest for further upgrading the sonics of your Concept line, aside from adding a higher-grade cartridge?

This is a very good question, but let me clarify something. We do not insist on using any specific materials. As a manufacturer, we always seek the best materials—both in terms of cost-effectiveness and production quality. High-density wood is a standard choice because it offers a good balance between affordability and structure, especially in entry-level turntables.

Compressed and glued under high pressure, high-density wood forms a solid structure that is not expensive to produce. That’s why many manufacturers, including us, use standard wood or medium-density fiberboard in our entry-level products. However, our second-best option is real, laminated wood, like the birch layered wood we use, which is both glued and pressed.

Higher-quality woods are more expensive, so we reserve them for our premium turntables. They offer superior sonic and resonance characteristics. Resonance control is crucial, as you want to dampen or “kill” resonances as quickly as possible. When sound waves travel through the material, they create vibrations at specific frequencies, and you want to eliminate these quickly. For example, with medium density wood, resonance takes longer to dissipate, whereas our higher-quality woods achieve this much faster.

The Clearaudio Concept turntables are an award-winning blend of precision engineering, minimalist design, and high-performance audio. Known for their ease of use and outstanding sound quality, the Concept series offers an entry into Clearaudio’s world of high-end analog playback. Featuring a resonance-optimized chassis, decoupled motor, and a friction-free tonearm, these turntables provide excellent isolation and smooth, accurate playback. Available with either a moving magnet (MM) or moving coil (MC) cartridge, each Concept turntable is pre-configured and calibrated for optimal performance, allowing users to enjoy audiophile-grade sound straight out of the box. With their sleek aesthetics and attention to detail, the Concept turntables deliver a superior listening experience at an accessible price point.

Q: Aside from upgrading the cartridge, what else would you suggest for improving the Concept line? For example, could enhancements to the power supply or isolation base make a difference? We heard the effect of upgrading to your Smart DC Battery Power Supply. Soundstaging, liquidity of voices and dimensionality improved significantly and people can notice this immediately  .

A: You’re absolutely right—as the cartridge is often the first thing that comes to mind when upgrading a turntable. However, another significant upgrade would be the power supply. A better power supply enhances the motor’s performance, making it run smoother and quieter. We have the Clearaudio Battery “Smart DC Power supply”. Designed to immediately unleash more of the considerable potential of Clearaudio’s high-performance .

If you were to connect an oscilloscope to a standard wall socket, you’d see a 50 Hz sine wave. But if you magnify that waveform, you’d notice noise—distortions caused by other electronics, like computers or mobile chargers, which add more “dirt” to the signal. Upgrading to a cleaner power supply helps eliminate this interference, preventing unwanted distortions from entering your audio equipment.

As I mentioned earlier, power supplies are becoming increasingly important these days due to the growing number of issues in the home environment, especially electromagnetic interference from external sources. This makes power supplies critical. We could include them directly in our turntable packages, but that would immediately raise the retail price.

What’s really interesting, as you pointed out, is that the difference is noticeable. Even if someone isn’t an audiophile, they can hear it. You could conduct a blind test—set up a curtain, play music using two turntables, one with a DC battery-powered supply and one without—and people will be amazed. Often, when I tell friends that we’re developing hi-fi equipment, turntables, and specialized power supplies, their first reaction is, “I probably wouldn’t notice the difference.” But once they hear it in a showroom or shop, they’re blown away. Even something as simple as changing a cable or a power supply can elicit a “wow” response. Most don’t expect they’ll be able to hear a difference, but they absolutely do.

The Clearaudio Master Jubilee limited-edition turntable is a remarkable blend of advanced engineering and luxurious craftsmanship, designed to deliver exceptional analog sound performance. As part of Clearaudio’s prestigious Jubilee series, this turntable incorporates a cutting-edge magnetic drive system, which ensures frictionless and precise platter rotation. Its resonance-optimized, multi-layered chassis, made from high-tech materials like Panzerholz wood and aluminum, provides superior isolation from external vibrations. The Master Innovation Jubilee also features a patented optical speed control system, guaranteeing ultimate speed stability. Built for serious audiophiles, this turntable combines breathtaking aesthetics with unmatched fidelity, offering a truly immersive listening experience that brings out the full depth and detail of any vinyl record.

Why is a battery supply superior to a standard power supply? It’s all about physics—it’s not some kind of magic. With a battery supply, the electricity is cleaner and more consistent, with greater reserves. This is crucial. For example, a standard power supply might provide 20 or 30 watts, whereas these power supplies offer 100 watts, meaning they’re designed to handle much more. When there’s a peak demand in the music, electronics often “cramp,” but with enough power reserve, even for a small motor on a turntable, the energy remains uncompressed. The power is still fluid and delivered with full force.

This isn’t a highly technical explanation, but it helps convey how the system works. Some engineers might cringe at this simplified description, but the key point is that the electricity reserve, regardless of external conditions, is always available. This is what you hear in terms of clarity, freedom, and a natural, fluid sound.

Q: Are your believe in AC or DC motors?

A: We use DC motors because they provide higher torque, which allows for better speed control and consistency. While AC motors do have some advantages, DC motors offer more precision. There are even other types of motors, but they tend to be extremely expensive. You might see something innovative from us in the future, but we do not plan to use direct drive motors. Direct drive is excellent for applications like DJ setups, where you need fast start/stop times. However, for home audio systems, direct drive can introduce unwanted resonances into the platter, so it’s not the best option for consumers.

Q: For decades, we’ve been well aware of the greatness and superiority of Clearaudio’s MC (moving coil) cartridges. Recently, however, we’ve also discovered the excellence of your MM cartridges. What challenges do you face when designing MM (moving magnet) cartridges? What are the key differences between your cartridges, starting from the Jubilee MM?

A: Great question! It’s clear that you’re interested in the technical details, which is fantastic. Moving magnet (MM) cartridges are generally simpler to produce, making them more affordable, and most are mass-produced. However, our MMs are not mass-produced; we make over 10,000 per year with high-quality components sourced from Japan and China. We even produce our own magnets, which is where things get interesting.

The key challenge is finding the right balance between the size and weight of the moving magnet. If the magnet is too heavy, it will slow down the movement but produce a stronger output. If it’s too light, the output may be weak, especially in the higher frequencies. Achieving this balance is crucial, and different manufacturers have their own approaches. We’ve found a sweet spot in terms of magnet size, weight, and performance.

Additionally, the body shape and materials of the cartridge are critical for performance. When the needle moves rapidly in the groove, it generates resonances that travel through the tonearm. You don’t want those resonances affecting the sound quality. For our Jubilee MM, we use high-density wood because it excels at damping micro-resonances. We also use high-grade elliptical styluses for our moving magnets.

As you move up our product line—from the Virtuoso to the Maestro and finally the Charisma—you’ll notice a shift from aluminum cantilevers to boron cantilevers. Boron offers significant sonic advantages because it’s stiffer and lighter than aluminum, providing better tracking with no material deformation. Additionally, for our top-tier models, we use a Micro HD diamond stylus, same to the ones found in moving coil cartridges, which provides even greater precision in sound reproduction.

The Clearaudio Statement turntable is a pinnacle of engineering and design, embodying the ultimate in high-end analog playback. This masterpiece features a striking combination of state-of-the-art materials and cutting-edge technology, including a resonance-optimized chassis, magnetic drive system, and a frictionless, dual-motor system for precision speed control. The turntable’s massive structure, incorporating an advanced suspension system, ensures near-perfect isolation from external vibrations, while its impeccable craftsmanship showcases Clearaudio’s dedication to achieving flawless sound reproduction. Designed for the most discerning audiophiles, the Statement turntable delivers unparalleled fidelity, depth, and musicality, making it a true statement piece in any high-end audio setup.


Q: Is there anything you’d like to highlight about your top achievements and ultra-high-end models? What are your next goals in terms of achieving the ultimate analog experience?
.

A: Of course, we have plenty of ideas, but the possibilities in this field are vast. As a company, however, we have to strike a balance between creativity, practicality, and commercial viability. When it comes to designing analog equipment, especially in the high-end segment, if cost were no object, you could easily end up with turntables priced at 300,000 to 500,000 euros. While that may happen someday, such projects require significant time and investment in research and development. At Clearaudio, we have nearly 100 employees, so we need to produce and sell products that are commercially viable.

That said, we are constantly exploring new ideas for turntables, experimenting with different materials and technologies. In today’s world, environmental considerations are also critical. For example, we ensure our lacquering processes comply with modern green living standards. The design and shape of products are equally important, and we put a lot of focus on R&D, which is a substantial investment and often reflected in the retail prices of our products—like the Unity tonearm. It’s not inexpensive, but it performs exceptionally well in the high-end market.

One of the challenges we face today is meeting the various standards and regulations required for new products. You need to adhere to safety rules, CE certifications, UL regulations, and more. European standards are generally easier to comply with compared to non-European ones, especially in tonearms. But when it comes to turntables, power supplies, and phono stages, there’s a significant amount of investment in materials, research, and equipment required.

And last but not least, one of the biggest challenges we face today is finding people who understand hi-fi and share our passion. It’s about having a “360-degree passion” for high-end audio—an appreciation for the products, the sound, and the smallest details. Employees need to love music and everything about it, and finding individuals who fit that description is becoming increasingly difficult.

For example, developing new ideas and analog products takes several months, and we are exploring various fields, but bringing them alive, takes now up to 2 Years. We have a strong partnership with a cutting head producer and a cutting Studio in Germany and France, are currently working on designing our own cutting head for vinyl record production, since this is a Key hole for the Future in Vinyl Production, which is our needed Source and Pleasure.

A: I would extend the list to four items by including the power supply, which should also be considered. While power supplies are important, especially in today’s context, the cartridge remains the most crucial component of the turntable. For anyone looking to upgrade, investing in a high-quality cartridge should be the top priority. The cost of a cartridge can often rival that of the tonearm and turntable combined, and upgrading it will typically yield the most noticeable improvement in sound quality.

Next in priority is the turntable itself. A high-quality turntable ensures consistent speed, which directly impacts sound performance. If the turntable’s speed consistency is poor, it will affect the overall sound quality, making it less rich and detailed. And of course, the phono stage, which is crucial for passing the sonic qualities of your turntable to your amplification system.

The third priority is the tonearm. While entry-level and mid-range tonearms are relatively straightforward to design and build, higher-end tonearms are more complex and can significantly affect playback quality. There are many excellent tonearm brands available, so choosing a well-regarded one is essential. Clearaudio offers a wide range of tonearm models to choose from, catering to various preferences and needs.

Lastly, consider upgrading the power supply. A better or battery-powered power supply can enhance the overall performance, but it should come after addressing the cartridge, turntable, and tonearm.

To summarize, the suggested order of priority for upgrades is: first, the cartridge; second, the turntable and phono stage; third, the tonearm; and last, the power supply.

The platform on which the turntable is placed is also crucial. If you don’t have a dedicated hi-fi / audiophile rack, you might use a standard piece of furniture in your living room. In such cases, adding a second base with spikes or rubber feet can help isolate or couple the turntable, depending on your environment. In Greece, where buildings are often constructed with solid concrete due to earthquake considerations, you’re relatively fortunate in terms of stability. In contrast, in the U.S., many older homes are built with wood, which can be prone to movement. This often necessitates greater isolation to prevent vibrations from affecting the audio quality.

Q: One of our friends in Germany, owns an ultra-fine isolation base inspired by the microscope industry, designed to have nearly zero tolerances. However, despite its high precision, he found that it negatively impacted the sound under his turntable ! How is this possible? Please provide an explanation.

A: This could be because the new platform disrupted an existing resonance system that was actually beneficial to the sound quality. Additionally, our ears and brains can adapt to specific sound profiles over time, making it hard to detect subtle changes unless they are significant, such as when high frequencies start to deteriorate. Even so, our bodies can sense resonances, which affects how we perceive sound quality.

Q: Do you have any final words for our readers?

A: Digital formats aren’t inherently bad, but it’s important to remember that the main goal is to enjoy the music, whether you’re listening to streaming services or vinyl. Ideally, you should avoid relying solely on your phone for music. While it’s convenient to use your phone in the car, when you have the chance like I do, take the time to sit down and truly enjoy your music. This can bring a great deal of joy.

You don’t need to spend tens or hundreds of thousands of euros to have a satisfying listening experience. A high-quality hi-fi system can be achieved with a budget of two to four thousand euros, providing excellent value and a pleasurable listening experience. My wish is to demonstrate to the next generation that investing in good equipment can significantly enhance the enjoyment of music & life. This applies to Greece as well, where I hope people continue to buy and appreciate fine records!

 

This interview was conducted exclusively with Mr. Demos Dravopoulos in August ’24 for Hiendnews Audiophile E-Magazine.


Αντιπροσωπεία – Ακροάσεις – Διάθεση Clearaudio:

ORPHEUS AUDIO

Σημεία Διάθεσης & Ακροάσεων Clearaudio:

STUDIO DIAPASON HI-FI

LYRE AUDIO

HEAVEN AUDIO

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