ClearAudio: Double Matrix Sonic -impressions and unboxing

Golucid

Golucid

Taking a break
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Jan 10, 2015
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Arrived yesterday. This RCM is both elegant and refined. One word: Spectacular. This machine is my dream come true!

I went to bed late last night because I couldn't help but play with the ClearAudio Double Matrix Sonic (CAADMS) RCM. I am simply blown away. The fit, finish, and technical performance is my long lusted for "Audio Oasis!" FINALLY!

I cleaned and listening to Pink Floyd: The Endless River. Mind you, I have cleaned this LP in my other machines: Klaudio, Audio Desk and the VPI RCMs. I thought I had achieved sonic improvement with each of these machine. Oh now. Here comes the CADMS and BOOM! Even better. I am just blown away. I believe ClearAudio created a winner here.
 
Wow! David, I've been very curious about this RCM. I thought it would be great. Thanks for doing the heavy lifting.
 
I went to bed late last night playing with the ClearAudio Double Matrix Sonic (CAADMS) RCM. I am simply blown away. The fit, finish, and technical performance is my long lusted for "Audio Oasis!" FINALLY!

As I write this post I am listening to Pink Floyd: The Endless River. Mind you, I have cleaned this LP in my other machines: Klaudio, Audio Desk and the VPI RCMs. I thought I had achieved sonic improvement with each of these machine. Oh now. Here comes the CADMS and BOOM! Even better. I am just blown away. I believe ClearAudio created a winner here.

Another thing I love about this unit [there are many things, actually] is the granular control over the cleaning process for "EACH" cleaning of the available cleaning modes. The ability to do this is just Radical! The unit can operate both automatically or manually giving to the flexibility to infinitely run the unit as long as you choose for any of the cleaning modes.

Noteworthy, the auto mode is pretty darn quick, quiet and effective.

This machine is a well thought out work of technical brilliance by ClearAudio. I bow with respect to the ClearAudio gods.

 
So, I am excited to report that I contacted ClearAudio and discussed using A.V.I.S and L'art du Son as a cleaning fluid for the Clear Audio. Very nice folks...I enjoyed talking with their guru and they are genuinely interested in my findings.

I am so EXCITED! They key to any of the machines I have is that your fluids absolutely must not foam! Foaming can damage your sonic electronics.
 
Any pics of the moving variety? Video (audiophile) porn is so much more satisfying? lol.
 
groovy said:
Any pics of the moving variety? Video (audiophile) porn is so much more satisfying? lol.
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I do, however, AS is not posting my photos correctly. I contacted Mike but he is not able to fix until after his hockey game.
 
David, thank you for sharing. What's the msrp?

Is this quiet enough to use while listening to music? For example, my KL sits right outside my listening room and even then, can be loud enough to intrude on the music inside the room.
 
The MSRP is $5500. You can negotiate, however. I have my KL, AD and VPI in a separate room. The CA Sonic, is now located in my listening space. It's not nearly as loud as those machines at all. The vacuum sequence is fairly quiet and short. So, I myself do not find it so disturbing like the other three machines.

Particular note. I am not a paid or bought off audio lobbyist that does reviews with some sort of kick back with buddies in the industry. Just a consumer paying full fair for equipment. So I can honestly say without any manufacture influence [special favor pork - and we know what that means] I LOVE THIS NEW MACHINE. I am star struck!
 
According to Stereophile's Michael Fremer's video, it retails for $5,500 US. Doesn't seem to be as quiet as you'd like to be able to listen to music during use.
 
audio.bill said:
According to Stereophile's Michael Fremer's video, it retails for $5,500 US. Doesn't seem to be as quiet as you'd like to be able to listen to music during use.
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Worth noting is that the ClearAudio Double Matrix Sonic does emit some noise. However, nothing remotely like any of the other RCMs we have come to know and love. It's fairly quiet, mostly. There is a buzzing and vacuum sound but not very loud and the duration is brief at best.

I ordered today a dust cover for it and I suspect that the cover will contain 90% of the sound...but I'll report on that later.

There are a few duration modes you can use with the auto button. The unit is swift!

I have been using the unit all day and OMG. I love this machine. Finally, something that floats my boat!
 
Mike said:
You're a tease! I want one....baaaaad!
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Mike, and I can only speak for my own experiences. I found at last my audio cleaning oasis. I am just in this perpetual state of wow.
 
I've done a lot of reading on this machine and talking to others who carry it as well as watching David with it. All I can say is that I know I will never own one, but will always dream of owning one. I'm thankful that I am satisfied and get good results from my current cleaning methodology, but this would cut the time by at least 25% and be more effective with the incorporated sonics resulting in some records I have now that required 2 passes down to getting them completely clean in one pass. Plus the choice of automatic or manual and everything in between and the whole flexibility of the unit is the cherry on top.
I also like that added anti-static bonus, although I have figured out how to prevent static mostly with vacuuming, that would be insurance. (Even though static does come eventually just from the dry air during certain times of year no matter what you do, but I find the thunderon brush and/or zerostat to work well).
I wonder if the antistatic brush on the Clearaudio unit is made of thunderon or something else?

Yes, the ClearAudio Double Matrix is the ultimate RCM currently in my opinion! Actually, it may be very hard to top.

~Eric
 
MusicDirector said:
Yes, the ClearAudio Double Matrix is the ultimate RCM currently in my opinion! Actually, it may be very hard to top.
Click to expand...

Another very nice feature about the ClearAudio Double Matrix Sonic is that if purchased appropriately [authorized dealer] and you register with a genuine purchase receipt, you are given a 3 year warranty! Also, the USA ClearAudio representative folks are accessible via email and phone. Dealing with them is easy and they are polite and eager to help. Hmmm...this gives them a huge edge up with the competition. Service is everything...particularly dealing with folks that treat you with some sort of respect. I have found repeatedly and consistently dealing with the manufactures of my other RCMs difficult and that is stating it politely.

I believe ClearAudio is a fierce competitor. Kindness, an effective RCM and product quality [3 year warranty]...heck, this goes a very log way to win customer loyalty...Better said, Brand Loyalty!

BOOM!
 
Clearaudio make fabulous products. I've owned a few of their premium cartridges and love them all. There is of course the McIntosh MT10 which is a Clearaudio built machine.

I wish there was better dealer representation in Australia. They could do so much better if the dealership was given to someone else.
 
Is the unit just a vacuum RCM or does it also do Ultrasonic as well? If so, how?

cheers
 
Steve said:
Clearaudio make fabulous products. I've owned a few of their premium cartridges and love them all. There is of course the McIntosh MT10 which is a Clearaudio built machine.

I wish there was better dealer representation in Australia. They could do so much better if the dealership was given to someone else.
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Hi Steve

There are 3 Clearaudio dealers in Melbourne. None of them any good?

<
  • 1
    Stereophonic
    755 Nicholson St
    Carlton North, 3054
    Distance: 4.02 km
  • 2
    Addicted to Audio
    4/792-796 High St
    Kew East, 3102
    Distance: 10.56 km
  • 3
    Frankston Hifi
    450 Nepean Hwy
    Frankston, 3199
    Distance: 39.99 km
 
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