Clearaudio Performance DC vs Denon DP-3000NE
Side-by-side specifications and a plain-English account of the recorded differences. Full profiles: Clearaudio Performance DC · Denon DP-3000NE.
| Specification | Clearaudio Performance DC |
Denon DP-3000NE |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $7,000 | Highlighted difference. $2,499 |
| Category | High-end | High-end |
| Status | current | current |
| Years | 2013–present | 2023–present |
| Drive | belt drive | direct drive |
| Speeds | 33/45 rpm | Highlighted difference. 33/45/78 rpm |
| Operation | manual | manual |
| Cartridge supplied | sold bare | sold bare |
| Phono stage | No | Highlighted difference. Yes |
| USB output | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Platter | POM with stainless bearing | die-cast aluminum (305 mm, high inertia) |
| Tonearm | Clearaudio (various) | S-shaped, static balance, removable headshell |
| Wow & flutter | — | 0.06% |
Practical differences
Highlighted cells show a lower reference price, support for more listed speeds, or the presence of a convenience feature. They are not an overall score.
On price alone the Denon DP-3000NE costs less, coming in $4,501 (about 180%) below the Clearaudio Performance DC.
The mechanics differ too: the Clearaudio Performance DC is belt-drive, the Denon DP-3000NE is direct-drive. The Denon DP-3000NE gets instant start-up, rock-steady speed under load, and enough torque to nudge or backspin the record — the reason DJs and scratch decks are built this way.
The Denon DP-3000NE has a built-in phono stage. Skip the phono stage and you'll need one built into your amp, or a separate box, to play through normal speakers.
Bottom line: $4,501 separates these reference prices. That difference is factual; this specification comparison does not assign an overall winner.
Live retailer offers
Checking current in-stock offers for Clearaudio Performance DC…
Retailer searches
6 US retailers stock Clearaudio — linked directly to the product page where we have one, otherwise to a site search for the deck.
| Retailer | Type | Shipping | Product link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acoustic Sounds | hifi independent | Ships worldwide from Salina, Kansas at carrier rates. | View at Acoustic Sounds ↗ |
| Audio Advice | hifi independent | Free shipping on most orders. | Search at Audio Advice ↗ |
| eBay | marketplace | Shipping set per seller; many listings ship free within the US. | Search at eBay ↗ |
| Elusive Disc | hifi independent | Free shipping on orders over $79. | Search at Elusive Disc ↗ |
| Turntable Lab | hifi independent | Free shipping to the continental US on most orders (bulk/oversized items excluded). | Search at Turntable Lab ↗ |
| Upscale Audio | hifi independent | Free USA shipping on orders over $99 (exclusions for oversized items). | Search at Upscale Audio ↗ |
Live retailer offers
Checking current in-stock offers for Denon DP-3000NE…
Retailer searches
11 US retailers stock Denon — linked directly to the product page where we have one, otherwise to a site search for the deck.
| Retailer | Type | Shipping | Product link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Music Direct | hifi independent | Free shipping on orders over $49. | View at Music Direct ↗ |
| Turntable Lab | hifi independent | Free shipping to the continental US on most orders (bulk/oversized items excluded). | View at Turntable Lab ↗ |
| Amazon | marketplace | Free shipping on $35+ orders (free on most items with Prime, often same/next day). | Search at Amazon ↗ |
| Audio Advice | hifi independent | Free shipping on most orders. | Search at Audio Advice ↗ |
| B&H Photo Video | electronics chain | Free expedited shipping on most orders in the contiguous US. | Search at B&H Photo Video ↗ |
| Best Buy | electronics chain | Free shipping on orders $35+; free store pickup at most locations. | Search at Best Buy ↗ |
| Crutchfield | electronics chain | Free shipping on nearly all orders, with free 2-day delivery on most gear. | Search at Crutchfield ↗ |
| eBay | marketplace | Shipping set per seller; many listings ship free within the US. | Search at eBay ↗ |
| Reverb | used marketplace | Shipping set per seller; many listings ship free within the US. | Search at Reverb ↗ |
| Walmart | department store | Free shipping on orders $35+ (free with Walmart+); store pickup available. | Search at Walmart ↗ |
| World Wide Stereo | hifi independent | Free shipping on all orders. | Search at World Wide Stereo ↗ |