Michell Audio CUSIS S Moving Coil Cartridge - Dreamedia AV

Vendor: Michell Audio

Michell Audio CUSIS S Moving Coil Cartridge

Low-output moving coil cartridge with Shibata stylus

$1,999.00; $1,999.00
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Michell Audio CUSIS S Moving Coil Cartridge

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Unveiling the Pinnacle of Analog Precision: The Michell Audio CUSIS S Moving Coil Cartridge

In the world of audiophiles, the quest for the ultimate sound experience is a journey of passion, precision, and perfection. The Michell Audio CUSIS S Moving Coil Cartridge is a testament to this relentless pursuit, crafted for those who demand nothing but the purest audio reproduction from their vinyl collection.

Experience Unsurpassed Audio Fidelity

The CUSIS S is not just a cartridge; it's the heart of your turntable, pulsating with every nuance and detail of your favorite records. Michell Engineering, with its storied history in high-fidelity audio design, has created a masterpiece that stands as a beacon of excellence in the world of high-end audio components.

Type: Low-output moving-coil phono cartridge
Output Voltage: 0.4mV
Tracking Force: 2.0g
Frequency Response: 20-35,000Hz
Channel Separation: 25dB
Channel Balance: <1dB
Internal Impedance: 4.5 Ω
Load: 100 ohm
Compliance: 8 × 10–6 cm/dyne
Weight: 8.9 g
Run-in Period: > 40 Hours

Crafted with the Finest Materials

The CUSIS S boasts a boron cantilever and Shibata stylus, a combination revered for its durability and precision. The body is constructed from high-density acetyl, known for its acoustic dampening properties, ensuring that the music you hear is as the artist intended—pure, uncolored, and true to life.

Cantilever Material: Boron
Stylus Profile: Shibata
Body Material: Acetyl
Coil Material: Pure 30µ Copper

Designed for the Discerning Listener

Whether you're a seasoned audiophile or a vinyl enthusiast, the CUSIS S will elevate your listening experience. With its accurate tracking and retrieval of musical details, you'll rediscover your records in a way you never thought possible. The neutral and detailed sound, complemented by a smooth response, allows for an even-handed neutrality that brings out the best in any genre.

Accurate tracking and retrieval of musical details
Neutral and detailed sound with good bass extension
Smooth response with quiet groove and even-headed neutrality
Excellent tracking of dynamic peaks and subtle details

Dynamic, Open Sound with Good Bass

The Michell Audio CUSIS S is engineered to deliver a dynamic and open sound that captivates the listener. The bass is not just heard but felt, extending deep into the realms of the recording, while the high-frequency response ensures that you capture every cymbal shimmer and string vibration.

Precision Stylus Tracking

Precision in tracking is not merely a feature—it's the cornerstone of the CUSIS S. The Shibata stylus is meticulously shaped to track the grooves of your records with an unrivaled level of detail and neutrality, ensuring that every playback is a true representation of the original recording.

Designed for Maximum Performance

At Michell Engineering, performance is paramount, and with the CUSIS S, cost is no object when it comes to achieving the peak of audio fidelity. This is a cartridge designed for those who want the best-in-class performance without compromise.

Positive Reviews and Recognition

The Michell Audio CUSIS S has garnered positive reviews and recognition in group tests for its sound quality and performance. It's a product celebrated by critics and users alike for its ability to unravel layers of sound previously unheard in recordings.

Addressing Potential Concerns

Some may hesitate at the CUSIS S's price point, but when you consider the transformative impact it will have on your audio experience, it becomes an investment in unparalleled musical enjoyment. The meticulous craftsmanship and advanced materials justify the cost for those who appreciate the finest in sound reproduction.

Ease of Use and Compatibility

While the CUSIS S is a paragon of high-end audio technology, it remains user-friendly and is compatible with a wide range of high-quality turntables. The setup is straightforward, and Dreamedia is always here to assist in designing your ultimate home theater system, ensuring that this cartridge integrates seamlessly into your audio setup.

The Run-in Period: A Journey to Acoustic Excellence

The greater than 40-hour run-in period is a testament to the CUSIS S's potential. As you play your records, the cartridge will evolve and settle, revealing layers of depth and clarity that will continue to astonish you over time.

Why Choose the Michell Audio CUSIS S?

Choosing the CUSIS S is a statement of your commitment to audio excellence. It's an acknowledgment that you accept nothing less than the best in your pursuit of the perfect soundstage. With the CUSIS S, you become part of an exclusive club of audiophiles who understand the significance of exceptional audio reproduction.

Neutral and detailed sound
Durable boron cantilever material
Wide frequency response range
Accurate stereo imaging
Stable magnetic field and high-quality construction
Unrivaled detail and neutrality

Your Invitation to Audio Perfection

Dreamedia extends an invitation to experience the Michell Audio CUSIS S Moving Coil Cartridge—a component that redefines the boundaries of vinyl playback. With our expertise in home theater technology, we are poised to assist you in crafting a system that not only meets but exceeds your expectations.

Join us in celebrating the art of sound with the Michell Audio CUSIS S, and step into a world where music is not just heard but felt, where every note is a brushstroke on the canvas of auditory bliss. This is not just a purchase; it's an investment in the soundtrack of your life.

Our Review

Michell Audio CUSIS S Moving Coil Cartridge Review

Introduction

The heart of any vinyl playback system is arguably the phono cartridge. It's the first point in the audio chain where the rubber meets the road—or more accurately, where the stylus meets the groove. A high-quality cartridge can elevate the listening experience, extracting every nuance from the record's surface. Michell Engineering, a British company known for their precision turntables, brings audiophiles the CUSIS S Moving Coil Cartridge, a component promising to harness the full potential of vinyl records.

Design and Build Quality

Physical Construction

The Michell Audio CUSIS S features a body crafted from acetyl, a thermoplastic known for its strength and rigidity. This choice of material minimizes unwanted resonances, ensuring a purer audio signal. The cartridge's aesthetic is sleek, with a no-nonsense design that speaks to its audiophile target market. The boron cantilever adds to the durability, as boron is known for its stiffness and lightness, translating to less wear on records and a longer life for the stylus.

Stylus and Cantilever

The Shibata stylus is a revered profile among vinyl enthusiasts, known for its ability to retrieve high-frequency details and its gentle treatment of vinyl grooves. Paired with a boron cantilever, the CUSIS S is engineered to deliver a remarkable level of clarity and precision in sound reproduction, making it a formidable player in its price bracket.

Features

Technical Specifications

The CUSIS S boasts an output of 0.4 mV, which is robust for a low-output moving coil cartridge, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of phono stages. A tracking force of 2.0 g and a load of 100 ohms are fairly standard, but it's the compliance of 8 × 10–6 cm/dyne that indicates this cartridge's ability to respond nimbly to vinyl's micro-variations. The channel balance of less than 1dB and separation of 25dB are indicative of the cartridge's capacity to produce a focused and immersive stereo image.

Unique Selling Points

Michell's choice of pure 30µ copper for the coil material is a testament to their commitment to quality, as it ensures minimal signal loss and superior electrical conductivity. The frequency response range of 20-35000Hz is wide enough to capture the full spectrum of audible sound, promising an authentic and full-bodied listening experience.

Performance

Sound Quality

The CUSIS S delivers a sound that is neutral and detailed, with a bass extension that is both surprising and satisfying for a cartridge of its class. The midrange is articulate, and the treble, thanks to the Shibata stylus, is crisp without being sibilant. This cartridge manages to walk the fine line between analytical sound and musical enjoyment.

Tracking and Response

Michell Audio's cartridge performs admirably when it comes to tracking. It navigates dynamic peaks with aplomb and extracts subtle details from complex passages, a testament to the precision engineering of its stylus and cantilever. The tracking ability of 70µ / 2.0g ensures that the stylus remains locked in the groove, even during challenging high-energy passages.

Setup and Calibration

Like most high-end cartridges, the CUSIS S requires careful setup to shine. Precise azimuth and vertical alignment are crucial to achieving the optimal soundstage and imaging. This may be a meticulous process, but the auditory rewards justify the effort.

Compatibility and Integration

The cartridge should be well-matched with a variety of high-quality tonearms and turntables. However, due to its low-output design, the CUSIS S will need a phono preamp capable of accommodating such cartridges, either through a dedicated MC input or with the help of a step-up transformer.

User Experience

Ease of Use

While the setup process is detailed and may be daunting for novices, the documentation provided by Michell is thorough. Users who are new to high-end cartridges may need to seek professional setup or be willing to invest time in learning the intricacies of cartridge alignment.

Maintenance and Durability

The CUSIS S has a run-in period of over 40 hours, after which the sound will settle and reach its full potential. Long-term maintenance is typical of moving coil cartridges, with stylus replacement being a specialized service. The robust build quality suggests a long lifespan, provided that the cartridge is well cared for.

Value Proposition

Priced at £1,350, the CUSIS S is not an impulse buy. However, for the audiophile looking to extract every ounce of performance from their vinyl collection, it represents a significant value proposition. Its performance rivals that of cartridges at much higher price points, making it a savvy investment for serious listeners.

Final Thoughts

The Michell Audio CUSIS S Moving Coil Cartridge is a sterling example of high-fidelity engineering. Its strengths lie in its exceptional tracking ability, detailed sound reproduction, and robust build quality. While it demands careful setup and alignment, the sonic rewards are substantial. For those with a discerning ear and a turntable system of sufficient quality, the CUSIS S is a compelling choice that is likely to elevate the vinyl listening experience to new heights.

Specifications