Description
Clear, Balanced Sound from Reference Moving Coil Cartridge
Does your cartridge allow you to hear more detail in your music without harsh or dead sound? Michell takes a different approach with the Michell Cusis S moving coil cartridge. Designed to enhance detail retrieval, balance, and musicality, you’ll notice more from your records without sacrificing presentation.
Samarium-cobalt magnets paired with pure iron provide a consistent magnetic field while pure 30μ copper wires create coils around the super-lightweight armature. A lighter armature helps the cartridge track the record groove with accuracy and pull out even the subtlest musical details.
Accurate Tracking, Damped Resonance
Accurate groove tracking is achieved with the combination of Shibata stylus and boron cantilever. The finely-tuned damper supports the stylus assembly while also controlling its movement as it makes contact with the record groove. As such, you can expect retrieval of subtle details and balanced representation of your favorite music.
An aluminum chassis dampens resonance while Michell’s high-density Acetyl body further stabilizes the cartridge. Controlled movement allows for clear, detailed sound with less distortion and wider frequency response.
A Refined Choice for Vinyl Systems
Technical specs include a frequency response of 20Hz–35kHz, 0.4mV output voltage, 25dB channel separation. With 100Ω loading and a 2.0g tracking force, you can easily pair the cartridge with a phono stage and tonearm with similar ratings. Always confirm your system matches with the cartridge before purchasing.
Musicality shines with the Michell Cusis S moving coil cartridge. Whether you want to hear more from your records or enjoy your vinyl collection as is, the cartridge details music naturally. Reference cartridges like the Cusis S are ideal when building a carefully selected hi-fi setup. Take note that the cartridge has a run-in time of over 40 hours to reach optimal performance. Use Home Theater Design Tool to map out your entire listening experience and Dreamedia+ to discover other great audio products.
Key Features
Reference moving coil cartridge
Shibata stylus
Boron cantilever
Samarium-cobalt magnet
Pure 30μ copper coils
Aluminum chassis
High-density Acetyl body
20Hz–35kHz frequency response
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.
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