The JICO Clipper Might Be the Most Versatile Cartridge You’ve Ever Seen

JICO, a Japanese firm greatest identified for its turntable cartridges and substitute styli, has simply launched its first Moving Magnet (MM) cartridge, the JICO Clipper. Designed with each audiophiles and DJs in thoughts, the Clipper’s standout options embody dual-fitting compatibility and a Tapered S-Cantilever, a design meant to enhance how vibrations are transmitted by means of the stylus. Priced at $449.99 at B&H, it’s positioned as a high-performance possibility for these trying to fine-tune their vinyl setup.

One of essentially the most attention-grabbing facets of the JICO Clipper is its dual-fitting functionality. In easy phrases, it means this cartridge isn’t restricted to only one stylus kind. It’s designed to work optimally with JICO’s personal CRCP/MK1 stylus, but it surely’s additionally appropriate with JICO’s N44-7 and N44G styluses.

More importantly, it additionally suits a variety of Shure 44-series substitute needles, together with JICO’s Nude Diamond (ND), Synthetic Diamond (SD), MORITA Wood Cantilever, and SAS fashions. Even classic Shure styli can be utilized with it.

For vinyl collectors, this flexibility makes it simple to check out completely different stylus sorts with out having to switch the complete cartridge. DJs, alternatively, would possibly respect the power to swap styluses relying on the kind of music they’re enjoying or how aggressively they combine.

Another key function of the Clipper is its Tapered S-Cantilever, which is impressed by older designs from Audio Empire and Swing report needles. But what does that truly imply?

The cantilever is the small rod that connects the stylus tip to the cartridge physique. In the Clipper’s case, the tapered design reduces mass close to the tip, which is meant to lead to extra exact vibration transmission. The objective is to enhance sound readability and element, significantly within the mid-to-high frequencies.

JICO examined varied supplies earlier than selecting a stable pure diamond conical tip. While completely different stylus shapes can provide various efficiency traits, conical ideas are sometimes praised for his or her easy sound and robust monitoring capacity.

Aside from efficiency, JICO has additionally put some thought into the Clipper’s design. It incorporates a shiny black UVCRM resin physique, a fabric chosen to reinforce each sturdiness and aesthetics.

One of the extra visually distinctive options is the ApexGlide Headshell finger raise. If you look intently, it’s designed to resemble an airplane tail fin. While that is principally a stylistic contact, it does serve a practical goal, making it simpler to raise the cartridge off a report when wanted.

JICO has additionally partnered with KORG to incorporate the Clipper cartridge on the limited-edition handytraxx tube J transportable report participant. This means that JICO sees the Clipper as not only a high-end audiophile product but additionally one thing versatile sufficient for informal and cellular listening setups.

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