Audio T Verdict
The Michell Cusis S is a reference moving coil cartridge designed to retrieve fine musical detail without losing the natural weight and flow that make vinyl so engaging.
Its Shibata stylus traces a greater area of the record groove than a conventional elliptical profile, while the lightweight boron cantilever transfers its movement to a precision-wound moving coil generator.
With a 0.4mV output and recommended 100-ohm loading, the Cusis S requires a properly matched moving coil phono stage. It also deserves careful installation and alignment, but in a suitable turntable and tonearm it offers an excellent route into genuinely high-end vinyl playback.
Michell Cusis S Moving Coil Cartridge
The Michell Cusis S is a low-output moving coil cartridge featuring a Shibata diamond stylus, boron cantilever and extended 20Hz–35kHz frequency response.
It sits above the elliptical-stylus Cusis E and combines Michell's moving coil generator with a more advanced stylus and cantilever assembly. It is designed for high-quality turntables, tonearms and phono stages capable of revealing its increased tracking precision and detail retrieval.
Shibata Stylus Profile
The Shibata stylus has a narrow contact profile that follows fine groove modulations while maintaining a relatively large contact area against the groove walls.
When correctly aligned, this design can improve:
- Retrieval of fine musical detail
- High-frequency tracking
- Separation of closely recorded instruments
- Clarity towards the inner grooves of a record
- Contact with less-worn areas of the groove wall
The benefits of an advanced stylus profile depend on accurate cartridge alignment, tracking force and tonearm setup.
Boron Cantilever
The stylus is mounted to a boron cantilever. Boron provides a lightweight and rigid connection between the diamond and the moving coil generator, helping the cartridge respond quickly to changes in the record groove.
The Cusis S extends to a published 35kHz, compared with 25kHz for Michell's elliptical-stylus Cusis E models.
Michell Moving Coil Generator
At the heart of the Cusis S is a samarium-cobalt magnet combined with pure iron to create a stable magnetic field.
Pure 30-micron copper wire is precision wound onto an ultra-lightweight armature. As the stylus and cantilever move through the record groove, the coils move within the magnetic field and generate the cartridge's electrical output.
A specially designed damper supports the stylus assembly and helps it track the groove accurately.
Resonance-Controlled Construction
The internal cartridge mechanism is mounted to a large aluminium chassis designed to provide a rigid foundation and absorb unwanted vibration.
A high-density Acetyl outer body adds further damping around the generator assembly. Its material, shape and exterior pattern are designed to reduce resonance before it can colour the cartridge's output.
0.4mV Moving Coil Output
The Cusis S produces an output of 0.4mV and must be connected to a suitable low-output moving coil phono stage or MC input.
Michell recommends a 100-ohm load. Phono-stage gain should be selected to suit the 0.4mV output while providing comfortable volume without excessive noise or overload.
The Michell Apollo Phono Stage and Muse Power Supply provides suitable moving coil gain and a 100-ohm loading option.
A Moving Coil Phono Stage Is Required
The Cusis S is not intended for direct connection to a standard moving magnet phono input.
A conventional MM stage will normally provide insufficient gain and the wrong input loading. Check the phono-stage specification before installation.
Tracking Force and Setup
Michell specifies a tracking force of 2.0g and a tracking ability of 70 microns at that setting.
Correct installation should include:
- Accurate cartridge alignment
- Tracking force set with a suitable stylus gauge
- Correct anti-skate adjustment
- Tonearm height and cartridge attitude checked
- Secure cartridge mounting
- Careful connection of the four tonearm leads
- Confirmation of tonearm and cartridge compatibility
The Shibata stylus is particularly sensitive to alignment, so professional fitting is strongly recommended.
Tonearm Compatibility
The Cusis S weighs 8.9g and has a compliance of 8 x 10-6cm/dyne.
Compatibility depends on the effective mass and adjustment range of the tonearm. The arm must also accommodate the cartridge's weight, tracking force and alignment requirements.
Audio T can check compatibility before fitting the Cusis S to a Michell or third-party turntable.
Run-In Period
Michell recommends more than 40 hours of use before the cartridge is considered fully run in.
During this period, the suspension and damper settle through normal record playback. Cartridge loading, alignment and tracking force should not be deliberately altered simply to compensate for temporary changes during run-in.
Key Features
- Reference low-output moving coil cartridge
- Shibata diamond stylus profile
- Lightweight boron cantilever
- 0.4mV output voltage
- 20Hz–35kHz frequency response
- Recommended 100-ohm loading
- 2.0g tracking force
- 25dB channel separation
- Channel balance better than 1dB
- Samarium-cobalt magnetic system
- Pure 30-micron copper coils
- Large aluminium internal chassis
- High-density Acetyl body
- 8.9g cartridge weight
- Run-in period exceeding 40 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Michell Cusis S a moving magnet or moving coil cartridge?
It is a low-output moving coil cartridge.
What stylus does the Cusis S use?
It uses a Shibata-profile diamond stylus mounted to a boron cantilever.
What is the output voltage?
Michell specifies an output of 0.4mV.
Which phono-stage loading should I use?
Michell recommends a 100-ohm input load.
Can it be used with a moving magnet phono stage?
Not directly. It requires a suitable moving coil input, configurable phono stage or compatible step-up arrangement.
What tracking force should be used?
The recommended tracking force is 2.0g.
How much does the cartridge weigh?
Approximately 8.9g.
What is the frequency response?
Michell specifies 20Hz to 35kHz.
Will it fit any tonearm?
Not necessarily. Tonearm effective mass, counterweight range, mounting and adjustment should all be checked before purchase.
How long does it take to run in?
Michell recommends more than 40 hours of normal record playback.
Can Audio T fit and align it?
Yes. Contact your local store to discuss turntable compatibility and professional cartridge installation.
Related Michell Products and Vinyl Guides
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Turntable and tonearm compatibility checks
- Professional cartridge fitting and alignment
- Tracking force and anti-skate setup
- Moving coil phono-stage matching
- Cartridge loading and gain configuration
- Demonstrations with suitable vinyl systems
- Ongoing setup and after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store to discuss installation or arrange a demonstration of the Michell Cusis S.