Michell Audio CUSIS S

With a compliance of 8x10-6cm/dyne, the Cusis S is a low-compliance cartridge. It performs best on medium-to-high mass tonearms that can provide the necessary stability for its tracking characteristics.

Yes, the Shibata profile is highly sensitive to alignment due to its complex shape. To achieve the best high-frequency response and minimize distortion, ensure your cartridge alignment is precise using a high-quality protractor.

The Cusis S is designed for a loading of 100 Ω. This setting ensures the cartridge maintains its neutral, detailed sound profile without rolling off the high frequencies.

The manufacturer recommends a run-in period of at least 40 hours. You will likely notice the soundstage opening up and the bass tightening as the suspension and damper settle during this time.

Because this is a moving coil cartridge with a 0.4mV output, you will need a phono stage that supports MC cartridges with sufficient gain. Ensure your phono preamp can handle the 100 Ω loading requirement for optimal performance.

The Acetyl body is specifically chosen for its excellent resonance-dampening properties. By absorbing unwanted vibrations at the source, it allows the stylus to track the groove more accurately, resulting in a cleaner and more detailed presentation.