Japanese analogue specialist JICO has added a new member to its C‑REVO cartridge family. The Clipper‑S is a moving‑magnet (MM) cartridge and head-shell system designed specifically for straight tonearms and is now available in the UK.
Unlike S‑ and J‑shaped arms, straight arms don’t have the same offset angle at the headshell, which can lead to misalignment if you fit a conventional head-shell. JICO’s latest design counters this by angling the head-shell itself to maintain correct cartridge geometry, ensuring accurate tracking and preventing the distortion or record wear that can occur when an S‑arm head-shell is used on a straight tonearm.
Straight‑arm popularity meets Japanese engineering
Interest in straight‑arm turntables is rising among younger vinyl listeners, yet many cartridges still assume an S‑shaped arm. JICO’s original Clipper cartridge, launched in 2024, was a dual‑fit design for S‑ and J‑shaped tonearms.
The new Clipper‑S builds on that success by addressing the alignment challenges of straight arms. Its angled headshell maintains proper cartridge geometry and reduces the risk of record wear, supporting balanced playback across the record surface.
Inside the head-shell is JICO’s own tapered S‑cantilever, a low‑mass aluminium arm that balances stiffness with flexibility. At the business end sits a solid conical diamond stylus, chosen for its clarity and natural mid‑range reproduction. The combination is designed to deliver natural, faithful sound reproduction even on the tighter geometry of a straight arm.
Compatibility and specification
One of the original Clipper’s calling cards was its dual‑fit body that accepts a wide range of stylus options – from JICO’s own ND and SAS lines to Shure’s vintage N44‑G and N44‑7 tips. JICO hasn’t abandoned that flexibility; the Clipper‑S accepts the same stylus as the standard Clipper and is also compatible with Shure‑44 replacement styli. That makes it a tempting option for DJ‑style cueing or “stylus rolling” experiments, where swapping stylus types can subtly change the cartridge’s sonic character. It’s also designed to work with KORG’s handytraxx portable turntables, such as the handytraxx Tube and 1‑bit models.
On paper, the Clipper‑S follows the core Clipper specification. It’s a moving‑magnet cartridge with a frequency response of 20 Hz–20 kHz and an output voltage between 5.0 mV and 8.0 mV. JICO quotes a 2.0 ±0.2 g tracking force, a 0.7 mil tip size and a stylus life of around 200 hours. The body is made from UVCRM resin – a stiff, UV‑curable composite – and the total weight, including headshell, is about 13.4 g. As part of JICO’s C‑REVO line the cartridge is manufactured in Japan.
Key specifications
- Cartridge type: Moving Magnet (MM) Universal half‑inch mount
- Stylus: Solid natural diamond, conical 0.7 mil tip
- Cantilever Tapered aluminium S‑cantilever – Low mass, high rigidity
- Frequency response: 20 Hz–20 kHz – Output voltage 5–8 mV
- Tracking force: 2.0 ± 0.2 g Stylus life ≈ 200 h
- Weigh’t≈ 13.4 g (incl. headshell)
- Body: UVCRM resin
Price and UK availability
The Clipper‑S is available now through JICO’s UK distributor Feel Flows Audio at a recommended retail price of £399.95. That positions it in the premium end of the moving‑magnet market but below many moving‑coil designs. Distribution is initially limited to the UK, although the cartridge is likely to appear on JICO’s international webshop once global demand picks up. As a bonus, early buyers can leverage the Clipper‑S’s backwards compatibility with JICO’s Clipper stylus to roll different tips without replacing the whole cartridge, saving money over time.
About JICO
JICO (Nippon Precision Jewel Industry Co.) began life in 1873 making sewing machine needles and produced its first record stylus in 1966. Today the company offers over 2,000 handcrafted stylus models and is a key supplier of replacement tips for classic Shure DJ cartridges. The original Clipper cartridge, which the Clipper‑S builds upon, features a dual‑fit design and a body made from UVCRM resin. It allows users to fit a wide range of JICO and Shure styli, from nude diamond and synthetic diamond tips to the Morita wood‑cantilever and SAS “Super Analogue Stylus” models. This flexibility has made the Clipper popular among vinyl enthusiasts who enjoy experimenting with different stylus profiles.
The Clipper‑S continues JICO’s move beyond replacement styli into original cartridge design. By addressing the alignment challenges of straight‑arm decks and offering compatibility with both JICO and Shure stylus families, it broadens the company’s appeal to DJs, audiophiles and everyday vinyl fans alike. With demand for straight‑arm decks growing, the Clipper‑S could become a go‑to option for anyone seeking a high‑quality, easy‑to‑swap cartridge system that won’t compromise their records.
