JICO Original MM Cartridge “Clipper”

JICO Original MM Cartridge
“Clipper”

JICO (NIPPON PRECISION JEWEL INDUSTRY CO., LTD.), a company specializing in the manufacturing of analog record-related products (Headquarters: Mikata District, Hyogo Prefecture; President: Yukihiro Nakagawa), is pleased to announce the release of its original MM cartridge, the “Clipper”, scheduled for launch on October 22, 2024.

“A Slightly Higher-Quality Model”

Envisioning 30 Years Ahead

JICO began manufacturing record needles in 1966, and now, nearly 60 years later, we have consistently produced third-party replicas of various manufacturers’ products. In May 2018, SHURE announced its withdrawal from the phono cartridge business. Three years later, in April 2021, JICO released a replica of the SHURE 44 series cartridge, followed by a complete replica of the replacement needle in November of the same year.

Both products were meticulously designed to achieve a faithful replica. However, while we strive for completeness, these products are still copies. Our vision is to evolve JICO from being solely a replacement needle manufacturer into a full-fledged cartridge manufacturer.

Replacement needles are only necessary because cartridges exist. Over the years, we have seen a gradual decline in the variety of needle orders from around the world compared to 30 years ago. If cartridges were to disappear, we would no longer be able to produce record needles—products that have long been synonymous with our company.

Even during the 1990s, when the music industry shifted rapidly from analog to digital, the flame of analog records remained vibrant. We continued our production efforts with a dedicated, albeit small, team. Who could have imagined that in the 2020s, analog records would witness a resurgence globally?

In 30, or even 50 years, our employees might look back and say, “We began producing replicas of SHURE cartridges during this time, and just four years later, we developed and launched our first original cartridge.” I envision our employees engaging in conversations at various stages of development and production, reflecting on those early struggles as a cartridge manufacturer and drawing inspiration from their journey to overcome the challenges ahead.

The Meaning Behind the Name “Clipper”

At JICO, we constantly pursue the question, “What defines the JICO Sound?” In 2021, shortly after releasing the SHURE 44 cartridge, we made the decision to begin research and development on a completely original MM cartridge, with the aim of releasing it in the fall of 2024. From that moment, our approach to the pursuit of the “JICO Sound” began to change. While creating replicas provides a clear target, this time we were starting from scratch. The first year felt like walking through a fog, and before we knew it, a year had flown by.

By 2022, we were holding repeated meetings between our technical and product planning teams to establish the basic structure and specifications. We began testing prototype cartridges in our listening room. About three months in, I had the opportunity to dine with a musician, and I asked, “What kind of sound should we aim for?” A few months later, he offered me this advice: “Why not aim for a sound that reflects the unique natural environment of the San’in region, where your factory is located?”

That single comment sparked a vivid and cohesive image for us, and everything clicked into place.

The name Clipper was inspired by Pan American Airways (Pan Am), an airline that, from the 1930s through the 1980s, was highly influential in the global aviation industry as a flagship carrier of the United States. Pan Am introduced the “Clipper Class,” which later evolved into what is now known as business class across the airline industry. Seat classes were printed on boarding passes, with the letters “F” for First Class, “C” for Clipper (Business) Class, and “Y” for Economy Class (based on the final letter of the word). While there are various theories about this, it is the most widely accepted explanation.

We chose the name Clipper to convey that this product offers a slightly higher-quality model compared to standard, mass-market MM cartridges.

“A Fusion of Past Excellence: A Timeless Yet Fresh Sound”

The World’s First Dual Fitting Model

During the product planning phase, someone suggested, “Why not make it compatible with SHURE’s 44 stylus?” The idea was immediately adopted without hesitation. While the Clipper’s dedicated replacement stylus is designed to create the optimal sound when paired with its cartridge, we also tested it with a variety of JICO’s 44 model replacement needles—ND(NUDE) tip, SD (Synthetic Diamond) tip, MORITA (Wood Cantilever) series, SAS, and more. We even tried fitting it with vintage SHURE needles. “What kind of sound will it produce?” The possibilities are exciting and full of intrigue.

Until now, no cartridge has offered this kind of versatility. (Though, unofficially, there have been cases where a SHURE stylus could be inserted into another brand’s cartridge, a little-known fact never officially disclosed by SHURE.)

We’re thrilled to offer a new way to enjoy your old records, providing a fresh take on a classic listening experience.

The World’s First Tapered S-Cantilever

Among the many cartridge manufacturers, AUDIO EMPIRE adopted a tapered cantilever design for their replacement styli, and in Japan, SWING record needles introduced their LT series with a similar concept. The purpose of tapering the cantilever is to reduce the mass at the tip, allowing for more accurate vibration reproduction. By physically tapering the cantilever—narrowing the tip and widening the base—the vibrations are amplified towards the rear, resulting in a more powerful sound.

By combining this tapered design with SHURE’s iconic S-cantilever shape, we’ve achieved a sound that merges the best of past innovations, creating a timeless yet fresh auditory experience.

Adopting the ND Tip

When finalizing the specifications, we carefully considered which tip to use from JICO’s extensive product range. The decision was not easy, and it came down to two finalists: the SD and ND (both conical tips). Each had its own distinct characteristics, making it difficult to choose between them. Ultimately, we decided on the ND tip because it best showcased one of Clipper’s key features—its tapered cantilever design.

Extensive listening tests across various music genres were conducted, comparing it to the SD tip. Overall, the ND tip excelled in beautifully highlighting the clarity and reproduction of the mid-to-high frequency ranges. The sound it produces is perfectly suited to JICO’s first fully original MM cartridge, rather than a replica.

ApexGlide Headshell

The finger lift on a headshell is typically placed on the outside for convenience. However, from a balance and center of gravity perspective, having it along the centerline is ideal. In terms of design, the cartridge body features a rounded shape that conveys a “beautiful and gentle” impression. The finger lift, on the other hand, is designed with a sharp, angular form, evoking the vertical tail fin of an airliner, adding a sense of “style and speed.”

This unique design may feel unfamiliar when you first place a record on the turntable, but we hope users will enjoy discovering their own way to trace and handle it comfortably.

Commitment to Form Design
Pursuing a Sleek Look When Mounted on a Turntable or Arm

Over the course of two years, the product development team, centered around the planning department, worked on designing this product with one key question in mind: “Will people still think it looks cool 30 or even 50 years from now?”

To start, we observed that many moving objects in the world—cars, ships, motorcycles, bicycles, airplanes, and trains—tend to have a ‘cool’ look. We drew inspiration from as many of these as possible. Most of them feature streamlined shapes, which can be categorized into either sharp, angular lines or soft, curved forms.

For this model, since the sonic concept was inspired by the “rich natural landscapes of the San’in region,” we aimed for a form that is “gentle and calming” yet still stylish. This vision guided us to the final design.

How will the overall form appear to everyone? Just as everyone hears sound differently, people will also perceive its form in their own unique way. Enjoy the aesthetics of this cartridge as much as you enjoy its sound—both are integral to the “JICO Sound” experience.