Introducing JICO: Japanese Craftsmanship for Turntable Lovers
We’re proud to announce that JICO is now available to buy online at VAL HiFi.
Handmade in Japan, JICO’s styli and cartridges have earned legendary status among audiophiles, DJs, and collectors alike. Best known for producing precise, high-quality replacements for classic Shure designs, JICO is also pushing innovation forward with its own fully original cartridges like the Seto-Hori, Clipper and Omnia series which we cover in more detail below.
Whether you're rediscovering records or fine-tuning a reference system, JICO makes products that elevate your vinyl experience.
The Story Behind JICO
Founded in 1873 as a needle manufacturer in Japan’s Shizuoka prefecture, JICO has over 150 years of precision craft behind it. Though the company’s roots are in textile needles, it began making phonograph styli in 1949, developing into one of the most respected cartridge and stylus manufacturers in the world.
What sets JICO apart is their unmatched quality control, hand assembly, and deep understanding of what music lovers expect from analogue gear. Every stylus is handcrafted in Japan, using techniques honed over decades.
Today, JICO is known both for its faithful Shure replacements and its growing range of original cartridges and designs.
VAL’s Favourites
With a wide selection of styli and cartridges available, choosing the right one can be a joy in itself. To help narrow things down, here are three standout models we’ve personally tested and rated highly for their performance, design, and value. Whether you’re building your first system or refining a reference setup, these are a great place to start.
JICO Seto-hori
The Seto-Hori is a moving coil cartridge built in the ancient ceramic city of Seto, blending tradition with cutting-edge engineering. Its ceramic composite body, elliptical diamond tip and low resonance design create an incredibly natural, fluid presentation. For those building a truly musical vinyl system, the Seto-Hori is a standout choice.
JICO Clipper
The Clipper marks JICO’s first fully proprietary moving magnet cartridge. Designed with a dual-fitting design, it works with both its own stylus and Shure-44 replacements—offering maximum flexibility. A world-first tapered S-cantilever and nude conical diamond tip deliver a clean, punchy sound that’s full of life. It's perfect for those who want versatility without compromising sonic performance.
JICO J50
Part of JICO’s premium OMNIA series, the J50 Yurushi-Iro is a beautifully engineered MM cartridge. It features a carbon fibre-reinforced cantilever, nude elliptical stylus, and custom-tuned internals designed for natural tonal balance and low distortion. The result is a refined, open sound that’s equally at home with acoustic recordings and electronic detail. Elegant, precise, and easy to match with a wide range of tonearms.
The Perfect Match for Your Turntable
If you're considering a cartridge upgrade, the JICO range offers exceptional compatibility and performance across a wide range of systems. Whether you're spinning jazz, electronic, folk or classical records, you’ll hear more depth, texture and nuance in every groove.
Pair your new cartridge with one of our handpicked turntables or explore our phono stages for the full analogue experience. Need help choosing the right match? Our Concierge Service is here to guide you, please contact us here to get started.
Why Buy JICO from VAL HiFi?
As one of the UK’s most trusted destinations for high-performance audio, we offer:
Free UK delivery on all JICO products
Expert advice from real analogue enthusiasts
A curated range that only includes products we genuinely love and use
JICO’s blend of tradition, precision and sonic character makes them a perfect fit for the VAL HiFi collection—and we’re excited to bring them to more UK listeners.
Explore the full JICO collection or get in touch to find the best cartridge for your setup.