Van Den Hul Colibri XGW Gran Cru Elite Moving Coil Cartridge

The VDH Colibri XGW 'Gran Cru' is the culmination of A.J. van den Hul's 44 years of phono cartridge research and development. The Colibri Gran Cru (a special Grand Vintage, you might say) features hand-wound gold wire coils and a solid boron cantilever while the outer shell, or cartridge body, is constructed from the Koa tree. This is a Hawaiin tree revered for its use in instrument making and some surfboards.

This translates to a targeted set of resonance patterns within the structure leading to pleasing music reproduction.

Pairing this Koa wood with the hand-wound matched crystal gold coils AND an extra magnet for even more resolution means this cartridge hits the next level in performance.

This is an extraordinary cartridge, that gives you everything - Resolution, musicality, huge dynamics and warmth.

Specifications

Needle grinding VDH type 1

Output voltage 0.6mv/channel

Needle carrier material Boron

Coil material Matched crystal gold

Case material Wooden case special version

Break-in time 50 hours

compliance 35micron/mN

Product family Condor, Canary, Crimson, Grasshopper, Black Beauty

execution Open case

scope of delivery Wooden box with individual product features and product code, headshell spirit level, mounting screws

Special feature Handcrafted – Fair service – Can be repaired even after decades

Upgrades Yes

Sound description Light-footed, ultra-dynamic, ultra-resolution, ultra-fast, maximum room illumination

Music genre recommendation Classical, jazz, large orchestras, audiophile, all-rounder

tracking force 1.5g-1.35g Tip: If the cartridge is new (or has been serviced and received a new damper), start with increased tracking force of approx. 1.6g and then reduce this to 1.35g after the break-in process. Since each pickup is custom-made, it is always worth finding the individual setting.

Antiskating value maximum 0.6

Testability Max

Channel separation >35/>30dB

Vertical scanning angle 22 degrees

Rec.eff. Tonearm mass 10-16g

Connection resistance 50-1000 ohms

Channel imbalance <0.3dB

Coil resistance 36 ohms +/-10%

Frequency response 5-65,000Hz