Van Den Hul Colibri XGW Grand Cru Phono Cartridge

Brand: Van Den Hul

Van Den Hul Colibri XGW Grand Cru Phono Cartridge

$17,500.00 AUD

The Colibri XGW ‘Grand Cru’ Phono Cartridge is a high-performance moving coil cartridge featuring a luxurious Koa wooden body and advanced engineering for unmatched sound clarity. Designed by A.J. van den Hul, it incorporates an extra magnet and a shortened cantilever to enhance resolution, reduce distortion, and deliver precise sound reproduction. With a frequency range of 5–65,000 Hz and channel separation of over 35 dB, it captures intricate musical details with elegance. Customisable output levels, coil materials, and configurations make it ideal for classical, jazz, and all-around music listening. Handcrafted to perfection, the Grand Cru is the pinnacle of audiophile precision.

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Specifications

Van Den Hul Colibri XGW Grand Cru Phono Cartridge

Specification	Value
Body type	Koa wooden body
Standard output level	0.60mV at 5.6cm/s
Optional output levels	Various levels from 0.30mV to 1.1mV
Extra magnet	Improves resolution capabilities and magnetic field
Different body types	-W (Wooden body), -P (Carbon plastic body), -M (Metal body), -A (Amber body)
Stylus shape	VDH - 1S
Stylus radius	2 x 85 Micron
Frequency range	5 - 65,000 Hz
Tracking force range	1.35-1.5g (13.5 - 15 mN) see (*3)
Static compliance	35 Micron/mN see extra info (*3)
Dynamic compliance	20 Micron/mN
Tracking ability	70 Micron
Output voltage options	A) 0.38 mV RMS, B) 0.30 mV RMS, C) 0.65 mV RMS
Channel unbalance	< 0.5 dB
Channel separation	> 35 / > 30 dB
Stylus tip mass	0.24 Milligram
System weight	See extra info (*4)
Vertical tracking angle	22 Degrees
Load capacitance	Non critical
Load impedance	20-47,000 Ohm - Advisable 50-600 Ohm, XC-Version: 20-47,000 Ohm - Advisable 20-600 Ohm, X-HO-Version: 20-47,000 Ohm - Advisable 50-600 Ohm
Eff tone arm mass	See extra info (3) + (4) + (*5)
Moving coil resistance	A) 36 Ohm +/- 10%, B) 21 Ohm +/- 10%, C) 96 Ohm +/- 10%

Product Details

Colibri XGW ‘Grand Cru’ Offers Premium Sound Precision with Koa Wooden Body

The Colibri XGW ‘Grand Cru’ is a meticulously crafted phono cartridge designed to deliver unmatched sound clarity and precision. Built with a luxurious Koa wooden body, it exemplifies a harmonious blend of elegant craftsmanship and cutting-edge engineering, making it a standout choice for audiophiles.

Features an Advanced Magnetic Design for Superior Resolution

The Colibri XGW incorporates an extra magnet to enhance its resolution capabilities and refine the magnetic field, significantly reducing distortion and noise. This improvement allows the cartridge to capture intricate sound details, such as the decay of instrument notes, with remarkable clarity. The minimized magnetic circuit also reduces mass, enabling compatibility with lighter tonearms while ensuring excellent tracking performance.

Output Voltage Flexibility: Standard output level is 0.60mV at 5.6cm/s. Custom levels from 0.30mV to 1.1mV are available upon request to suit diverse audio setups.
Shortened Cantilever Design: By eliminating the front pole, the cantilever length is reduced, delivering improved transduction accuracy and directness in sound reproduction.

Available in Multiple Configurations to Suit All Listening Preferences

The Colibri series offers a range of versions tailored to various musical genres and equipment setups:

XG Version (Gold Wire Coils):

Medium Output: 0.38mV/channel
Optimized for classical music, where spaciousness and tonal detail are paramount.
Includes subtypes such as XGW (wooden body) and XGP (carbon plastic body).

XC Version (Copper Wire Coils):

Low Output: 0.30mV/channel
The versatile, all-round model ideal for a wide variety of genres.
Subtypes include XCW (wooden body) and XCM (metal body).

High Output Versions (XC-HO & XG-HO):

High Output: 0.65mV/channel
Perfectly suited for jazz music, where dynamic sound reproduction is essential.

Hand-Built Quality for Personalised Perfection

Every Colibri XGW ‘Grand Cru’ cartridge is hand-built by the renowned cartridge designer A.J. van den Hul, ensuring unparalleled attention to detail. Audiophiles can request custom configurations to meet specific needs, such as tonearm compatibility, preamp and load impedance preferences, or even engraving their name on the wooden casing.

Precision Engineering for Unparalleled Sound Reproduction

The Colibri XGW boasts an impressive frequency range of 5 – 65,000 Hz, capturing every nuance of the music. Key technical highlights include:

Stylus Shape: VDH-1S with a radius of 2 x 85 microns for accurate groove tracking.
Channel Separation: > 35 dB, ensuring distinct left and right channel clarity.
Tracking Force Range: 1.35 – 1.5g for optimal performance across various tonearms.
Dynamic Compliance: 20 micron/mN, offering smooth responsiveness to groove modulations.

Ideal for Audiophiles Seeking Elegance and Precision

The Colibri XGW ‘Grand Cru’ is a tribute to the pursuit of sonic excellence. Its hand-matched crystal copper or gold wire coils provide channel outputs of 0.30mV, 0.38mV, or 0.65mV, tailored to meet the needs of classical, jazz, and general music lovers alike. Whether paired with a high-end turntable or a bespoke audio system, this cartridge embodies the swiftness, elegance, and clarity of its namesake, the hummingbird.

This is not just a phono cartridge; it's a masterpiece that transforms music into an auditory experience of unparalleled depth and refinement.

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