Van Den Hul Colibri XGW SPED Mk.2 African Grenadille Gold Coil

Our top model custom handbuilt phono cartridge, featuring matched crystal copper coils and 0.22 or 0.30mV/channel output. A version with matched crystal gold coils and 0.38 mV/channel output is also available.

As a result of phono cartridge builder A.J. van den Hul’s continuous research into improving his phono cartridge designs The COLIBRI has seen the light of day.

The COLIBRI is the improved successor to our GRASSHOPPER “BEAUTY” series of phono cartridges where many building components have been removed in a highly successful quest to return to the plain essence of phono transduction.

The result is an unbelievably straightforward sounding “clean and open” design, in all its aspects bearing much resemblance to the “Colibri” named tropical bird’s swiftness, elegance and beauty; Hence the cartridge’s name.

The COLIBRI

version a) XCP & XCM
b) XCP-HO & XCM-HO
c) XGP & XGM stylus replacement see (*1) stylus shape VDH - IS stylus radii 2 x 85 Micron frequency range 5 - 65.000 Hz tracking force 13.5 - 15 mN
see (*3) static compliance 35 Micron/mN
see (*3) tracking ability 70 Micron output voltage

a) 0.22 mV RMS
b) 0.30 mV RMS
c) 0.38 mV RMS

channel unbalance < 0.5 dB channel separation

> 35 / > 30 dB

stylus tip mass 0.24 Milligram system weight see (*4) vertical tracking angle 22 Degrees load capacitance see (*2) load impedance

a) 500 - 1000 Ohm
b) 500 - 1000 Ohm
c) 500 - 1000 Ohm

eff tone arm mass see (*3) + (*4) + (*5) moving coil resistance

a) 21 Ohm +/- 10%
b) 96 Ohm +/- 10%
c) 36 Ohm +/- 10%

extra info

(*1): Stylus replacement and other services available on request.

(*2): Non critical.

(*3): Versions optimized for lower tracking forces (allowing very light arms) can be built on special request. These have a higher static compliance.

(*4): P and M type suffix:
Each of the three above mentioned main versions of The COLIBRI are available with either:

• A regular carbon-nylon plastic body. Total cartridge weight is 6 gram. Suitable for arms with an effective tone arm mass of 8 gram to 14 gram. The plastic bodied version carries the -P suffix in its name.

• A metal body. Total cartridge weight is 7 gram. Suitable for arms with an effective tone arm mass of 10 gram to 14 gram. The metal bodied version carries the -M suffix in its name.

(*5): The cartridge has been optimized regarding an EFFECTIVE tone arm mass of 11 - 12 gram. Heavier arms CAN produce tracking and resonance problems and arms with an effective mass exceeding 16 gram WILL CERTAINLY! Please note that an extremely short cantilever and a high tracking ability and heavy arms DUE TO PHYSICS will never yield a happy marriage.