What Are The Differences Between The Vandenhul Cartridge Families

I owned a Colibri and had no problems with it. But I do agree that each unit is unique, like a custom built automobile that was built to someone else’s preferences or that you buy second hand. Nevertheless, they are "special". I think vdH does not disguise this quirk, because on the inside of each box you find the specs for that cartridge that came in that box. And if you buy a different Colibri with the same options for wire, materials, and etc, it is likely to sound a bit different and to have different specs. Any buyer should take these things into consideration, but that does not make the cartridges "unreliable". Unpredictable may be a better adjective. But never bad sounding.

Dear @neonknight  :  I owned 2  Frog models, one was new and the other second hand and were good performers but nothing close to the " original " Colibri with low output: 0.22mv and I owned 3 samples of those Colibri with a black  light body ( not plastic but similar to. ) and owned one with wood body, all the sample low output and I still own one sample. I remember that 2 of those samples I had to return to VDH at least 2 times in a row because the bas eof the cantilever was hitting the LP surface.

I'm in agreement with what @mikelavigne posted and if you have a high resolution room/system and a lot of patience nothing can touch the unique qualities of the low output Colibri.

I repeat the words " low output " because the today Stradivarious like are medium almost in the range of HO cartridges : 0.7mv and certainly this kind of sudden VDH design change I think was not made it by Dr. AJ VdH him self because he knows that more coil wire always means higher signal degradation, so maybe the " culprit " of that was his son. Yes, I listened the Stradivarius in my system and performs good but nothing like the " old " Colibri.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,

R.

I can't speak to all or older models of VDH cartridges, but a few months ago I replaced my Dynavector XX 2 MK II with a Van Den Hul MC-One Special.  The Dynavector never seemed to sound "right" until it was nearly worn out, while the Van Den Hul sounded great from first play.  It still sounds great and has ever so slightly improved (as would be expected) with ongoing use.  It's also a bargain considering the price of cartridges these days. Highly recommended. If you're considering the Frog but think it too pricey, the MC-One Special may be the VDH for you.  On another note, VDH uses a wooden box to protect the cartridge, which proved its worth when I witnessed the UPS driver toss the item toward my garage door during delivery, landing with a loud thump! I immediately complained to the driver and opened the package while he watched.  I was surprised to find the cartridge in a wooden box, suspended on a lightweight plastic insert, and in perfect condition.  The box saved my cartridge and perhaps that driver's job. 

@neonknight 

I do not know about you, but I can not afford the time, effort and care not to spend the money going through 10 cartridges to get to one good one. There are so many fine cartridges you can depend on. If you want a cantilever hanging out in the breeze get a Lyra, Clearaudio or Verismo. It made me nervous for a while but I got use to it. Always put your stylus guard on before you do anything. 

I never got a VDH because the tolerances of the ones I have seen and the pictures I have looked at are uniformly terrible,  which is why people say they all sound different. 

I understand. I had two Dynavectors that were quite good before I bought the pricier and vaunted XX 2 MK II. and that cartridge was not a good experience. Cartridges can be an expensive pain.