Cartridges better than Colibri XGP?

In a german magazine (link vd hul site)also was mentioned that the colibri was on the edge ,, the condor was a saver bet that was in my mind a couple of years ago.
Here s M fremers opinion.

http://www.vandenhul.com/userfiles/docs/The_CONDOR_Gold_XGP_-_Stereophile_Mar_2005.pdf

Raul, Mike,

I have an AudioCraft AC4000 Unipivot tonearm with 3 different arm wands from Medium to light mass. Now, the AC4000 has adjustable silicone oil damping on its unipivot. Do you think this arm is a good match for the Colibri, especially if I choose a light-medium arm wand?

Mike,

You mention that the Copper and Platinum coiled versions of the Colibri were more "explosive" sounding. Does it therefore stand to reason that the Gold coiled version is more warmer and smoother?

Best Regards,

Albert

Albert,

i don't know about your arm so i cannot really help you there; although a varible dampning like that should help to allow you to tune it. my perception is that the Colibri really loves a 'fast and neutral' arm, whatever that is, to keep up with it. if that's how you precieve your arm then it will likely work well.

yes; i owned an XGW, which is the gold windings and Mytlewood body, and it was softer/warmer (only a touch) and more forgiving. it had less a tendancy to be edgy, so it was smoother.

beautiful and interesting system you have there, congrats.

Dear Ddriveman: As already mentioned the Colibri is very good cartridge but not an " easy " one on tonearm set up.

The latest I own is alow output ( o.23mv ) in polycarbonate/plastic like body and gold coils. All the ones I owned are at the very border line of " edgy " on HF and to not cross that line it is not only that you need a good tonearm ( the AC4000 could woks but I prefer in that line the 3300 or 4400. ) but a neutral speaker/electronics.

As Mike said it: when the Colibri is right on target is a very hard LOMC cartridge hard to beat for other LOMC ones, yes the Colibri is very demanding one and VdH makes things more in " trouble " with so to many Colibri options.

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.

If all goes well , i will have a new Colibri XCP with a 0,22 mV output by the end of next week .
i ll post on my expiriences.