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From my private collection:This is one of the best-sounding cartridges I have kept for years.Van den Hul GRASSHOPPER II Phono CartridgeThis cartridge is in very good operational and cosmetic condition, the sound is detailed, fast, and dynamic, stylus still sharp, cantilever and suspension is also in excellent condition and has been stored for many years.Asking price is $1780, negotiable within reasonable range, please feel free contact with me.Golden Ear Award:Van den Hul The GRASSHOPPER IIThe magazine’s comments:First, reflecting its position in the audio chain, is the van den Hul Grasshopper II phono cartridge. The most impressive thing about A.J. van den Hul’s top-of-the-line cartridge is that it is so splendidly balanced. It provides a broader and deeper overall performance envelope than any cartridge (and almost any other component of any kind) in my acquaintance. Nothing downstream will ever have an excuse for less-than-optimal performance if a properly set-up Grasshopper II is interpreting the source material. Tonal balance is as neutral as the best tube electronics and the cartridge is utterly devoid of grain. The one aspect of its performance that calls itself to your attention is a stunning portrayal of dynamics, both micro and macro. No overworked audio cliché does not apply. The Grasshopper never becomes confused, regardless of the force of the crescendo, and remains able to sketch the most minute of details in a strikingly lifelike way.The Grasshopper is also able, when paired with sufficiently excellent amplification and speakers, to suggest not only that the physical space of the recording environment is present, but to delineate the size and the shape of that space. If, as HP has noted, space is the next audio frontier, the VdH goes where no others (that I have heard) have gone before.Paul BolinStereophile reviews:Specifications:Cartridge Type GRASSHOPPER IIStylus Shape VDH - ISStylus Radii 2 x 85 MicronFrequency Range 5 - 65.000 HzTracking Force 1.3 - 1.4 gStatic Compliance 35 Micron / mNTracking Ability at 15 mN at 315 Hz 70 - 80 MicronOutput Voltage at 1 kHz at 5.7 cm/s eff. 0.65 mV RMSChannel Unbalance < 0.25 dBChannel Separation at 1 kHz/10 kHz >30 / >27 dBEquivalent Stylus Tip Mass 0.32 MilligramSystem Weight 8.6 GramVertical Tracking Angle 22 Degrees.Recommended Load Impedance > 500 OhmRecommended Eff. Tone arm Mass 6 - 10 GramMoving Coil Resistance (per channel) 25 OhmThis cartridge comes with original wood box, noise test record paper and screws.I have sold a lot of cartridges and got a lot of good feedback, please check them out.We guarantee that we will not sell cartridges that are not perfect, if you find that it is not suitable for you after receiving it. We have a full refund policy and you can return it, if you are not satisfied.And please take a look my other items.Thanks!WayneWayne's Audio
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Van den Hul, a Dutch high-end audio brand, traces its origins to 1980 when Aalt Jouke (A.J.) van den Hul, an engineer and physics professor at Delft University of Technology, founded the company in the Netherlands. Driven by a passion for flawless natural sound reproduction, he initially patented innovative stylus tips for phono cartridges before expanding into broader hi-fi solutions. From modest beginnings, the firm quickly gained traction through pioneering designs like the Frog, Grasshopper, and Colibri moving coil cartridges.
The brand specializes in premium moving coil phono cartridges and a wide array of audio cables, including groundbreaking technologies such as Linear Structured Carbon and hybrid metal conductors. While it has designed electronic equipment, Van den Hul's core focus remains on optimizing phono transfer and signal transmission integrity, with products serving both home hi-fi systems and professional studios. Interconnects like The Name exemplify their commitment to accessible high performance without compromising quality.
Today, Van den Hul holds a respected position in the high-end market, exported to over 70 countries and favored by audiophiles seeking precision and durability. Its physicist-led innovations have cemented a niche boutique reputation among discerning buyers who prioritize signal purity over mass-market appeal, blending heritage craftsmanship with enduring sonic excellence.
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