Van den Hul is a big name in the audio world. Not only did he invent a new stylus for phono cartridges, he also introduced major improvements in cabling and electronics. Mentioning his name makes hearts around the world beat faster, and for those who didn’t know yet: he also develops products aimed at improving health. He is now 88 years old, but still young at heart.
The Colibri
During his studies at Delft University of Technology, Professor Piet Jongenburger guided him through the world of metals and the periodic table. While science may provide a solid foundation, the true strength of his inventions ultimately depends on the experience of human hearing.
He has set aside an entire afternoon for a presentation to his dealers, naturally at his rural company in Vaassen. Prominent Blumenhofer horn loudspeakers, vintage Telefunken and Revox tape recorders, and a striking Debut Gold turntable adorn his studio. But first, we are surprised with the historic sound of an Thomas Edison wax cylinder—an iconic benchmark in the history of audio.
Playback then continues using the renowned The Colibri cartridge, which has existed since 1995 and is now in its latest iteration. More than 36 years have been invested in the development of this high-end precision stylus.
Loudspeaker Brands
More than 1.8 million units of the various types of Van den Hul cartridges have been sold to date. What makes them unique each time is the coil material, the cantilever, and the quality of the rubber used. For its products, the company complies with all possible environmental standards, and the building itself has been using geothermal energy since 2002.
As for the cables, no precious metals are used, and their sonic quality must remain consistent over time. There is no chemical aging or oxidation. Mechanical stress is strictly avoided, and lasting flexibility is a key requirement for Van den Hul wiring. Incidentally, this cabling has been used for decades in the well-known British Bowers & Wilkins loudspeakers.
Other loudspeaker brands such as Focal, SME, Pro-Ject, Roksan, Tannoy, and Cabasse have also been won over by the “missionary” from Vaassen.
Concertgebouw
At one time, a request from Polyhymnia International marked the beginning of the production of the renowned microphone cables, which had to meet the highest standards: thin, yet strong enough to hang from a microphone stand, and resistant to slamming doors and the heavy soles of technicians’ shoes.
True Transmission Technology (3T) became the trademark, and these microphone cables have since made their way—much to great satisfaction—to the stage of the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and to Movie City in Hong Kong.
Carbon forms a key component of Van den Hul cables, and this technology is also found in the famous interconnects of the same name. Initially controversial, this invention has now gained widespread acceptance. What is unique is that Van den Hul cables are not drawn; instead, the internal wires are, as it were, “pushed” into place. Breakages and weak spots simply do not occur, even after many years of use.
Lecture
Aalt Jouk van den Hul presents his products with great flair, and his discourse most closely resembles an engaging lecture by a renowned professor. His craftsmanship—supported by solid scientific foundations—is widely recognized. Visitors regularly travel from the Far East to gain knowledge at his factory in Vaassen.
The pre-prepared PowerPoint presentation serves merely as a guideline for a comprehensive and captivating story from beginning to end. No empty talk, but pure, substantive information that dealers can confidently share with their customers.
At the conclusion, the maestro sharply criticizes Chinese manufacturers who believe they can replicate his cables and print his name on them. Shockingly, they deliver an inferior product which also turns out to be toxic in composition due to the use of the much-criticized PVC. Numerous costly lawsuits have been filed and won—expenses that Van den Hul does not pass on to the consumer. For this reason, Van den Hul packaging has for some time been equipped with an authenticity sticker.
No “Urban Myth”
“The proof of the pudding is in the eating,” as the saying goes, and an extensive listening session follows. The The Emerald is used as the preamplifier, and The Grail as the phono stage.
The The Extender—yet another remarkable Van den Hul invention—is also brought into play: a device that makes listening to music more enjoyable and originated from the development of medical equipment. The Extender is mainly found in alternative medicine and genuinely works. A brief demonstration shows that the music played is perceived by those present as even more pleasant. Not an “urban myth,” but an empirical reality.
An ultimate sensory experience, seated in front of the more-than-human-high Blumenhofer loudspeakers, listening with heightened attention.
Toots Thielemans
As mentioned earlier, playback is done using a Debut Gold turntable and a Van den Hul Colibri XGW Reference cartridge from the latest series. First, Aalt Jouk van den Hul places a recording of the chromatic harmonica of Toots Thielemans under the stylus. The music of “Killer Joe,” taken from the album Collage (CBS), sounds open and three-dimensional in the room. The refinement of the Colibri renders the sound of the harmonica with lifelike precision.
Next, it is the turn of British singer Cleo Laine, who delivers a stunning performance of “All The World’s a Stage … If the Music Be The Food of Love,” taken from her renowned double album Cleo Laine Sings Word Songs (1978).
For a true live experience, we then attend a rehearsal by tenor saxophonist Ben Webster with the DR Big Band from October 1970. Raising his voice and snapping his fingers firmly, Webster indicates how his music should be played. As a listener, with the Van den Hul audio setup, you feel vividly present at the rehearsal in the St. Lawrence Studio aboard the paddle steamer in Copenhagen harbor.
Ecstatic
How advanced the recording technology of that time was can be heard in Gerry Mulligan’s The Concert Jazz Band recordings for Verve from 1960. The baritone saxophone of the leader sounds deeper than deep, and like a cloud of beauty the ensemble passages caress your eardrums.
Perhaps the ultimate way to appreciate the outstanding quality of the setup is with vocal music. In early May 1960, singer Harry Belafonte returned to New York’s Carnegie Hall, together with Odetta, The Chad Mitchell Trio, Miriam Makeba, and The Belafonte Folk Singers.
The opening number, “Jump Down Spin Around,” is delivered with great flair, and together with Odetta he brings the audience into ecstasy in “One More Dance.” What incredible music—and how ecstatically it comes to life in Aalt Jouk van den Hul’s extensive studio!
The listening session concludes with a far-from-perfect historical early music recording from Deutsche Grammophon from 1984 of 12 Concerti Grossi performed by Trevor Pinnock. The tonal balance is clearly too bright in the treble, and a rather harsh-sounding early digital-to-analogue converter from the dawn of the digital era was used.
Finally, there is a final impression of analogue technology with a professional Telefunken tape deck from the Nederlandse Omroep Stichting, featuring an acoustic recording from their own archives.
Telefunken M15 2 track stereo broadcast recorder, produced between 1971 and 1976
The Future
Office, workshop, production and our people who made this all happen !
“We are truly proud of how far we have come,” Aalt Jouk van den Hul says in conclusion. “We achieved this entirely through our own efforts, without paying attention to the competition. Offering and manufacturing high-quality products is our guiding principle. For example, investing in improving the production process, but there are also plans to supply the music industry with our cabling. Loudspeaker manufacturers and makers of electronically related audio products can be supplied directly by us with internal wiring. Please ask Mr. H. Hoogeveen about the possibilities on 0031578 569 950.
Many essential tips for improving your hi-fi system can be found for free in the FAQ on our website. Everyone can find something of value there. It is information we are happy to provide at no cost, and it has already helped many consumers.
Finally, I have an important piece of advice for the future: ‘Make sure you take your children to concerts as often as possible, so they can also hear live music. Listening experience and training your ears is extremely important: it is not only the foundation for buying a good hi-fi system, but also for a better and happier life!’”
With special thanks to
Cyriel Pluimakers, Utrecht Music Journalist.
