Van den Hul MC-10 Special
Van den Hul MC-10 Special: hand-built moving-coil cartridge
Hand-assembled in the Netherlands after each order, this moving-coil cartridge brings together the features that established Van den Hul’s reputation in analogue audio: a diamond stylus with a proprietary profile that follows the finest undulations of the groove, a boron cantilever that is both rigid and light, and silver-wire coils matched individually. Its low output level requires suitable electronics, in return for precise, detailed playback.
A VDH-I diamond stylus mounted on a boron cantilever
The VDH-I diamond profile was developed by A.J. van den Hul himself, and other manufacturers have since adopted it. Its dimensions, 3 × 85 µm, describe a long, very narrow line of contact with the groove walls. The lateral radius of 3 µm allows the stylus to follow modulations that more rounded diamonds merely skim over, and these carry the treble, harmonics and attack of notes. The contact length of 85 µm distributes the tracking force over a larger area, reducing the pressure exerted on the vinyl and slowing wear on both the record and the diamond.
The diamond is mounted on a boron cantilever (the small rod that transmits vibrations to the coils), a material that is very rigid for its mass. It does not flex under stress or colour the signal with its own resonances. The equivalent stylus mass, 0.35 mg, remains low: the moving assembly follows rapid changes in the groove without delay, and the stated frequency response extends from 5 Hz to 50 kHz. This type of line-contact profile has a trade-off: it requires careful adjustment. Headshell alignment, azimuth and tonearm height have more influence than with a conical stylus, and a poorly adjusted cartridge loses much of what sets it apart.
Silver coils and a strengthened magnet
The two coils are wound with crystalline silver wire and matched to achieve identical channels, with a level difference of less than 0.5 dB between left and right. Channel separation exceeds 35 dB at 1 kHz and remains above 30 dB at 10 kHz, where many cartridges lose ground. The stereo image retains its width and precision right into the treble. Each coil has a resistance of 9 Ω.
The “Special” designation refers to two modifications compared with the original MC-10. The front pole of the magnetic circuit is thicker, and a small additional magnet supplements the main magnet. This strengthens the magnetic field in which the coils move, improving resolution and increasing the output voltage. At 0.65 mV, however, the MC-10 Special remains a low-output cartridge: a conventional moving-magnet cartridge delivers several millivolts.
Matching phono preamp, load and tonearm
The low output level requires an MC phono input capable of high gain, around 60 dB, or a step-up transformer placed before an MM input. An MM input alone, set to 47 kΩ, does not provide enough amplification or load the cartridge correctly. Van den Hul recommends a load impedance of 200 Ω. Load capacitance has no significant effect, leaving the choice of tonearm cable open.
The cartridge weighs 8.2 g and is secured with two screws using the standard half-inch mounting format. Its compliance of 28 µm/mN makes it flexible: it pairs well with tonearms of low to medium effective mass, between 8 and 12 g. On a tonearm that is too heavy, the resonant frequency of the tonearm-cartridge assembly drops too low and becomes sensitive to warped records and floor vibrations. Tracking force is set between 13.5 and 15 mN, and the cartridge tracks modulations with an amplitude of 70 to 80 µm at 315 Hz, providing a comfortable margin for bass-heavy cuts. The vertical tracking angle is 22°.
Made to order in the Netherlands
Van den Hul does not keep ready-to-use MC-10 Special cartridges in stock. Each cartridge is assembled by hand after the order is placed, within approximately two weeks. The brand also offers diamond replacement and other maintenance services on request, extending the lifespan of a cartridge whose body and generator do not wear out.
Technical specifications
Cartridge type and manufacture
- Application: phono cartridge for turntable
- Technology: moving coil (MC)
- Manufacture: artisanal, handmade
Tracking system
- Stylus: VDH Type 1
- Cantilever: boron
Generator
- Coils: matched Crystal silver wire
- Output voltage: 0.65 mV per channel
“Special” upgrade
- Front pole piece: thicker than the previous version
- Magnet: small additional magnet
- Resolution: improved
- Output voltage: optimized compared to the previous version
Frequently asked questions
What is a tracking force of 13.5 to 15 mN in grams?
This range corresponds to approximately 1.38 to 1.53 g. Starting at around 1.45 g allows you to fine-tune by ear or according to tracking consistency during complex passages. An electronic tracking force gauge provides a more reliable setting than the counterweight scale.
Why is the output voltage specified at 5.7 cm/s?
This is the reference cutting velocity chosen by Van den Hul. Other manufacturers measure at 5 cm/s: normalized to this reference, the MC-10 Special delivers approximately 0.57 mV. This point matters when comparing with the gain ranges specified by phono preamps.
Can the stylus be replaced by the user?
No. On a moving-coil cartridge, the diamond stylus, cantilever and coils form a single assembly. The diamond stylus is replaced by Van den Hul, upon a request submitted through the dealer.
Which step-up transformer should I choose?
A model designed for low-impedance MC cartridges is required, as the MC-10 Special has an impedance of 9 Ω per coil. The transformer then connects to a standard 47 kΩ MM phono input. A turns ratio that is too low leaves the signal level insufficient, while a ratio that is too high places too much load on the cartridge: the ratio is chosen according to the cartridge’s impedance.
Can mono records and 78 rpm records be played?
Mono microgroove records play without difficulty. 78 rpm records, cut with much wider grooves, require a diamond stylus with a larger radius: the VDH-I profile is unsuitable for them and risks damaging these records.
What's the difference compared to the MC-One Special and MC-Two Special?
The MC-One Special is a selected version of the MC-10 Special, with identical specifications on paper. The MC-Two Special uses the same base but with copper coils and a high output of 2.25 mV, which connects to an MM input without a transformer or MC gain.
Does the cartridge work on an entry-level turntable tonearm?
It is mechanically compatible with any tonearm equipped with a half-inch mount whose effective mass is between 8 and 12 g and which allows precise adjustment of tracking force, anti-skating and ideally height. A tonearm without azimuth or height adjustment limits alignment accuracy, to which the VDH-I profile is sensitive.
- Eco-contribution included in the sale price.
