Van den Hul The Headshell Link Evo set

Between the phono cartridge and the headshell, just a few centimeters of wire carry the entire musical signal extracted from the groove. These links, often overlooked when upgrading a turntable, are nonetheless a sensitive part of the analog chain. Van den Hul’s Headshell Link Evo Set offers a replacement for the original wires with pure silver conductors, complemented by gold-plated connectors manufactured in the Netherlands.

Crystalline silver and faithful transmission

The conductor used in this kit belongs to the MCS (Matched Crystal Silver) range developed by Van den Hul. This designation refers to an extrusion manufacturing process that produces a silver wire with a homogeneous crystalline structure. The technical objective is to reduce what the Dutch manufacturer calls “Cross Crystal Distortion,” a phenomenon linked to discontinuities in the metallic structure of the conductor.

Each wire in the kit uses a solid-core MCS-300 conductor with a diameter of 300 microns. The high-purity silver offers higher conductivity than copper while exhibiting particularly low electrical resistance. For such a short path 4.3 cm of effective wire , these properties contribute to a direct transmission of the signal generated by the cartridge, without coloration or measurable attenuation.

Connectors and universal compatibility

Each end of the four wires is fitted with a 24-carat gold-plated connection clip. Van den Hul has chosen two different diameters to match market standards: CC-1.0 on the tonearm side and CC-1.2 on the cartridge side.

The 1.2 mm format corresponds to the standard adopted by the vast majority of current cartridge manufacturers. The 1.0 mm clip on the arm side ensures a firm connection on the pins of standard headshells. This configuration allows you to equip most tonearm/cartridge combinations without requiring any particular adaptation.

The thick gold plating on the clips serves a dual purpose: it guarantees low-resistance contact and protects the underlying copper from oxidation. Over several decades of use, this finish preserves the quality of the electrical connection.

Installation and color coding

The kit includes four wires identified by conventional color coding: red, blue, green, and white. This visual distinction makes it easier to connect according to the standard phono cartridge wiring scheme. The total length of 5.4 cm (clips included) provides enough leeway for routing through different types of headshells, including those with a closed shell.

The clips can be inserted and removed by hand or using fine pliers. Their design also allows crimping or soldering for permanent installations, although friction contact is sufficient in most cases. The relative suppleness of the solid silver wire calls for careful handling: repeated bending at the same point can weaken the conductor.

Frequently asked questions

Are the wires compatible with all phono cartridges?

The CC-1.0 / CC-1.2 configuration is suitable for almost all cartridges and headshells on the market. Some older cartridges, especially vintage Koetsu models, use 1.0 mm pins and therefore require CC-1.0 clips on both sides. Van den Hul offers these clips separately for such specific cases.

How do I identify the correct pinout during installation?

The standard phono wiring generally associates: red with right channel positive, green with right channel negative, white with left channel positive, blue with left channel negative. This convention may vary depending on the cartridge manufacturer; your cartridge’s documentation remains the reference to consult.

Does solid silver require special handling?

The MCS-300 wire withstands a maximum mechanical tension of 140 grams and tolerates temperatures up to 280°C during soldering. Its single-conductor structure makes it less flexible than a stranded wire. You should avoid repeated bending at the same point and never pull on the wires when inserting or removing the cartridge.

What is the difference compared to the original wires supplied with turntables?

The wires supplied with most turntables or headshells use standard copper with nickel-plated or tinned clips. Switching to pure silver and gold-plated contacts reduces the overall electrical resistance of the link and eliminates long-term oxidation risks. The audible difference depends on the sensitivity of the downstream system.

Can these wires be soldered instead of using the clips?

Van den Hul clips are designed to accept soldering. The MCS-300 wire’s PTFE (Teflon) insulation withstands up to 280°C and acts as a flux during the operation. This option is suitable for permanent installations where frequent cartridge changes are not expected.

Do the clips wear out with repeated insertions?

The 24-carat gold plating on the CC-1.0 and CC-1.2 clips offers excellent resistance to mechanical wear. A reasonable number of insertions and removals during cartridge changes or alignments does not significantly affect contact quality over several years of use.

Technical specifications

Wiring

• Four color-coded linking wires: red, blue, green, and white
• Solid-core MCS-300 matched crystalline silver conductor

Connectors

• 24-carat gold-plated connection clips
• Tonearm side: CC-1.0 with Ø 1.0 mm diameter
• Cartridge side: CC-1.2 with Ø 1.2 mm diameter

Dimensions

• Total length per wire (including clips): 5.4 cm
• Wire-only length: 4.3 cm

General information

High-quality set of linking cables consisting of four wires for the connection between the phono cartridge and the headshell.