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Van den Hul The Grail
Phonograph Preamplifier
With this product you will be the owner of one of the most innovative and advanced phonograph preamplifier’s available at the moment.
“The Grail” is a really dulcet phonograph preamplifier, specifically designed bearing ultimate performance and reliability in mind.
Featurelist:
- a specific designed Phonograph preamplifier section, unique in the world
- Phonograph RIAA – equalization with coils only, no sound impairing capacitors in filters
- special printed circuit board material with gold conducting paths
- the printed circuit board has a special seating to evade microphonics
- special equipment foot made of selected wood avoids mechanical energy storage
- low noise moving coil input stage, no annoying noise even with low-output cartridges
- automatic adapting input stage for moving coil cartridges, no matching resistors needed
- possibility to compensate phonograph cartridge sensivity (level adjustment)
- cut out of coupling capacitors in the signal path as far as possible
- strictly separated amplifier sections and circuit layout deliver a very natural soundstage
- inputs: two phonograph inputs, one for MC cartridges, one for MM or MC high-output
- a shielded transformer is placed in an external housing to avoid hum and EMI noise
- power supply with Gyrators for each amplifier stage deliver very high noise cancellation
- the external transformer is available for different mains voltages
Designed to provide high-end audio, “The Grail” will deliver you outstanding sound quality with nearly every available modern phonograph cartridge.
Also available with a battery powersupply!:
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Van den Hul — The Grail
The Grail is a high-end phono stage built around an ultra-quiet, dynamically vivid presentation. In a detailed review, Marc Phillips for Part Time Audiophile highlighted its exceptionally low noise floor, coil-based RIAA and a current-mode automatic MC impedance-matching input that simplifies setup while preserving a direct signal path. A separate shielded transformer and beefy outboard PSU, plus careful internal isolation and elegant wood side panels, support crisp imaging and compelling macro- and micro-dynamics. With two MC inputs, three MC gain settings (56/64/72 dB) and automatic matching from ~40–400 Ω, The Grail is tailored for serious vinyl enthusiasts and demanding MC cartridges, delivering vivid detail and strong rhythmic drive while representing notable value in its class.
Pros
- Exceptionally low noise floor and transparency, producing a very quiet background that enhances detail retrieval.
- Automatic current-mode MC impedance matching (≈40–400 Ω) plus three MC gain settings provides broad cartridge compatibility and easy setup.
- Robust engineering — coil-based RIAA, separated shielded transformer/outboard PSU and internal microphonic control — yields strong dynamics and precise imaging.
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Cons
- A touch of added top-end energy/immediacy can make some cartridge pairings sound slightly more forward than neutral.
Transparency
92/100
Reviewer emphasizes noise reduction as a core design goal and repeatedly calls the unit 'superbly quiet' and that 'quiet is everything.' Technical choices that support this — automatic current-mode MC input (no matching resistors in the signal path) and a shielded transformer isolated in a separate box — are explicitly mentioned and reduce interference. No mentions of hum/hiss were found, and the automatic MC matching plus outboard PSU/transformer point to an exceptionally low noise floor for an MC-capable stage.
Sound Quality
90/100
The Grail is credited with delivering strong dynamic contrasts and immediacy — reviewer mentions anticipation for crescendos, crisp drum fills, and a clean delivery of dynamic contrasts. The design choices that lower noise and reduce signal-path components help preserve micro- and macro-dynamics.
Cartridge Compatibility
92/100
Full MM and MC support with three MC gain settings (56/64/72 dB) and automatic MC impedance matching from ~40 to 400 ohms, plus two MC inputs and per-cartridge sensitivity adjustments. That level of gain and loading flexibility places it in the adjustable MM/MC category and makes it broadly compatible with a wide range of cartridges.
Build Quality
94/100
Reviewer praises the rugged, heavy chassis, solid wood side panels, precision foam protective case, and careful internal layout (acoustic isolation of PCBs, microphonics control, gold conductive paths). The separate shielded transformer/umbilical and beefy outboard power supply further support excellent shielding and construction.
Value for Money
95/100
The reviewer explicitly calls The Grail 'just $8,995' and 'an incredible value' and 'Highly recommended.' Given the feature set (automatic MC matching, coil-based RIAA, separate shielded transformer/outboard supply, excellent build and low noise), that praise is justified. Note: product metadata lists a price range of 12,500; even if priced higher in some markets, the review's clear language about outstanding value at $8,995 and comparison implicitly to much more expensive ’reference’ designs supports a strong value rating.
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