I've used my VDH black beauty ( 0.5 mV at 500 Ohm) with ARC SP-11 MKII, counterpoint SA-5000, Marantz 7C with counterpoint SA-2 active step up, HK Citation I with Music Reference RM-4 step up. All sound different. Not sure what you're looking to get out of the Colibri. You need an extremely quiet and black background phono playback for the VDH cartridge.
The ARC SP-11 was a bit underpower for my setup but it sounds big but lack of punch. The Counterpoint is nice and sweet with slower rhythum. Smaller, and more conerntrated mid range. One of the most articulate vocal you'll ever hear. The Marantz 7C is nice and warm but lack of fullness of the Counterpoint SA-5000 and lack of cleaness of the ARC SP-11. When combined with Counterpoint head amp, it is a bit softer but not as sweet tone. Sound stage is slightly bigger than counterpoint SA-5000. The HK Citation I is also one of the great vintage preamp for MM. Using it with Music reference RM-4 head amp, the unit is very close to ARC sound with more authority. smoother and warmer sounding than SP-11 MKII.
Aside from my own setup (with my limited budget), I prefer 2,3 and 5 choices. The line stage is quite important too. It helps balance the signal before it gets to the amplifier stage. Ineed a bad line stage can introduce color into the sound.
The ARC SP-11 was a bit underpower for my setup but it sounds big but lack of punch. The Counterpoint is nice and sweet with slower rhythum. Smaller, and more conerntrated mid range. One of the most articulate vocal you'll ever hear. The Marantz 7C is nice and warm but lack of fullness of the Counterpoint SA-5000 and lack of cleaness of the ARC SP-11. When combined with Counterpoint head amp, it is a bit softer but not as sweet tone. Sound stage is slightly bigger than counterpoint SA-5000. The HK Citation I is also one of the great vintage preamp for MM. Using it with Music reference RM-4 head amp, the unit is very close to ARC sound with more authority. smoother and warmer sounding than SP-11 MKII.
Aside from my own setup (with my limited budget), I prefer 2,3 and 5 choices. The line stage is quite important too. It helps balance the signal before it gets to the amplifier stage. Ineed a bad line stage can introduce color into the sound.