Chord Electronics Huei MM/MC Phono Stage at Vinyl Sound Toronto Canada

The Huei is a Moving Magnet and Moving Coil phono preamplifier from Chord Electronics (Maidstone, Kent, United Kingdom), available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. Conceived, engineered, and manufactured entirely in Great Britain, the Huei brings Chord Electronics' three decades of analogue amplification expertise to vinyl playback in a precision-machined aircraft-grade aluminium chassis matched to the Chord Qutest DAC and Anni desktop integrated amplifier. Featuring ultra-low-noise microprocessor control, eight-stage switchable gain for both MM and MC cartridges, and a twelve-step user-selectable MC impedance range from 100 to 3,700 ohms, the Huei offers comprehensive cartridge compatibility alongside both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs. Winner of the hi-fi+ Editor's Choice Award 2020 and hi-fi+ Best Entry Level Phono Stage 2023, the Huei is the phono stage of choice within Chord's Qutest desktop system.

Ultra-Low-Noise Microprocessor Control and Comprehensive Gain Architecture

The Huei is the first Chord Electronics phono preamplifier to incorporate ultra-low-noise microprocessor control of its main operating features, a design decision that eliminates the mechanical contact noise and signal path compromises inherent in conventional switching mechanisms. The microprocessor controls gain selection, impedance switching, and cartridge type selection via the front-panel polychromatic spheres, and includes a convenient memory function that retains the last-used settings across power cycles, eliminating the need to reconfigure settings on each use. Gain is adjustable across eight steps for both Moving Magnet cartridges (21dB to 42dB) and Moving Coil cartridges (49dB to 68dB), providing the flexibility to match turntables and cartridges of widely varying output voltages to the connected preamplifier or integrated amplifier without output level mismatches. For Moving Coil cartridges, input impedance is user-selectable across twelve steps from 100 ohms to 3,700 ohms, covering the full range of MC cartridge impedance requirements from low-output high-impedance types to high-output low-impedance designs. Moving Magnet input impedance is fixed at the industry-standard 47,000 ohms. Input noise is specified at 1.1nV per root Hz, and RIAA equalisation accuracy is plus or minus 0.1dB across the full response curve from 12Hz to 25kHz.

Qutest Range Integration and Polychromatic Control Interface

The Huei shares the same compact chassis dimensions as the Chord Qutest DAC and Chord Anni desktop integrated amplifier, enabling the three units to be stacked in Chord's QSS (Qutest Stand System) modular aluminium rack to form a complete analogue and digital desktop system. The chassis is precision-machined from solid aircraft-grade aluminium billet and features Chord Electronics' signature top-mounted transparent viewing window, through which the illuminated internal electronics are visible. Front-panel polychromatic control spheres provide direct access to gain settings, impedance selection, MM/MC cartridge type switching, and the onboard rumble filter, with colour-coded illumination providing immediate visual feedback of each parameter's current state. A switchable rumble filter operating at -24dB per octave below 50Hz (Rausch Slope) attenuates low-frequency mechanical noise from the turntable without affecting programme material above the cutoff frequency. Both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs are provided with a 520-ohm resistive output impedance and a maximum output voltage of 20V RMS, ensuring compatibility with preamplifiers, integrated amplifiers, and DAC/preamplifier combinations across a wide range of input sensitivities. A high-quality 12V external power supply is included and accepts mains voltages from 100 to 240V at 50 to 60Hz for compatibility with North American, European, and international mains standards.

Key Features

• MM/MC Compatibility: Accepts both Moving Magnet and Moving Coil cartridges through a single RCA input pair, with dedicated gain ranges and impedance settings optimised for each cartridge type.
• Ultra-Low-Noise Microprocessor Control: The first Chord Electronics phono preamplifier to use microprocessor control of its main features, eliminating mechanical switching noise and adding a convenient memory function that retains settings across power cycles.
• Eight-Stage Switchable Gain (MM and MC): Moving Magnet gain adjustable from 21dB to 42dB; Moving Coil gain adjustable from 49dB to 68dB, both in eight steps, from front-panel controls.
• Twelve-Step MC Impedance Selection: User-selectable Moving Coil input impedance from 100 ohms to 3,700 ohms in twelve steps, providing precise electrical matching for the widest range of MC cartridges.
• 1.1nV/Hz Input Noise: Exceptionally low input-referred noise floor for a phono preamplifier at this level, ensuring that low-output MC cartridges are amplified cleanly without noise floor intrusion.
• RIAA Equalisation Accuracy of +/- 0.1dB: Precisely calibrated RIAA response from 12Hz to 25kHz ensures accurate tonal reproduction of vinyl programme material without frequency response deviation across the audio band.
• Switchable Rumble Filter: -24dB per octave Rausch Slope rumble filter below 50Hz attenuates low-frequency turntable mechanical noise without affecting programme material above the cutoff frequency.
• Balanced XLR and Unbalanced RCA Outputs: Both output types are provided with a 520-ohm resistive output impedance and up to 20V RMS maximum output, enabling connection to any preamplifier, integrated amplifier, or DAC/pre combination.
• Qutest Range Form Factor: Dimensionally matched to the Chord Qutest DAC and Anni desktop integrated amplifier for direct stacking in the QSS modular aluminium rack as part of a complete desktop system.
• Aircraft-Grade Aluminium Chassis with Viewing Window: Precision-machined from solid aluminium billet with Chord Electronics' signature top-mounted transparent bubble providing a view into the illuminated internal electronics.
• Polychromatic Control Spheres: Front-panel spheres with colour-coded LED illumination provide direct access to all gain, impedance, cartridge type, and rumble filter settings.
• 12V External Power Supply Included: A high-quality 12V external power supply accepting 100 to 240V at 50 to 60Hz is supplied in the box.

Technical Specifications

Connections at a Glance

• 1 x stereo RCA input pair (MM and MC)
• 1 x stereo RCA output pair (unbalanced)
• 1 x balanced XLR output
• 1 x 12V DC power input (external power supply included)

Awards and Critical Recognition

• Editor's Choice Award 2020, hi-fi+ magazine (UK) - Issue 182, 21st Anniversary Special
• Best Entry Level Phono Stage 2023, hi-fi+ magazine (UK) - Issue 219, Vinyl Special/Analogue Awards: "It's hard not to be captivated. If knowledge is power, the Huei is a small, colourful information tank" (Alan Sircom)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Chord Electronics Huei?

The Chord Electronics Huei is a Moving Magnet and Moving Coil phono preamplifier, conceived, engineered, and manufactured in Great Britain by Chord Electronics. It features ultra-low-noise microprocessor control of eight-stage switchable gain (21dB to 42dB for MM; 49dB to 68dB for MC), twelve-step user-selectable MC input impedance from 100 to 3,700 ohms, a switchable -24dB/octave rumble filter, and both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs. It shares chassis dimensions with the Chord Qutest DAC and Anni desktop amplifier for integration within the Chord Qutest desktop system, and won the hi-fi+ Editor's Choice Award 2020 and hi-fi+ Best Entry Level Phono Stage 2023.

How does the Chord Huei compare to the Pro-Ject Phono Box RS2 or iFi Zen Phono 3?

The Chord Huei occupies a higher performance and price tier than the iFi Zen Phono 3 and competes more directly with the Pro-Ject Phono Box RS2. Against the iFi Zen Phono 3, the Huei offers a significantly more comprehensive gain and impedance adjustment range (eight-stage gain versus the iFi's more limited options), ultra-low-noise microprocessor control with memory function, aircraft-grade aluminium CNC-machined construction, and balanced XLR outputs not available on the iFi unit. Compared to the Pro-Ject Phono Box RS2, the Huei's twelve-step MC impedance selection and eight-stage gain steps are comparably comprehensive, and the Huei's 1.1nV/Hz input noise is a competitive figure at this price level. The Huei's integration within the Chord Qutest ecosystem is an additional differentiator for existing Chord system owners.

Does the Chord Huei work with low-output moving coil cartridges?

Yes, the Chord Huei is specifically designed to accommodate low-output moving coil cartridges. Its MC gain range extends to 68dB at the highest of its eight selectable steps, providing sufficient amplification for MC cartridges with outputs as low as 0.2mV or below. The twelve-step MC impedance selection from 100 to 3,700 ohms allows the input stage to be precisely matched to the output impedance of virtually any MC cartridge currently available, including designs from Ortofon, Lyra, Koetsu, Dynavector, and Audio-Technica. The 1.1nV/Hz input noise specification ensures that the cartridge signal is amplified cleanly even at maximum gain settings.

What is the rumble filter in the Chord Huei?

The Huei's switchable rumble filter is a Rausch Slope design with a -24dB per octave attenuation rate below 50Hz. This filter attenuates low-frequency mechanical noise generated by turntable motor vibration, platter bearing rumble, and acoustic feedback, all of which can pass through the cartridge as spurious low-frequency energy below the musical programme. At -24dB per octave the filter cuts steeply enough to effectively remove subsonic noise while leaving musical bass content at and above 50Hz entirely unaffected. The filter is switchable from the front-panel control spheres and can be bypassed for cartridges and turntables that produce minimal rumble.

Can the Chord Huei be used with non-Chord preamplifiers and integrated amplifiers?

Yes, the Chord Huei is compatible with any preamplifier or integrated amplifier accepting a line-level phono output. Its unbalanced RCA and balanced XLR outputs, 520-ohm output impedance, and maximum output voltage of 20V RMS ensure wide compatibility with amplifiers from any manufacturer. It pairs naturally within the Chord Qutest desktop system alongside the Qutest DAC and Anni integrated amplifier, but works equally well as the phono stage in a system built around the Chord ULTIMA Pre 3, ULTIMA Integrated, or a third-party preamplifier from Naim, Bryston, Cambridge Audio, Rega, or others.

Where can I buy the Chord Electronics Huei in Toronto or Canada?

The Chord Electronics Huei MM/MC phono stage is available at Vinyl Sound, an authorised Chord Electronics dealer located in Toronto, Canada. Vinyl Sound carries the complete Chord Qutest desktop system including the Huei, Qutest DAC, Anni desktop integrated amplifier, and QSS modular rack, and can demonstrate the full desktop vinyl system in-store. Canadian customers across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond are welcome to contact or visit Vinyl Sound Toronto for expert advice on integrating the Huei into an existing or new system.