Chord Electronics’ next-generation phono stage, Huei (£990), is now available following its international launch in May. The new phono preamp, which shares design features and a form factor with the Qutest DAC, distils three decades of UK amplifier design and manufacturing know-how into its space-saving chassis.
Entirely conceived, engineered and manufactured in Great Britain and benefiting from both moving magnet and moving coil functionality, Huei offers compatibility with a huge range of cartridges thanks to comprehensive gain and impedance-matching options; Huei’s high- and low-gain switching settings are easily accessible via its spherical front-panel controls.
Huei’s advanced design offers (for the first time in a Chord Electronics phono preamp) ultra-low-noise microprocessor control of its main features, including a convenient memory function. With multiple options for impedance-matching, seven-stage switchable gain plus a switchable rumble filter.
Precision-machined from aircraft-grade aluminium billet, Huei shares the same polychromatic control spheres the company has become known for in its digital products; the front-panel spheres offer direct access to Huei’s gain and impedance settings, selection for MM/MC cartridges and access to the on-board switchable rumble filter. It features both balanced (RCA) and unbalanced outputs (XLR) with RCA inputs. A 12V external power supply is also supplied.
Specifications
Input impedance: 47kΩ (MM), 30Ω-47kΩ (MC) 12-step user selectable
Input noise: 1.1nV/Hz
Max output voltage: 10V RMS
Gain range: MM: 25dB – 35dB, 8-step user selectable; MC 48dB – 70dB, 8-step u/s
Equalisation response: RIAA curve
Equalisation accuracy: +/- 0.1dB
Frequency response: RIAA curve 12Hz-25kHz
Rumble filter: Rausch Slope -24dB per octave below 50Hz
Output impedance: 520Ω (resistive)
Input power supply: 12V-100V to 240V 50/60Hz PSU
Dimensions/weight: 160mm (W) x 72mm (D) x41 (H); 657g