First unveiled in May at High End Munich 2019, Chord Electronics’ next-generation microprocessor-controlled Huei phono preamp is now in-store worldwide.

Chord Electronics’ next-generation phono stage, Huei, is now available to audition and buy from retailers around the world following its international launch in May. Unveiled at High End, Munich, by Chord Electronics’ founder, owner and Chief Designer, John Franks, 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 small chassis.

MM & MC

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 and multiple options for impedance-matching, seven-stage switchable gain plus a switchable rumble filter.

Qutest

Machined from aircraft-grade aluminium billet, Huei has the ‘Qutest’ form factor and benefits from a top-mounted viewing window into the illuminated custom electronics within. The design 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.

Huei 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

Price

Huei is priced at £990 and is available now (black only)

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