Chord Huei MM / MC Phono Preamplifier

A Compact Phono Stage With Chord's Signature Look

The Chord Huei is an MM/MC phono preamplifier machined from solid aircraft-grade aluminum billet. It shares its compact form factor with Chord's Qutest DAC, right down to a top-mounted viewing window into the illuminated electronics inside.

Instead of switches or dials, glowing "control spheres" on the front panel handle gain, impedance, MM/MC selection, and the rumble filter. Each sphere changes color as you cycle through its settings.

Weighing just 657 grams, it's small enough to sit on a shelf without dominating a system, while still offering both unbalanced and balanced outputs. Chord builds the case in-house at its Kent, England factory, machining each chassis from a solid aluminum block rather than bending sheet metal.

That approach costs more to produce, but it also gives the Huei a rigid, resonance-resistant enclosure. The top window lets you watch the internal circuitry glow while music plays, a small design touch shared across Chord's electronics range.

Seven-Stage Gain, Extensive MC Loading

Gain switches across seven stages. On the unbalanced RCA output, that runs from 21dB to 42dB for moving magnet, or 49dB to 70dB for moving coil. On the balanced XLR output, gain runs about 6dB higher at every stage.

Moving coil loading is user-selectable across 12 steps, from 100 to 3,700 ohms. Moving magnet loading is fixed at 47 kOhms. There's no capacitance loading adjustment on this model.

RIAA accuracy is rated within ±0.1dB, with frequency response spanning 12Hz to 25kHz. A rumble filter cuts at 24dB per octave below 50Hz.

One unbalanced RCA input feeds both the unbalanced RCA and balanced XLR outputs at once. It runs from an external 12V power supply and measures 4.5 by 16 by 8.8 centimeters.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Alan Sircom reviewed the Huei for Hi-Fi+ in July 2020. He found it "all about the excitement, but without being either so brightly lit or so overly excitable and detailed that it leaves you cold."

He called it "a small, colourful information tank," praising how hard it could rock "especially in phono stages and especially in this category."

David Price reviewed it for StereoNET in November 2019. He described a "wide open, glass-clear midband" that "integrates smoothly with a strong bass and crisp, extended treble."

He found it "highly accomplished across a wide range of music," with no sense of being better suited to one genre over another.

Who Is This Preamp Best For?

• Anyone who wants Chord's design language on their equipment rack. The illuminated chassis and control spheres match the look of Chord's Qutest DAC.
• Owners of hard-to-match moving coil cartridges. Twelve loading steps give a finer match than most preamps in this category.
• Anyone building a balanced XLR system. A balanced XLR output runs alongside the standard RCA output at the same time.
• Listeners who want proven, independently reviewed performance. Multiple named reviewers at respected publications praised its clarity and open midband.
• Not the right fit for anyone who wants capacitance loading. This model doesn't offer adjustable capacitance for fine cartridge tuning.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Run your turntable's cable into the Huei's single RCA input, matched to your tonearm's cable. Connect its RCA or XLR output to your amplifier or preamp. Both outputs work at the same time, so you can use one now and add the other later.

Cycle through the control spheres to set gain, loading, and MM/MC mode for your cartridge before you start listening. Check your cartridge's specification sheet first. Matching gain and loading correctly makes the biggest difference in how it sounds.

The external power supply keeps its transformer away from the phono circuit. That separation helps keep hum and noise out of a quiet signal path. Give the unit a few minutes after power-up before critical listening.

Pairs Well With

Building your system? Here are some great companions for the Chord Huei:

• Turntables with a tonearm cable that ends in RCA connectors
• Moving coil phono cartridges matched to its 12-step loading
• Preamplifiers with balanced XLR inputs

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the RCA and XLR outputs at the same time?

Yes. Both outputs run simultaneously from the same single RCA input, so you can connect either or both.

Does this offer capacitance loading for my cartridge?

No. The Huei offers extensive gain and resistive loading adjustment, but no capacitance setting.

How do I change the gain and loading settings?

Touch-sensitive control spheres on the front panel cycle through each setting, changing color to show the current selection.

What's the warranty?

Chord Electronics covers the Huei with a three-year warranty.

Will it work with a moving magnet cartridge?

Yes. Moving magnet loading is fixed at 47 kOhms, and four of the seven gain stages are set up for moving magnet cartridges specifically.

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Learn More

Want to learn more about matching a phono preamp to your cartridge, balanced connections, or getting the most from your vinyl collection? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.