Chord Electronics Huei Phono Preamp-First Look

Image Credit: Chord Electronics

Introduction

The Huei phono pre-amplifier was first unveiled back in May at the Munich High End Show. This 30th anniversary phono stage is now available to purchase. It uses an ultra low noise microprocessor controller and the space-saving chassis is milled out of a solid block of aluminum to include a top mounted and illuminated viewing window showing of its custom electronics.

The Huei was designed and manufactured  by Chord Electronics, a thirty year old British company that also designs and builds turntables, DAC’s and amplifiers.

The Huei supports both magnetic and moving coil cartridges with an extensive selection of both resistance and capacitive loadings, all selectable from the front panels illuminated polychromatic control spheres and memorized for later recall. The 12 step impedance settings and 8 step gain settings allow the Huei to match just about any cartridge type. A selectable rumble filter is also available.

This high-performance phono preamplifier features both balanced (XLR) and unbalanced RCA outputs and is supplied with a high quality external 12VDC universal power supply.

Technical Specifications:

Supported cartridges:

• Moving magnet
• Moving coil

Inputs

• 1x Stereo unbalanced RCA input

Input Impedance:

• Moving magnet: 47kΩ
• Moving coil: 30Ω – 47kΩ, 12-step user selectable

Gain Range:

• Moving magnet: 25dB – 35dB, 8-step user selectable
• Moving coil: 48dB – 70dB, 8-step user selectable

Input Noise

• 1.1nV/Hz

Equalisation Response

• RIAA Curve +/- 0.1dB

Frequency Response

• RIAA Curve – 12Hz to 25kHz

Rumble Filter

• Rausch Slope -24dB per octave below 50Hz

Outputs:

• 1x Stereo unbalanced RCA output
• 1x Stereo balanced XLR output

Max Output Voltage RM

• 10v RMS

Output Impedance

• 520Ω (resistive)

Power Supply

• 12v – 100v to 240v 50/60Hz PSU

Warranty

• 3 Years.

List Price

• $1495.00
• £990.00

See here for further information.

Click here for the manual.

See here for my review of the Musical Fidelity MX-VYNL phono pre-amp.