Chord Electronics Huei

The Chord Electronics Huei handles both moving magnet and moving coil cartridges from a chassis barely larger than your hand, with twelve impedance settings, eight gain stages, and balanced XLR outputs that you won't find on phono stages costing twice as much. Microprocessor-controlled switching means you dial in cartridge loading with illuminated pushbuttons instead of squinting at DIP switches with a toothpick. Pair it with the Qutest DAC and Anni integrated amplifier and all three stack into one compact desktop system powered from a single connection.

Key Features of the Chord Electronics Huei

• MM and MC compatibility in a single unit with microprocessor-controlled switching
• 12-step MC impedance matching from 100 ohms to 3,700 ohms for precise cartridge loading
• 8-step selectable gain covering 21dB to 42dB (MM) and 49dB to 70dB (MC)
• Balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs for maximum system flexibility
• Switchable rumble filter at -24dB/octave below 50Hz (Rausch Slope profile)
• RIAA equalization accuracy within +/- 0.1dB
• 20V RMS maximum output with 1.1nV/Hz input noise floor
• Polychromatic orb controls with color-coded settings and memory function
• Qutest range form factor stacks with Qutest DAC and Anni amplifier
• CNC-machined aluminum chassis at just 160mm x 88mm x 45mm, weighing 657g

Cartridge Loading on the Chord Electronics Huei

The Huei's microprocessor control system replaces the DIP switches found on most phono stages with Chord's polychromatic pushbuttons. A long press on the right orb toggles between MM (red glow) and MC (blue glow). In MM mode, impedance is fixed at the standard 47,000 ohms. Switch to MC and you get twelve impedance values from 100 ohms to 3,700 ohms, each indicated by a different color. That range covers everything from low-output coils that need tight loading to high-output designs that prefer a lighter touch.

The eight-step gain control works independently of impedance. MM gain runs from 21dB to 42dB through unbalanced RCA outputs (27dB to 48dB through balanced XLR). MC gain ranges from 49dB to 70dB unbalanced (55dB to 76dB balanced). The combination of granular impedance and gain settings means you can fine-tune the Huei to match virtually any cartridge on the market without compromise.

Balanced XLR Output

Chord rarely offers balanced outputs at this price level, which makes the Huei something of an outlier in the Qutest range. The balanced XLR output provides approximately 6dB more gain than the single-ended RCA output and a lower noise floor over longer cable runs. If your preamplifier or integrated amplifier has balanced inputs, the XLR connection extracts the most from the Huei's 20V RMS output capability.

Rumble Filter

The switchable rumble filter uses a Rausch Slope profile at -24dB per octave below 50Hz. This targets the subsonic energy generated by turntable motors and record warps, the low-frequency information that causes woofers to pump visibly without contributing anything musical. The filter works particularly well at higher gain settings where subsonic artifacts become more prominent. Disable it if your turntable and tonearm combination runs clean at low frequencies, or leave it on with no audible penalty to the music above the filter frequency.

Qutest Range Desktop System

The Huei shares identical dimensions and design language with the Qutest DAC and Anni desktop amplifier. All three stack neatly on the optional Qutest Stand System, creating a complete turntable-to-speaker system in a footprint barely larger than a paperback book. The Anni's DC output can power both the Huei and the Qutest, so one power supply runs the entire three-unit stack.

For listeners who already own the Qutest for digital playback, adding the Huei brings analog vinyl into the same system without adding a separate phono stage box and power supply. The shared form factor is not just cosmetic. It is a deliberate engineering choice that simplifies cable management and power distribution.

Where the Huei Fits in the Chord Phono Stage Lineup

The Huei is Chord's only phono stage with both MM and MC compatibility. The higher-end Symphonic in the Choral range is MC-only with a more refined circuit, but it costs more than three times as much and lacks MM support entirely. For listeners with moving magnet cartridges or those who want the flexibility to switch between MM and MC without buying a second phono stage, the Huei is the only Chord option. The Suzi Pre in the Hugo range also includes a built-in MM/MC phono stage, but with three impedance settings compared to the Huei's twelve.

The Listening Room Difference

We're a third-generation family business with a brick-and-mortar showroom in Chestertown, Maryland, and a reputation built on exceptional service and relentless passion for hifi. Whether you're visiting in person or ordering online, we bring decades of experience, personalized service, and honest guidance to every interaction. We don't just ship boxes. We help build systems, answer your questions like real humans, and make sure every detail of your setup is right, from the cables to the final connection. Our passion is helping you get the most out of your gear, with support that lasts well beyond the sale.

Chord Electronics Huei Specifications