HUEI

Microprocessor-controlled MM/MC phono stage with exceptional versatility. A next-generation microprocessor-controlled MM/MC phono stage with compact dimensions and huge versatility thanks to wide-range compatibility.

Technical background

Huei uses Chord's proprietary high-frequency power supply technology to keep the noise floor vanishingly low regardless of gain setting. Twelve-step impedance loading covers any MC cartridge from 100Ω to 3,700Ω; gain is adjustable across 8 stages from 21dB to 76dB. A microprocessor stores settings in memory, so the unit powers on configured exactly as left.

Design story

Chord Electronics was founded in Maidstone, Kent in 1989 by John Franks, whose background in aerospace electronics shaped every design decision. Products are hand-built in the UK using precision CNC-machined aircraft-grade aluminium, giving each unit the tactile solidity of a precision instrument rather than a consumer product. The illuminated polycarbonate sphere controls — a Chord signature — serve as intuitive interfaces that complement the industrial-minimal aesthetic. The philosophy is uncompromising: every component, topology, and material choice is driven by sonic performance, not cost reduction.

Best for

Vinyl enthusiasts integrating a turntable into a modern system; quality-first MC/MM phono stage buyers Vinyl enthusiast, turntable system builder, MM and MC cartridge user Hi-fi turntable system, MM and MC cartridge amplification, desktop vinyl setup

Awards & press

⭐ Hi-Fi+ Editor's Choice; Hi-Fi+ Best Phono Stage 2023 "Packs a massive audiophile punch into a deceptively compact chassis." — Hi-Fi+ "The Huei is a revelation — world-class phono stage performance in the smallest possible form factor." — What Hi-Fi? "Chord's Huei proves you don't need a large box to achieve exceptional, reference-quality phono performance." — Hi-Fi+