What it is
Microprocessor-controlled gain switching with memory function — unusual for an analogue phono stage; first such design from Chord. Polychromatic illuminated front-panel orbs replace DIP switches.
Designed by Matthew Bartlett (current Chord MD; appointed shortly after Huei launched in 2019).
3-year warranty (parts + labour, registration required).
Form factor matches Qutest DAC and Anni headphone amp — designed as third member of Chord's "trifecta" desktop set.
WhatHiFi review more critical than Hi-Fi+ — "clean and crisp but slightly architectural / mechanical" vs Aria's warmth.
Who it comes up against
14 lost · Anchored, Artisan, BBC Sound, Cavity-Native, Characterful, Intimate, PRaT, Reference, Romantic, Silent Path
Against the Anchored brief, the Rega Aria Mk3 MM/MC keeps the slot decisively.
With the van den Hul The Frog, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
With the NVA P50SA MKII, the pairing gives up most on depth of bass.
On its own merits the Chord Huei MM/MC is the weaker phono stage for that brief.
absolutely silent... no hint of hissThe Ear (Kelly) 2020
14 lost · Anchored, Artisan, BBC Sound, Cavity-Native, Characterful, Intimate, PRaT, Reference, Romantic
Against the Intimate brief, the Naim NVC TT MM/MC keeps the slot decisively.
With the van den Hul The Frog, the pairing gives up most on low-level clarity.
On its own merits the Chord Huei MM/MC is the stronger phono stage — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the van den Hul The Frog gives up low-level clarity under the Intimate weighting.
It sits well below the share of the budget this brief aims at the phono stage position.
clearly very low in noiseHi-Fi Choice (Todd) 2020
8 lost · Anchored, Characterful, PRaT, Romantic
Against the Anchored brief, the Musical Fidelity M8x Vinyl keeps the slot decisively.
With the van den Hul The Frog, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
With the Audiolab 9000Q, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Chord Huei MM/MC is the stronger phono stage — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the van den Hul The Frog gives up quietness at rest under the Anchored weighting.
absolutely silent... no hint of hissThe Ear (Kelly) 2020
absolutely silent... no hint of hissThe Ear (Kelly) 2020
7 lost · BBC Sound, Cavity-Native, Intimate, Reference
Against the Intimate brief, the Rega Aura Reference MC keeps the slot decisively.
With the van den Hul The Crimson, the pairing gives up most on low-level clarity.
With the EAR Yoshino 868L (Line), the pairing gives up most on low-level clarity.
On its own merits the Chord Huei MM/MC is the weaker phono stage for that brief.
clearly very low in noiseHi-Fi Choice (Todd) 2020
clearly very low in noiseHi-Fi Choice (Todd) 2020
3 lost · Vocals-First
Against the Vocals-First brief, the Tom Evans Groove+ SRX MkII keeps the slot by a whisker.
On its own merits the Chord Huei MM/MC is the weaker phono stage for that brief.
It sits well below the share of the budget this brief aims at the phono stage position.
3 lost · Artisan, Reference
Against the Artisan brief, the EAR Yoshino 88PB MM/MC keeps the slot decisively.
With the van den Hul The Colibri, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
With the Audiolab 9000Q, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Chord Huei MM/MC is the stronger phono stage — but it loses here on fit: the pairing with the van den Hul The Colibri gives up quietness at rest under the Artisan weighting.
absolutely silent... no hint of hissThe Ear (Kelly) 2020
absolutely silent... no hint of hissThe Ear (Kelly) 2020
2 lost · Silent Path
Against the Silent Path brief, the Whest Audio 60Se Pro keeps the slot decisively.
With the Goldring Eroica HX MC, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Chord Huei MM/MC is the weaker phono stage for that brief.
It sits well below the share of the budget this brief aims at the phono stage position.
absolutely silent... no hint of hissThe Ear (Kelly) 2020
2 lost · Vocals-First
Against the Vocals-First brief, the Cyrus Classic PHONO keeps the slot by a whisker.
On its own merits the Chord Huei MM/MC is the weaker phono stage for that brief.
RIAA tracking within +/-0.1dBSPEC: RIAA accuracy +/-0.1dB (manufacturer)
1 lost · Silent Path
Against the Silent Path brief, the Whest Audio TITAN Pro II keeps the slot decisively.
With the Goldring Eroica HX MC, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Chord Huei MM/MC is the weaker phono stage for that brief.
It sits well below the share of the budget this brief aims at the phono stage position.
absolutely silent... no hint of hissThe Ear (Kelly) 2020
1 lost · Silent Path
Against the Silent Path brief, the Michell Apollo + Muse PSU keeps the slot decisively.
With the Goldring Eroica HX MC, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
With the Audiolab 9000Q, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Chord Huei MM/MC is the weaker phono stage for that brief.
absolutely silent... no hint of hissThe Ear (Kelly) 2020
absolutely silent... no hint of hissThe Ear (Kelly) 2020