chord Huei Phono Stage User Manual

: June 7, 2024
: chord

Table of Contents

Getting to know Huei
Power connection
Setting LED brightness
Connecting turntables to Huei
Connecting Huei to amplifiers
Selecting MM or MC playback
Selecting the impedance setting for your cartridge
Connecting Huei to your preamplifier or amplifier
Removing rumble noise
Eliminating ground/earth hum
Care instructions
Important information
Specifications
Documents / Resources

chord Huei Phono Stage

Getting to know Huei

We’re pleased to introduce Huei, a high-performance Moving Magnet and Moving Coil phono stage developed and manufactured by Chord Electronics in Kent, England. Please take a few moments to familiarize yourself with its operation.

On/off rocker switch
12V DC power input
Unbalanced RCA right and left output
Unbalanced RCA right and left input
Grounding post
Balanced XLR right and left output
Rear

Front
Moving Magnet and Moving Coil selector button
Rumble filter on/off
Feature viewing glass
Cartridge gain selector button
Cartridge impedance selector button

Power connection

Huei is supplied with a 12V, 2A external power supply (which is the only supply that should be used). A convenient power switch above the 12V DC input, can be used to switch Huei ‘on’ and ‘off’. We recommend that this is performed with partnering preamps or amplifiers turned ‘off’.

WARNING: ONLY OPERATE HUEI WITH THE SUPPLIED POWER SUPPLY. USING A THIRD- PARTY DEVICE WILL INVALIDATE YOUR WARRANTY.

Setting LED brightness

It’s possible to adjust the brightness of the control spheres between two modes: ‘high’ and ‘low’. To cycle between the modes, simply press both the ‘MM/MC’ and the ‘RUMBLE’ buttons simultaneously

Connecting turntables to Huei

Huei has one stereo pair of RCAs for connection to turntables. These inputs are labelled as ‘IN R’ (right channel) and ‘IN L’ (left channel) and are colour-coded to facilitate connections to turntables.

Connecting Huei to amplifiers

Huei has two outputs: RCA and XLR. We recommended using one output at a time. As the circuitry within Huei is fully balanced, XLR may be preferable.

To connect Huei to the amplifier/preamp, ensure that all devices are turned ‘off’ before securely attaching interconnects to Huei and the partnering amplifier, paying attention to the L (left) and R (right) channel markers.

Once Huei is connected, do not switch your preamp/amplifier ‘on’ until the volume is at its lowest setting. Next, turn Huei ‘on’ and select the appropriate settings for your cartridge as explained below. With the settings correct, select the lowest gain setting on Huei (white), before turning connected equipment ‘on’.
Next, select the appropriate input on your preamplifier, begin playing the source and gradually increase the gain/volume to a comfortable level.

Please note that if Huei is switched ‘off’, it will remember previously selected settings. You should only need to complete the set-up of your cartridge during the initial installation (unless you change cartridge).

Selecting MM or MC playback

When setting up Huei for playback, it is most important to correctly identify and select the type of cartridge you’ll be using from the cartridge manufacturer’s specifications. Both Moving Magnet (MM) and Moving Coil (MC) have unique specifications and subsequently, different custom settings are available within Huei’s menu.

To select between Moving Magnet (MM) and Moving Coil (MC), press and hold the ‘MM/MC’ button until the corresponding colour is selected for your input.

Selecting the impedance setting for your cartridge

It is only possible to select impedance with a Moving Coil cartridge in MC mode (Moving Magnets always require a set 47kΩ impedance). Therefore, when in Moving Magnet mode, the ‘IMPEDANCE’ button will not illuminate.

With a Moving Coil cartridge in MC mode, select the correct impedance from information within the manufacturer’s specifications. If you cannot identify the impedance information from your cartridge user manual or relevant website,
please consult your supplying dealer or the manufacturer directly.

Once the impedance of the cartridge is known, use the graphical guide below to find a suitable match and select the corresponding colour by pressing the ‘IMPEDANCE’ button repeatedly. The impedance will increase sequentially to Min

2.2uF before moving back down the range again.

Please note that the impedance of the cartridge may not fit exactly within the ranges specified; select the range that best matches. Selecting an impedance with a 2.2uF load when using a Moving Coil (MC) cartridge dampens the ringing of lower impedance cartridges, reducing distortion. Consult your cartridge manufacturer’s information or a hi-fi dealer for more information.

NOTE: IMPEDANCE CANNOT BE CHANGED WHEN IN MOVING MAGNET MODE. PRESS AND HOLD THE MM/MC BUTTON TO ACTIVATE MOVING COIL MODE. WARNING! PLEASE MUTE OR LOWER THE VOLUME OF YOUR PREAMPLIFIER BEFORE CHANGING IMPEDANCE.

Connecting Huei to your preamplifier or amplifier

Huei features variable gain to attenuate the volume for high-output cartridges and records. Use the chart below to adjust the gain to a suitable level for your preamp or amplifier. Do not adjust the gain while a signal is going through the device. If you are unsure of which setting is appropriate, consult with your dealer.
Please note that the light range will repeat after it has fully cycled.

Moving Coil gain ranges:

Colour

| V Gain dB – RCA Output|

V Gain dB – XLR Output

---|---|---

Off

| Max Gain 70dB| 76dB
Red| 64dB|

70dB

Blue

| 60dB| 66dB
Pink| 58dB|

64dB

Green

| 52dB| 58dB
Yellow| 51dB|

57dB

Cyan

| 50dB| 56dB
White| 49dB|

55dB

Moving Magnet gain ranges:

Colour

| V Gain dB – RCA Output|

V Gain dB – XLR Output

---|---|---

Off

| Max Gain 42dB| 48dB
Red| 37dB|

43dB

Blue

| 32dB| 38dB
Pink| 30dB|

36dB

Green

| 25dB| 31dB
Yellow| 23dB|

29dB

Cyan

| 22dB| 28dB
White| 21dB|

27dB

Removing rumble noise

Huei features a Rauch Slope rumble filter that removes mechanical noise from the turntable. It cancels out the opposing noise from each channel whilst keeping the original music signal intact. To engage the filter, press ‘RUMBLE’ until the sphere shows white. If no colour is displayed, the rumble filter is ‘off’.

Eliminating ground/earth hum

Turntables can experience unwanted hum or buzzing related to grounding
issues from the cartridge. Huei allows you to ground your turntable using a convenient grounding post, situated above the ‘IN R’ and ‘IN L’ RCA posts. You should always use the post to ground your device and eliminate noise.

To ground your cartridge, unscrew the locking earth-pin (we recommend three turns) and locate the earthing wire from your turntable. Place the spade tip in between the metal washers and hex bolt, before screwing back the locking earth pin thumb-tight. While a spade tip is recommended, if you have bare wire, you can wrap this around the post and then secure the locking earth-pin.

Care instructions

WARRANTY REGISTRATION: To activate the three-year parts and labour warranty, register Huei online at: chordelectronics.co.uk/registerproduct

Only use a dry cloth to gently clean Huei

Never directly spray liquids, including cleaners, onto Huei

Do not allow Huei to come into contact with liquid

Never poke objects into the exposed connectors

Never drop or expose Huei to mechanical shock

No user-serviceable parts contained. Do not disassemble Huei. Doing so will void your warranty.
Please contact your original dealer in the event of a fault

Only operate within the specified temperatures

Important information

Only connect Huei to a device capable of attenuating its output, such as a preamplifier or integrated amplifier. Do not connect Huei directly to a power amplifier. Incorrect settings could cause irreparable damage to your equipment and hearing. If in doubt, contact your supplying dealer.

If you require help or advice, we recommend contacting your supplying dealer, who will have the best understanding of your system and will be able to offer bespoke advice. If you require further assistance, please visit the support page of the Chord Electronics website: chordelectronics.co.uk/get-support

PLACEMENT

Keep Huei away from carpet and soft surfaces

Always allow the unit to be well ventilated

Always keep away from sources of heat and direct sunlight

Keep away from liquids and damp areas. Immediately unplug if contact occurs

WARNING: THERE ARE NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE HUEI. DO NOT DISASSEMBLE. DOING SO WILL VOID YOUR WARRANTY, COULD DAMAGE YOUR UNIT AND COULD RESULT IN ELECTROCUTION.

Specifications

Input impedance MM	47,000Ω
Input impedance MC	100Ω – 3700Ω (12-step)
Input noise	1.1nV/Hz
Max output voltage	20V RMS
Equalization response	RIAA curve
Equalization accuracy	± 0.1dB
Frequency response	RIAA curve 12Hz to 25kHz
Dimensions	41mm (H) x 160mm (W) x 72mm (D)
Weight	657g