Heed Audio Questar Phono Preamplifier

Heed Questar phono preamplifier for turntables, available with MM/MC technology. Power supply not included – requires separate purchase of either the Heed X-PSU or the Heed Q-PSU.

The Questars are destined to be the best entry-level options of the Heed modular line for vinyl reply that money can buy. Under the hood of their hefty, shielded steel chassis beats the heart of our Quasar MM/MC phonostage, conveniently divided into neatly-specialized a’ la carte portions.

The QUESTAR MM largely incorporates the Quasar’s unsurpassed MM circuitry, while its sibling, the Questar MC deploys a streamlined version of the Quasar’s MC stage, eliminating the need for jumper switches by optimising the amplifier to suit the 300-600 µV/100 Ohm output range characterising the vast majority of today’s moving coils. Considering its generous 18 dB headroom, ideal cartridge matching is virtually assured.

The internal construction of the Questars meets the most critical high-end standards in every respect. The amplifier employs an entirely dual-mono configuration and uses a two-stage – passive/active – RIAA equalisation. Gain adjustment has been optimised for maximum headroom and highest signal-to-noise ratio. Component parts are selected to exacting tolerances matching those of our Quasar.

The Questars are suitable for any line-level amplifier input, and can easily drive virtually any length of interconnect. There is no internal wiring or binding, and all high-current parts of the circuit are shielded. Both models feature gold-plated RCA terminals soldered directly onto the PCB, limiting all signal paths to a bare minimum.

The Questars use an external power supply to avoid undesirable electro-magnetic interference within the chassis. Sonic performance can be even further enhanced by upgrading to the Q-PSU.

FEATURES
– 2 versions: MM or MC preamplifier
– 2-stage topology
– discrete bipolar transistor circuits
– upgradeable power supply

SPECIFICATIONS

Heed Audio at a glance

Heed Audio is not just another hi-fi electronics manufacturer with British audio heritage in its DNA — it is a manifesto of authenticity, passion, and independent vision. Founded in Hungary, the brand stands out for its radically human approach to sound reproduction. In a market so often dominated by numbers, measurements, and technological catchphrases, Heed chooses a different path: that of the listening experience as an absolute value.

Every Heed product is designed to serve the music, not the machine. The amplifiers, DACs, and external power supplies are built according to a philosophy that places musicality, tonal coherence, and natural soundstaging at the very centre. There are no gimmicks — just tonal integrity and emotional balance that recall the finest British electronics of the golden era, reimagined with elegance, craftsmanship, and a modern spirit.

And that’s exactly where it all began — with one defining example:

In the 1980s, those who brought home an ION Obelisk experienced something rare and precious: the feeling of having discovered one of hi-fi’s best-kept secrets. It wasn’t a flashy amplifier, nor did it shout its specifications. But from the very first listen, many enthusiasts realised that something extraordinarily musical was happening.

Here’s what it felt like:

• A sense of wonder: at how such a compact device could drive even demanding speakers with such ease and refinement.

• Emotion: because the Obelisk didn’t impress through brute power, but through its ability to tell the story of music — with fluidity, dynamic range, and a sense of timing reminiscent of valve amplifiers.

• Deep satisfaction: the kind that comes from extended listening sessions, free of fatigue, drawn into a sound that keeps you there.

• A sense of uniqueness: because owning an Obelisk meant making a choice that went against the grain — a commitment to musical substance over passing trends.

In short, those who welcomed such a device into their home discovered an amplifier that didn’t try to dazzle with figures or appearance, but that won them over gradually, listen after listen, by speaking directly to the heart.

And on this front, Heed Audio makes no compromises. It doesn’t follow fashion. It’s not made for everyone. But those who discover it rarely look back. Because listening with Heed isn’t about technical showmanship — it’s about returning to music as a deep, living, and emotionally resonant experience.

If you’re seeking the soul of sound, Heed is a name worthy of your attention — and your respect.