Play More Records, More Often
High-quality turntable design with detailed resolution retrieval has never been convenient, until now. Precisely timed, eerily quiet, and devilishly convenient, Dual's new direct drive turntable with automatic tonearm lifter raises the bar on serious turntable play, allowing you to flip records faster. And because they sound so incredible, you'll play a lot more records more often.
CS 618Q Hotspot Features:
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Statically Balanced
Tonearm
Straight, statically balanced and constructed of solid aluminium, the CS 618Q tonearm is a remarkable feat of engineering, plumbing the depths of your favourite records to deliver incredible music detail.
Records explode in vibrant detail thanks to 618Qs twin gimbal tonearm design, increasing sensitivity to retrieve greater detail and dynamics from your favourite albums
Plus, audiophile cartridge upgrades are made possible thanks to its solid aluminium construction with precision pivot ball-bearing, anti-skate and counterweight adjustments, deepening your music appreciation with every passing year.
Anti-skate Adjustment
An accurate spring-loaded anti-skate perfectly counters centripetal force that would otherwise disproportionately increase stylus pressure against one side of the record groove.
Accurate anti-stake adjustment ensures perfect stylus alignment, eliminating distortion, protecting the record, and balancing sound distribution across left and right stereo channels
Finely tuned, user friendly, and compatible with a variety of cartridges and stylus assemblies, CS 618Qs Anti-skate Adjustment mechanism improves sound quality while preserving the integrity of your precious records.
Aluminium Die-Cast
Platter
An Aluminium Die-cast platter coupled with a heavy, anti-resonant rubber platter mat creates rotational stability while minimising errant mechanical/material distortions. So, you get smoother play with better sound quality.
Meticulously crafted from high-grade aluminium and die-cast to increase strength and rigidity, 618Qs platter spins upon a hardened steel spindle in a brass bushing. This ensures seamless, consistent operation over a longer lifespan.
A heavy-weight rubber platter mat dampens unwanted platter resonances that distort and stifle your music's clarity and dynamics. It's also anti-static, protecting both your records and your stylus against dust particulates that quickly degrade them.
learn moreInterchangable
Head Shell & Cartridge
Pre-fit, pre-aligned, and prepared to dig deep for those finer nuances, Ortofon's 2M Blue harvests the kind of detail required to ensure that all your favourite albums explode in vibrant technicolour.
618Qs quick-release headshell design simplifies both cartridge installation and replacement, removing the need for complex tools and adjustments, making cartridge swaps easy.
Cartridge manufacturers cultivate sounds the way winemakers do grapes, making upgrades a tasty thought. Owning multiple headshell/cartridge combos allows you to fine-tune future listening sessions, should you grow into a vinyl connoisseur.
No Phono, No Worries
Built in Phono
CS 618Qs inbuilt phono preamplifier lets you to connect to the widest range of audio electronics, including 2-channel stereo amplifiers, surround sound receivers, Bluetooth and active speakers.
With the ability to switch between Phono and Line, CS 618Q offers inbuilt pre-amplification for systems that don't include Phono inputs, as well as the ability to bypass this internal pre-amplification should you wish to include an external Phono Preamp.
Higher quality Phono Preamplifiers significantly improve sound quality. Thanks to CS 618Qs switchable inbuilt phono preamplifier, you can continue to enhance your listening experience over the life of the turntable.
33,45, 78
Speed Control
Effortless and wonderfully tactile, Dual’s speed selection dial makes flipping between your favourite records a dream. Sling singles, start a 78 collection, or line up a playlist of LPs. It’s too easy and way too much fun.
33 ⅓ – for conventional 12" record play. This is the standard speed by which most records are pressed.
45 – originally used for EPs & singles, these days many high fidelity pressing are recorded at 45rpm to improve sound quality
78 – is itself an entirely different format to conventional vinyl records. They're harder, have much narrower record grooves, and require specific cartridges.
Solid MDF
Plinth
A record player's soaring acoustic talents rest on strong foundations. That's why CS 618Q is built using an anti-resonant MDF construction wrapped in a Walnut or Blackwood veneer.
More inert than conventional timber materials, Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) dampens vibrations that colour and distort playback, improving your records' clarity and dynamics.
Resting on four specially designed feet, featuring internal elastomer vibration absorber, CS 618Q is not only a 70s style turntable dripping in music tradition, it sounds even better than it looks.
Direct Drive
CS 618Q incorporates a quartz stabilised and rumble-free direct-drive motor for accurate, effortless vinyl play. Direct drive means you're free from fitting, breaking, or replacing worn platter belts. And with better torque to get you up to speed fast, you'll play more records more often.
Under the hood
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Gallery
No phono? No problems.
Don’t buy new components just to play records. With an inbuilt (MM) phono preamplifier, CS 618Q plays through just about anything. Bluetooth and smart speakers, powered monitors, or amplifiers without phono connections, if it’s powered and includes an audio input, CS 618Q is all you need.
Technical Specifications
Dual CS-618Q Manual Turntable
Motor:
Drive: | Direct Drive |
Speed: | 33/45/78 |
Wow & Flutter: | < ±0,07 % (DIN WTD) |
Tonearm:
Auto-Start/Stop Function: | Auto-Stop/Auto Tonearmlift |
Bearing: | 4 x Pivot ball-bearing /twin gimbal mounting |
Effective Length: | 221.5mm |
Type: | Statically Balanced |
Cartridge Weight Range: | 5g to 9g |
Factory-Fitted Cartridge: | Ortofon 2M Blue |
Platter:
Material: | Aluminium die-cast |
Mat: | Rubber 2.5mm |
Diameter: | 305mm |
Weight: | 1450g |
Plinth:
Material: | MDF, folded |
Surface Finish: | Black wood, Veneer Wallnut |
Connections: | RCA socket |
Dimensions (HxWxD): | 435 x 367 x 145mm (Dustcover closed) |
Weight: | 7kg |
Power plug: | External Power Supply |
Critic Reviews
Sound Stage Access
If you’ve read my other reviews, you know that I was a loyal Dual user for decades. I thought Dual ’tables offered the greatest value for the money and produced fine sound. The CS 618Q not only carries on that tradition, it ups the ante. I spent several weeks with this elegant ’table and really enjoyed the experience.
hi-fi+
What Dual is supremely good at though is delivering a consistently engaging take on a wide spread of musical styles, all encased in a turntable that feels like it will last a very long time indeed. This all round ability and day to day user friendliness is likely win Dual a whole new generation of enthusiastic converts and it is well auditioning.
Downloads
What's in the box
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Turntable
CS 618Q semi automatic turntable comes standard with tonearm, motor system, and elastomer feet fitted to its chassis.
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Dust Cover
Dual dust covers are made of high-grade clear acrylic and are effortlessly fitted using the provided dust cover hinges.
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Cables & Accessories
RCA line & ground cables, headshell & Ortofon 2M Blue, counterweight, aluminium platter, and rubber platter mat.
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Manual
Dual manuals include detailed turntable specifications and easy-to-follow fitting instructions.
Set Up Guide
How to Set Up your CS-618Q Turntable
Welcome to our step-by-step tutorial on setting up your direct drive turntable! Whether you're new to vinyl or a seasoned enthusiast, proper setup is essential for optimal performance and audio quality. In this video, we'll guide you through the process of unpacking, assembling, and configuring your direct drive turntable, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free setup experience.