Dual CS 529 with Ortofon 2M Red Review

Fully automatic turntables are still rare. And those that sound good and are affordable are even rarer. Dual now offers the CS 529, a turntable that aims to remind us of the good old days in terms of sound while embracing modern comforts.

by Lothar Brandt

Despite the Analog Revival:

After the comeback of turntables, the once ubiquitous fully automatic models hardly play a role anymore. The reasons may be manifold: the expensive mechanics, for example. The magic hand that guides the tonearm at the push of a button over the lead-in groove of the selected record side, lowers it precisely, and at the end, after reaching the run-out groove, reliably lifts it and returns it to the starting position.

High-end enthusiasts have always wrinkled their noses at the added convenience, believing that investments would be better placed in sound-enhancing measures. And “all senses” synesthetes complain about the loss of “analog” haptics when users no longer have to handle the tonearm and lift themselves. Arguments that almost dissolve when seeing and handling the Dual CS 529.

This player offers the complete package for $1,050, all-around carefree to boot. On one hand, it appeals to nostalgic feelings because it—along with other models—brings back a German traditional brand like no other. In the 1960s and 70s, Dual was almost synonymous with affordable turntables made in Germany—and countless model variants did their job automatically. In music chests, compact systems, and hi-fi towers, as they were fashionable at the time.

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Then the CS 529 (the abbreviation CS already stood for elevated quality back then) looks really chic. The stable MDF plinth already inspires confidence in the black standard veneer—for around $105 extra, you can also acquire the player as before in a walnut finish. Moreover, the aluminum die-cast platter, weighing around 850 grams and equipped with a rubber mat, and the quadruple-lagged tonearm with its screw-on headshell via a union nut look anything but cheap.

Great Comfort

The quick test after the swiftly accomplished setup shows the impatient: The automatic works immediately and flawlessly. Thanks to separate selection of diameter and rotation speed, singles at 33 1⁄3 and maxis at 45 rpm can also be played. Even 78 rpm is available. But the great comfort feature of the full automatic is topped by the Dual CS 529: with a free app that can be easily loaded onto a smartphone or tablet. And which then commands not only start or stop but also repeats via Bluetooth.

Speaking of Bluetooth: Those who wish can also connect to active speakers or appropriately equipped amplifiers using the wireless aptX HD technology. Everything works without fuss. Only the now commonly used digitization of records via a USB output is not offered by the Dual. But that doesn’t matter.

Fine Technology

Because on the analog side, the look inside also brings much pleasure. The speed is controlled by an opto-electronic system using a kind of stroboscope. Various rubber buffers decouple the platter and tonearm from the chassis. In this way, motor noises or footfall sound are effectively kept from reaching the cartridge needle. As a cartridge, a good old acquaintance is built-in as standard: The Ortofon 2M Red is a tried and tested pickup based on the Moving Magnet (MM) principle. The Dual also offers an integrated phono preamp. Records are produced with significant bass reduction to save space and strong treble boost to drown out surface noise. This frequency response distortion must be reversed.

Moreover, the weak signal of the pickups must be boosted to the level of, for example, CD players, called line level. Many modern amplifiers no longer offer the “Phono” input. With the CS 529, this is not a problem. Because its built-in phono stage is impressive—it easily leaves most basic MM preamps behind. And it can easily keep up with the phono inputs of most mid-range integrated amplifiers. This was shown when we operated the player alternately on the MM phono or line input of a top-class integrated amplifier like a Luxman L-505Z.

A huge praise to Dual—because the company offers many analog newcomers or returnees a serious solution here. Additionally, the turntable, like its cartridge, delivered a very decent performance in the measuring lab (see bottom right). One “problem” buyers still have to solve themselves, of course. Like any turntable, the Dual CS 529 needs to be “leveled.” This doesn’t mean sinking but precisely aligning it horizontally.

In doubt, paper or cardboard scraps help to bring the air bubble of a one- or two-dimensional spirit level to the middle position. Afterwards, plug in the somewhat meager supplied cable (a well-meaning dealer might perhaps throw in a better one)—and off you go.

Anyone who thinks that convenience comes at the expense of sound is thoroughly mistaken with the Dual CS 529.

Convincing Sound

Temperamental, gripping, and with a great sense of rhythm: That’s how the fully automatic also convinced the members of the listening jury, who were less interested in the comfort than in the sound of the CS 529. Apparently, the managing director of the new Dual Deutschland GmbH, the longtime Dual expert Dr. Josef Zellner, has set the goal to reconnect with old glorious times with good sound. Where some affordable analog players still lack emotional involvement in the music with slightly dull and restrained sound, the Dual approached the task with a lot of feeling. Not only with strong voices.

Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson released a grand instrumental solo album with “Divinities” in 1995. Crossover in the best sense. And with the grandiose, eight-minute “In The Times Of India,” he set a gripping final point. The CS 529 staged it with a massively surprising intensity for its price range. The pulsing Indian percussion, the jubilant flute above it, the massive orchestra—all penetrated powerfully into the auditory center. Quite amazing that the Dual could even intensify this experience when connected with its own phono preamp to a high-level input of the outstanding Soulution 331. With it, vinyl beginners and returnees have an analog source that grows even further with system upgrades. It even convincingly built the lofty sound cathedral of a Bruckner symphony with convincing dynamic differentiation.

• Model: Dual CS 529 (with Ortofon 2M Red cartridge)
• List Price: from 1,000 EUR
• Warranty: 5 years
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 43.5 × 14.5 (closed lid) × 36.7 cm
• Weight: 6.7 kg
• Drive System: Flat belt over inner platter
• Speeds: 33 1/3, 45, 78 rpm

Key Features

• Built-in Phono Preamp: Yes (switchable)
• Wireless Bluetooth Connectivity: Yes (aptX)
• Digital Interface: – (none)
• Tonearm Height Adjustment: –
• Fully Automatic / Auto-Stop: Yes / Yes
• Special Feature: Bluetooth App remote control

Verdict

With the CS 529, Dual has achieved an extremely convincing bridge between tradition and modernity, between comfort and sound. Find your favorite LP, put it on, sit down. The listening pleasure then comes automatically.

Pros & Cons

• (+) Surprisingly mature (refined) sound
• (+) Excellent ease of use
• (+) Good built-in phono preamplifier
• (+) Bluetooth aptX connectivity
• (–) No USB output

Test Results

• Sound (Phono / Line Input): 132 / 132 points
  • Likely out of ~150, so roughly 8.8 / 10
• Features (“Ausstattung”): “sehr gut – überragend” (very good to outstanding) → approx. 9–10 / 10
• Operation (“Bedienung”): “überragend” (outstanding) → 10 / 10
• Workmanship (“Verarbeitung”): “gut” (good) → 8 / 10

Overall Verdict: 132 points → approx. 8.8 / 10
Price/Performance: “überragend” → “outstanding”