Dual CS 618Q Review

The first device from Dual that we received for testing was the CS 600 turntable. With a test result of a very good 8.7 out of 10, the drive made a convincing entry into our test series. In total, over the past nine years, we have been able to test nine devices from Dual. With an average result of an excellent 8.7 out of 10 and an average price of $940, Dual has proven to be an ideal choice for a successful entry into the world of vinyl.

Dual CS 618Q

Our current test subject from the traditional manufacturer’s range can be counted among the higher-priced Dual models with a recommended retail price of $1,365. And that’s although it is neither a fully automatic turntable nor equipped with an integrated Bluetooth module, like the fully automatic CS 529, for which the manufacturer asks only $1,050 (for the black color variant).

The Dual CS 618Q is, in principle, a semi-automatic turntable with direct drive—a design principle for which Dual enjoys great international recognition. Its vibration-free, coreless DC direct drive with quartz-stabilized speed control enables precise speeds of 33, 45, and even 78 rpm with minimal wow and flutter of less than ±0.07% (DIN rated). This value was confirmed in our test, as was the very good start-up speed. The turntable reaches the desired rotational speed in less than two seconds.

The hefty platter is made of heavy aluminum die-cast with a resonance-damping rubber mat and measures 305 millimeters in diameter with an overall weight of 1,450 grams. The platter bearing consists of hardened steel in a brass bushing, which ensures smooth running. The assembly is extremely straightforward: a few drops of oil on the ball and spindle, place the platter on, and fix it over the second part of the spindle thanks to a screw thread.

Timeless Design

The fully cardanic tonearm with four pivot bearings and an effective length of 221.5 millimeters is equipped with the Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge. The CS 618Q features, typical for Dual, an automatic lift and end shut-off, which increase operating comfort. The tracking force is statically adjustable via a counterweight, and the continuously adjustable anti-skating can be easily adjusted via a dial with a scale. Both control elements are of excellent workmanship and promise long-lasting playing pleasure. The cartridge has a curvature of 25 degrees and an overhang of 19 millimeters. Aside from the platter and the dust cover, the headshell is the only component that the customer has to assemble independently. However, this is done effortlessly thanks to the four-pin connector.

The housing of the Dual turntable is made of MDF with various surface options, including foil, high-gloss lacquer, and walnut veneer. The plain housing corresponds entirely to the manufacturer’s typical design. On the back, in addition to power and RCA connections, two toggle switches are installed. On the one hand, the integrated phono preamp can be bypassed here. On the other hand, the stop automation of the turntable can be deactivated. Resonance absorbers made of elastomer with a diameter of 62 millimeters are integrated into the feet to minimize unwanted vibrations caused by high-frequency shocks. A multi-stage decoupling of the drive chassis to protect against coarser shocks has not been included in the Dual CS 618Q, which is reflected in its affordability.

The turntable has RCA sockets and can be connected to both phono and line-level inputs. An external plug-in power supply provides the device with power. Overall, like other Dual models, the CS 618Q is of timeless chic. Clear edges and an unadorned appearance speak the unmistakable design language of the German traditional company. The appearance of the turntable is rounded off by the stylish acrylic dust cover. It can be mounted without great effort via familiar plug-in hinges. For our test, however, we refrain from doing so.

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The dimensions of the CS 618Q are 435 × 367 × 145 millimeters with the lid closed; with the lid open, the height is 400 millimeters. Its weight is 7.5 kilograms. Overall, Dual’s new turntable makes a very high-quality impression. The control elements, such as the tonearm lift or the heavy-duty rotary selector for setting the rotational speed, have a pleasant feel and testify to a build quality designed for longevity. We like that!

In Action

As already mentioned, the assembly of the CS 618Q goes smoothly. After a few minutes, the turntable is fully assembled and ready for use. For our test, we set up the Dual turntable with Vincent’s tube preamplifier SA-T7 and tube monoblocks SP-T700. These, in turn, drive two Retro-Style Super Linton floor-standing speakers from Wharfedale. An in-depth review of the Super Linton awaits you.

We begin the sound test of the Dual CS 618Q with an extraordinary piece: “Ghost Riders In The Sky,” interpreted by The Space Lady. Originally released in 1979 by country legend Johnny Cash, the iconic song appeared as a cover on the 1990 album “Amazing Thingz,” initially released on tape, and also features on the collection “Greatest Hits” by The Space Lady. The Dual turntable immediately impresses with a sound performance characterized by its depth and especially by a remarkably stylish bass performance. The rhythmic machine pulses powerfully and supports the walking bass that unfolds rich and assertive from the speakers. The CS 618Q is directly connected to the AUX input of Vincent’s tube preamp and delivers an impressive sound image with considerable sound pressure.

Typically Dual

We continue our test with another cover version to further examine the Dual turntable’s playfulness: “My Kind Of Town,” originally sung by the legendary Frank Sinatra, is presented in our test in a version by Al Saxon. This homage to Chicago sounds lively, colorful, and full of energy. Particularly noteworthy is the pronounced spatiality with which the song is reproduced. Also, “Homogenic,” the 1997 LP by Björk, follows this impression. The second track, “Jóga,” initially resounds with wonderfully naturalistic timbres of strings and vocals before pulsating filtered drums join in. A rich low-end reproduces here the impression that we have also been able to make with other turntables from this manufacturer in the past.

Only in the spectrally complex designed bridge does the degree of differentiation decrease slightly, which we are willing to overlook due to the turntable’s beginner-friendly market value. Because with “All Neon Like,” our test sample is again significantly more emancipated. The very bass-oriented mix of Björk’s song sounds very tidy here. As soon as we bypass the integrated preamp via an external preamplifier, we can even tease out a little more fine-tuning and dynamics from the Dual CS 618Q. “All Is Full of Love (Howie’s Version),” for example, now has even more radiance. The finely chiseled textures of sound effects and string samples are even more precisely textured, and the pleasantly soft sub-bass nestles butter-soft into the mix.

High-Quality and Beginner-Friendly

The Dual CS 618Q semi-automatic turntable impressively confirms the excellent reputation of its manufacturer here. Above all, the uncomplicated operation, the well-thought-out construction, and the flexibility provided by the integrated phono preamp make it an excellent choice for beginners and anyone looking for a high-quality, easy-to-use turntable. Additionally, the CS 618Q convinces with its high-quality workmanship and a design that easily integrates into any living room.

Another highlight of the device is how it reproduces even the finest details in music without overshadowing the overall impression. Especially in acoustically demanding passages—whether it is the dynamics of a live recording or the precision of an orchestral piece—the Dual CS 618Q shows its strengths. For anyone looking to enter the world of analog music playback, this turntable offers an ideal combination of sound quality, simplicity, and style. The Dual CS 618Q fulfills all the requirements of a competent turntable with flying colors. Anything else would have really surprised us with Dual.