Hifi News

CS Turntable range from Dual

There are currently 10 models in the Dual CS range, all are back in the UK market, thanks to a new agreement with County Durham-based distributor Decent Audio

The Dual brand name is currently used by two different companies, both still German owned and based.

Dual DGC GmbH sells mostly imported, Asian-made consumer electronics such as radios, televisions and various portable audio devices, including inexpensive turntables (with models prefixed DT, NR and MTR).

Dual Phono GmbH, meanwhile – creator of the original Dual line of turntables – was acquired by Alfred Fehrenbacher GmbH, which has continued to produce them using the same production equipment from the original Dual factory, in the Black Forest town of St. Georgen. These turntables are identified by their product name prefix, ‘CS’.

CS Turntable range from Dual

CS 440

CS 435-1 offers automatic start and cueing as well as auto stop, returning the tonearm to its rest at the end of play.

CS 435-1

Atop the solid wooden chassis is a aluminium platter with felt mat, below which a floating sub-chassis provides isolation.

CS Turntable range from Dual

CS 460

The CS-505/4, now in its fourth generation, features a tonearm with a Cardan bearing and torsion-spring tracking force control. The headshell is detachable and the tracking and anti-skating are adjustable.

CS Turntable range from Dual

CS-505/4

The top model is the fully manual CS-600, which features a custom-developed four-point Cardan bearing tonearm.

CS-600

The triple-damped aluminium platter is weighted with two copper damping rings plus an additional internal cast mass damper. The platter rotates on a 10mm-diameter brass and Teflon bearing, driven by a flat belt and DC motor with electronic speed control.

CS Turntable range from Dual

CS 460

The Dual CS range is priced from £299 for the entry-level CS 440, to £1,399 for the range-topping CS 600. All models include a tonearm. All but the top two models (CS 550 & CS 600) include a cartridge.

To learn more, call 056 0205 4669 or click www.dual-plattenspieler.eu

Don’t forget to check out my Facebook Group, The Audiophile Man: Hi-Fi & Music here: www.facebook.com/groups/theaudiophileman for exclusive postings, exclusive editorial and more!]

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16 Comments

  • Reply
    Vladimir Dorta
    20th January 2019 at 1:52 pm

    I fondly remember the old Duals and I hope you can review the sharp looking CS 600 in the future.

    • Reply
      Paul Rigby
      20th January 2019 at 1:57 pm

      I’ll try my best Vladimir!

  • Reply
    Dennis Gonsorowski
    26th August 2019 at 5:50 am

    When will Dual distribute the CS 526 in the USA? They are not dual voltage. Any info would help. On top of the power converter, you would also need a 60hz motor pulley, as that table would have a 50hz one.

    • Reply
      Paul Rigby
      26th August 2019 at 3:03 pm

      Let me ask, Dennis.

      • Reply
        Jeff Fulford
        9th October 2019 at 6:57 pm

        I am also interested in the US version of the CS 526? Will it be released in a US version? If not, what is your opinion on the best semi auto TT on the market today? Just need platter to stop &/or arm to raise. Not to return. Thx

        • Reply
          Paul Rigby
          10th October 2019 at 9:38 am

          I’m not aware of a US version Jeff – what sort of budget can you stretch to?

  • Reply
    Jeff Fulford
    10th October 2019 at 2:34 pm

    Thanks for prompt response Paul. I have a 1973 Philips GA 212 that I purchased in college. It was stored in my living room cabinet for 25 years, and when I upgraded my system recently I decided to get back into vinyl (I had several hundred albums in boxes in same cabinet and all are in great shape). My new system is Denon AVR x4500 wirh nice Klipsch speakers all around, and I upgraded the TT with a new belt and new AT 120EB cartridge. It sounds nice,but thinking a new model ‘may’ sound better. But I do like the convenience of a platter that stops, as i am often working when listening and can’t always get up to flip the record.

    Sorry for the long prelude, but the answer to your question is my budget is around $2000 +.

    I see Thorens has a new model that looks great (TD-1601) but is pricey, and has a fully auto model TD 148A. I have seen some complaints about older TD 295 MK IV. And finally have seen the Technics 1500C direct drive and Thorens 402 DD.
    Are these the only semi autos worth looking at? And what would you recommend?

    • Reply
      Paul Rigby
      10th October 2019 at 4:04 pm

      Hi Jeff – can I ask, what sort of sound do you like? Can you describe that please?

  • Reply
    Jeff Fulford
    10th October 2019 at 4:43 pm

    Paul
    My sound tastes are broad. Most everything but opera. Mostly, I listen to 60s and 70s, Beatles are my fav, classic rock, and love piano and guitar / strings music, and country.
    In searching cartridges, I found a lot of favorable comments with the Ortofon Bronze for this type of music. My records are in really great shape, so I looked at the Ortofon black with Shibata stylus, but don’t really think I need that level of precision. But I am no expert.

    • Reply
      Paul Rigby
      10th October 2019 at 4:58 pm

      Hi Jeff – I mean in terms of sonics. Do you prefer a balanced sound? Bass emphasis? Brighter mids, etc?

  • Reply
    Jeff Fulford
    10th October 2019 at 5:49 pm

    OOOHHH. I do like bass and vocals, would that mean ‘warm sounds’?. Not sure I understand the ‘brighter mids’ though, but from what I read it seems that if too ‘bright’ it can get fatiguing? Would that mean I lean toward warm and balanced?

  • Reply
    Jeff Fulford
    11th October 2019 at 1:42 pm

    Thx Paul. I have actually read your reviews on Thorens. It sounds like that may be the better product for me. I’ll look forward to your reviews of their 2019 products (TD 1601, 148A & 402DD). In your spare time…. LOL
    Jeff

  • Reply
    Andrew Way
    23rd April 2021 at 10:34 am

    Hello, advice please? Dual CS 505-2. Totally dead. Mains fuse ok. Worked fine but now no response at all. Taken platter off, motor not turning. Drive belt intact. My query – replace or search for a repairer? Thank you in advance.

    • Reply
      Paul Rigby
      23rd April 2021 at 11:12 am

      Hi Andrew – at this distance (and my urge is to get a hold of it and fiddle about with the thing) I’d take a wild guess at a dead motor/power supply. Where you there when it died and, if so, did you get any visual/aural clues when it died or did it die in its sleep and it failed to turn on one day?

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