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Reviewers' Choice Award – soundstageaccess.com
Fully-Automatic Operation with Built-in Phono Preamp and Ortofon Phono Cartridge
Taking us back to one of the best aspects of the "golden age" of hi-fi, the great-sounding Dual CS 429 turntable features fully automatic operation. It couldn't be any easier and more convenient to use. The tonearm automatically lifts, moves to the beginning of the LPs, drops gently, and begins to play your album – all with the simple push of a button. You only need to place the vinyl record on the platter and push "start" to begin listening to your favorite music. No cueing is necessary, unless you want to.
The CS 429 even has a built-in phono preamplifier, along with an Ortofon 2M Red phono cartridge and a removable dust cover. Everything you need is included in order to start enjoying your record collection right away. No fuss, no muss, no extras to buy.
"It's Surely a Winner"
"As mentioned in previous reviews, I’ve used Dual turntables for most of my audio life. I’ve always thought it unlikely that a Dual would come along to top my CS 5000, but I have to say, the CS 429 acquits itself pretty brilliantly," reports Thom Moon in his October 1, 2022 review for soundstageaccess.com, which honored the CD 429 with a Reviewers' Choice award.
"This is a turntable I wouldn’t mind having in my system. The automatic feature is welcome and works perfectly, and the Ortofon 2M Red cartridge is a great match for the turntable. Of course, it’s not especially inexpensive at $800, but I found it a worthy effort by the Dual folks. If an automatic turntable appeals to you, I recommend that you check out the Dual CS 429. It’s surely a winner."
"It Can Give a Lot of Joy"
"The CS 429 can give a lot of joy even in its factory configuration, and with a better cartridge and an external phono stage, it can get dangerously close to the machines from a different price category, such as Clearaudio Concept," notes Tomaz Karasinski, stereolifemagazine.com, March 30, 2022.
"It seems that Dual, although it relaunched only a few years ago, still knows how to make great turntables. After the CS 418, the CS 429 is another model from this brand that showed much more than I expected. If you've been looking for a source like this and can't spend more, I recommend you take an interest in it while it's not too late yet."
Audiophile Features
Despite its "record player" functionality, the CS 429 has been skillfully designed with the needs of audiophiles in mind. The internal rubber damping construction decouples the tonearm and platter from external vibrations. The MDF construction with internal vibration absorber is complemented by an elastomer vibration absorber integrated inside the feet. This very quiet platform provides an excellent sonic performance combined with precise, optical speed control.
The CS 429 boasts a fully adjustable, straight, statically balanced tonearm. This provides the option to change the phono cartridge in the future should you wish to upgrade and to alter the tracking force and anti-skating accordingly. The solid aluminum construction with ball-bearings contributes to the smooth and accurate tracking.
The precise aluminum die-cast platter uses a heavy rubber mat for resonance damping along with a solid platter bearing with a hardened steel spindle in a brass bushing.
Easy, Precise Speed Control
A turntable as easy to use as the CS 429 would never insist that you wrestle with belts to change speeds. Operation couldn't be simpler. The precise optical speed control lets you select 33 rpm, 45 rpm, or even 78 rpm with the twist of a knob.
Built-in Phono Preamplifier
There is no obligation to use an outboard phono preamplifier with CS 429. This turntable comes with a built-in phono pre-amplifier. It can be either connected to the phono input or the line input at the amplifier. The built-in phono stage can switched on or off via a switch in the back. If you choose to, you can bypass the phono stage and use one of your own, or one built-into your amp or receiver of choice instead.
Includes Ortofon 2M Red Cartridge
An Ortofon 2M Red moving magnet phono cartridge is pre-mounted and precision-aligned. The 2M Red is an all-purpose cartridge that delivers open, dynamic sound with a slight touch of warmth. It features a new, improved engine that provides an increased output of 5.5mV, an optimized sound reproduction, and a high level of sonic accuracy.
England's What Hi-fi? magazine honored the Ortofon 2M Red by naming it as one of the ten "Best Cartridges 2020." According to the article, the 2M Red "puts in a great performance for the money. The midrange sounds full and expressive, especially vocals. Bass and treble also score well… It's simple to fit and align, and provides a more than enjoyable listening experience. Proof that quality hi-fi needn't cost the earth.”
