Top Rating of "Five Stars" - What Hi-Fi? Magazine
Quality Affordable Turntable with Twin Gimbal Tonearm, Built-in Preamp, and Ortofon Cartridge
For the true vinyl enthusiast, the Dual CS 518 turntable is equipped with a sophisticated twin gimbal tonearm design using pivot ball-bearings for optimal precision. This superior tonearm has the ability to guide even high-end cartridges through your record grooves with the greatest degree of precision and reliability.
Included with the CS 518 is an Ortofon 2M Red MM phono cartridge and a switchable MM-phono preamplifier, making this 'table ready-to-run after easy set-up. A hinged dust cover completes the package.
"Priced to Be Heard"
England's What Hi-fi? magazine gave the CS 518 its top rating of Five Stars, for reasons of "dynamic and expressive sound, good level of insight, easy to set up and use… It’s well priced and sonically talented enough to be a viable alternative to the best at the price."
"Priced to be heard," proclaims Michael Fremer's analogplanet.com review for November 22, 2021. "The 'star' of the show here is the twin-gimbal ball-bearing tonearm, which though I have no way of measuring, has a precise 'feel' and sounded so, as well negotiating tough to track records especially on vocal sibilants. The servo-controlled adjustable 3 speed D.C. motor is also a stand-out feature."
"Easily Worth the Asking Price"
"The CS 518 is not inexpensive, but the workmanship and the sound it produces make it easily worth the asking price," notes Thom Moon, soundstageaccess.com, November 1, 2021. "It’s easy to set up, it offers fine sound quality, it’s well constructed, and it looks good doing its part. If you’re in the market for a turntable in this price range… give the Dual CS 518 a very close look. I’m betting you won’t regret it."
"Another pleasant chapter is added to the glorious history of Dual turntables with this device," writes Michael Lang, stereo-magazine.com, October 7, 2021.
Twin Gimbal Tonearm and Precision Platter
The CS 518 boasts a straight, statically balanced tonearm with an advanced twin gimbal design. Four precision pivot ball-bearings provide smooth and accurate tracking. The adjustable tonearm features provide 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 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.
Selectable Electronic Speed Control
A turntable as easy to use as the CS 518 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.
MM Phono Preamplifier Built-in
There is no obligation to use an outboard phono preamplifier with CS 518. This turntable comes with a built-in phono preamplifier. 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.
Factory Installed 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.”
