Dual CS 418
Dual CS 418 belt-drive turntable, three speeds, built-in MM phono preamp and Ortofon 2M Red cartridge, for analogue listening ready to plug into any amplifier.
Description
The CS 418 is a belt-drive turntable from the German manufacturer Dual, designed to be operational as soon as it is set up: the Ortofon 2M Red moving-magnet cartridge is supplied with the unit and an MM phono stage is housed within the chassis. It covers the three historic rotation speeds, 33, 45 and 78 rpm, allowing it to handle both contemporary records and older pressings.
The platter, made of MDF, measures 30 cm in diameter and receives its movement from a belt connected to a low-vibration DC servomotor. This motor is controlled by an electronic circuit tasked with maintaining constant speed: the principle involves mechanically decoupling the platter drive while retaining active control of rotation. The straight, aluminium tonearm, mounted on ball bearings, has an effective length of 230 mm, a usable stroke of 220 mm and a tracking angle of 20°. Its settings are user-accessible: tracking force adjustable from 1.6 to 2.0 g and anti-skate adjustable from 0 to 3.5 g, a range well suited to common MM cartridges.
The presence of the built-in MM phono preamplifier changes how the turntable can be connected. It can be linked to a conventional phono input or, with the preamp activated, to a simple line input: an integrated amplifier without a dedicated input, an active speaker or a compact system will then suffice. This is a choice aimed at the enthusiast wishing to listen to their records without multiplying the number of components, while keeping a mechanical base that could later be upgraded with another moving-magnet cartridge.
Technical specifications
| Drive | Belt-drive |
| Motor | Low-vibration DC servomotor |
| Speed control | Electronic |
| Rotation speeds | 33, 45 and 78 rpm |
| Platter | MDF, 30 cm diameter |
| Tonearm | Straight, aluminium, ball bearings |
| Effective tonearm length | 230 mm |
| Usable stroke | 220 mm |
| Tracking angle | 20° |
| Tracking force | 1.6 g - 2.0 g |
| Anti skate | 0 - 3.5 g |
| Cartridge supplied | Ortofon 2M Red (MM) |
| Phono preamplifier | Built-in MM, phono or line output |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) | 50.8 x 44.5 x 22.9 cm |
| Weight | 5.2 kg |
What to check before buying used
With dimensions of 50.8 x 44.5 x 22.9 cm and a weight of 5.2 kg, it requires a stable, clear surface, with height clearance to allow for the dust cover. When buying used, a few checks are specific to this type of turntable. The belt is a wear item: it stretches and hardens over time, resulting in unstable speed or sluggish start-up, replacement remains straightforward. Check the condition of the 2M Red stylus, whose lifespan is limited in playing hours, as well as the cleanliness of the cartridge mount and its contacts. Check that the tonearm ball bearings show no lateral play or stiff spots, that the graduated counterweight allows the 1.6 – 2.0 g range to be reached, and that the anti-skate dial turns freely across its full range. Finally, test the built-in phono preamp switching and listen to both main speeds on a familiar record, as slight wow would indicate the belt or platter bearing needs attention.
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