If you are just stepping into the world of high-end audio, the names and numbers can feel like a foreign language. This guide is here to change that. We are going to walk through the Dual CS 718Q turntable in plain, friendly English, so you understand exactly what it is, what every part does, and whether it is the right fit for you. No pressure, no jargon left unexplained.
What is the Dual CS 718Q?
The Dual CS 718Q is a turntable, the machine that plays vinyl records. It spins your record at a steady speed while a needle traces the grooves and turns those tiny wiggles into music. That is the whole job of a turntable, and this one is built to do it with precision and care.
It is made by Dual, a German company that has been building record players since 1907. That is well over a century of experience in one product category, which matters because turntables are mechanical instruments where small details in engineering make a real difference in how your records sound.
Where does it fit in my audio system?
The turntable is the starting point of your music chain. In a typical setup, the signal flows from the turntable, into a phono preamp (more on that below), then into an amplifier, and finally out to your speakers. The CS 718Q is the source, the very first link where the sound is created.
Because it sits at the front of the chain, the quality of the turntable sets the ceiling for everything that follows. A great amplifier and great speakers cannot add back detail that a turntable failed to capture in the first place. That is why serious listeners invest in a good deck.
How the Dual CS 718Q Works
What does "direct drive" mean, and why should I care?
Direct drive means the motor sits directly beneath the platter (the round disc your record rests on) and turns it without any belt in between. Some turntables use a rubber belt to connect the motor to the platter, but here the connection is direct.
In day to day listening, the benefit of direct drive is strong, consistent speed. The motor has firm control over the platter, so it gets up to speed quickly and holds that speed steadily. Steady speed matters because any wavering shows up as a subtle warble in the pitch of the music, especially on sustained piano or vocal notes. Direct drive is prized for keeping that pitch rock solid.
What speeds does it play, and which records do those cover?
The CS 718Q plays at 33 1/3 and 45 RPM, which covers the vast majority of vinyl you will ever own. RPM stands for revolutions per minute, meaning how many times the platter spins each minute.
Standard full length albums (the twelve inch LPs) play at 33 1/3 RPM. Most singles and many audiophile reissues play at 45 RPM, which spins faster and can hold more detail. Having both speeds built in means you are ready for almost anything in a typical record collection.
What is the tonearm made of, and why does that matter?
The tonearm is the pivoting arm that holds the needle and swings across the record as it plays. On the CS 718Q it is built from a carbon-aluminium sandwich, meaning layers of carbon and aluminium bonded together, with what Dual calls precision dynamic balance.
Here is why that matters. The tonearm needs to be light enough to respond to the tiny movements in the groove, yet stiff enough that it does not flex or vibrate on its own. Combining carbon and aluminium gives you both qualities at once, stiffness without excess weight. Precision dynamic balance means the arm is carefully counterweighted so the needle sits in the groove with exactly the right pressure. The result is cleaner tracking and less distortion, which you hear as a more relaxed, detailed sound.
What is the headshell, and what does "removable and azimuth adjustable" mean?
The headshell is the small fitting at the end of the tonearm where your cartridge (the part that holds the needle) attaches. On the CS 718Q it is removable, so you can take it off to swap cartridges easily without disturbing the whole arm.
Azimuth adjustable is a helpful feature for getting the best sound. Azimuth refers to the tilt of the needle from side to side. Ideally the needle should sit perfectly upright in the groove. Being able to adjust azimuth lets you fine tune that tilt so both the left and right channels are read evenly, giving you a balanced, properly focused stereo image. This is the kind of adjustment that enthusiasts appreciate as they grow into the hobby.
What You Need to Add
Does it come with a cartridge?
No, the CS 718Q does not include a cartridge, so you supply your own. The cartridge is the component that actually reads the groove, and it contains the stylus (the needle).
While buying a cartridge separately is one more step, it is genuinely a good thing here. It means you get to choose a cartridge that matches your taste and your budget, and you can upgrade it later as your ears develop. The removable, azimuth adjustable headshell makes fitting and adjusting that cartridge much friendlier than on many turntables.
Does it have a built in phono preamp?
No, the CS 718Q does not have a built in phono preamp, so you will need one somewhere in your system. A phono preamp is a small but important stage that boosts the very quiet signal from the cartridge up to a level your amplifier can use, and it also applies a standard correction curve so records sound the way they should.
Many amplifiers and receivers already include a phono input, in which case you are set. If yours does not, you simply add a separate phono preamp between the turntable and the amplifier. Leaving the phono stage out of the turntable is a common choice on serious decks, because it lets you pick a phono stage that suits your goals rather than being locked into a built in one.
How do I connect it to the rest of my system?
The CS 718Q offers two types of output, RCA (unbalanced) and XLR (balanced). Outputs are simply the sockets where the audio signal leaves the turntable on its way to your preamp or amplifier.
RCA connections are the familiar red and white plugs found on most home audio gear, so they will connect to almost any system. XLR connections are a balanced type of cable, often used in higher end and professional setups, and they are especially good at rejecting noise over longer cable runs. Having both means the CS 718Q can slot neatly into a simple system today and still be ready for a more advanced one down the road.
Why Dual Build Quality Matters
What makes Dual a name worth trusting?
Dual has been designing and building turntables in Germany since 1907, and that long focus shows in how their machines are engineered. Turntables are precision mechanical devices, and experience with motors, bearings, and tonearms is not something you can shortcut.
You can see that heritage in the thoughtful choices on the CS 718Q, from the direct drive system that keeps speed steady, to the carbon-aluminium tonearm, to the flexible connection options. These are the details that reward you every time you sit down to listen, and they are the reason a well built turntable can stay with you for many years.
Who Is the Dual CS 718Q For?
Is this the right turntable for me?
The CS 718Q suits someone who is serious about vinyl and wants a turntable they can grow with rather than outgrow. If you enjoy the idea of choosing your own cartridge, making small adjustments to dial in the sound, and connecting to a proper amplifier and speakers, this deck gives you room to explore.
It is a natural choice for a newcomer who is ready to move beyond an all in one player and step into real high-end audio, as well as for experienced listeners who value direct drive precision and flexible connections. If you want a turntable that respects your records and your growing curiosity, the Dual CS 718Q is a welcoming place to plant your flag.