Dual CS718Q Overview
Dual has been building turntables in Germany since 1907, and the Dual CS718Q represents the company at its most ambitious. This is a direct drive deck designed for the listener who wants a serious, long term analog foundation and who plans to choose their own cartridge to match their taste and system. It is a purposeful machine, and understanding its design goals makes it much easier to decide whether it is the right heart for your setup.
What the Direct Drive Design Brings
The CS718Q uses a direct drive motor system, which means the platter is driven directly by the motor rather than through a belt. This design goal prioritizes consistent speed stability and immediate start up, running at both 33 1/3 and 45 RPM. Direct drive is a longstanding hallmark of engineering focused turntables, and Dual has applied it here in service of a stable, confident presentation.
Design Highlights That Set the CS718Q Apart
The Carbon Aluminium Tonearm
At the center of the CS718Q is a carbon aluminium sandwich tonearm with precision dynamic balance. This construction goal blends the rigidity of aluminium with the resonance control and light weight of carbon, giving the arm the composure to track detailed grooves while keeping unwanted vibration in check. It is the kind of tonearm that rewards a carefully chosen cartridge.
Removable, Azimuth Adjustable Headshell
The removable headshell is azimuth adjustable, which is a meaningful feature for the enthusiast who wants to dial in a cartridge precisely. Azimuth adjustment lets you set the stylus perpendicular to the record surface, which supports clean channel separation and accurate imaging. The removable design also makes cartridge swaps and experimentation far more convenient.
Balanced XLR and Unbalanced RCA Outputs
One of the defining traits of the CS718Q is its dual output arrangement. Alongside standard RCA unbalanced connections, it offers true XLR balanced output. Balanced connection can help preserve the low level phono signal over the run to your electronics, and it opens the door to pairing with phono stages that offer balanced inputs. This flexibility is a big part of what places the CS718Q at the top of its family.
Bring Your Own Cartridge
The CS718Q ships without a cartridge, and that is by design. This is a deck for the listener who wants to select a cartridge that fits their preferences rather than accept a factory choice. There is also no built in phono preamp, so you will pair it with an external phono stage. Both of these choices reflect the intent of a component built to be tailored rather than plug and play.
Where the CS718Q Sits in the Dual Range
Within the Dual CS family, the CS718Q sits at the flagship end. If you are exploring the range, the Dual CS429, Dual CS518 and Dual CS529 offer more approachable entry points into the Dual philosophy, each with its own balance of features and convenience. The Dual CS618Q is the natural step down within the Q line, sharing the enthusiast minded spirit while the CS718Q extends the concept with its balanced output and refined tonearm assembly. Within this same range, the higher CS718Q legitimately offers a more comprehensive feature set for the listener who wants to grow into a reference level analog front end.
The Ideal System and Use Case
The CS718Q is at home in a considered, component based system where every link is chosen deliberately. It suits the listener who values precise setup, who has an amplifier or phono stage worthy of a careful cartridge, and who enjoys the process of tuning their sound. Because it offers balanced output, it is especially rewarding in systems that can take advantage of that connection.
Cartridge Pairing Thoughts
Since you supply the cartridge, this is where you shape the character of the deck. Moving coil designs are a natural match for a tonearm of this caliber. The Ortofon MC Cadenza Blue is a wonderful place to start for detailed, refined playback, while the Ortofon MC Cadenza Bronze and Ortofon MC Cadenza Black reach further into nuance and low level resolution for those building toward a reference system. The Audio Technica AT-ART20 Dual Moving Coil is another expressive option with its own tonal signature, and the azimuth adjustable headshell makes each of these easy to optimize.
Phono Stage Pairing Thoughts
Because the CS718Q has no built in phono preamp, the phono stage is an essential partner. To take advantage of the balanced output, consider the MoFi Electronics MasterPhono MM/MC Phonostage for its flexible loading and versatility. The Parasound JC3+, also available in a silver limited edition, is a highly regarded moving coil capable stage that complements the resolving nature of this deck beautifully.
How It Compares to Other Turntables
If you are weighing your options across brands, it helps to think in terms of design intent rather than ranking. The Thorens TD 403 DD is another direct drive design for those drawn to Thorens engineering, while the Thorens TD 1500 takes a sub chassis belt drive approach for listeners who prefer that isolation philosophy. The TEAC Audio TN-5BB is a manual belt drive deck that also offers balanced output for those exploring that path from a different design angle. The Audio-Technica AT-LPA2 appeals to the purist who wants a fully manual belt drive experience, and the MoFi Electronics PrecisionDeck Fender Limited Edition is a distinctive statement piece for the collector. The CS718Q distinguishes itself with its combination of direct drive, carbon aluminium tonearm and balanced output, all carrying the Dual lineage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Dual CS718Q best suited to?
The CS718Q is at home in a considered, component based system where every link is chosen deliberately. It suits the listener who values precise setup, who has an amplifier or phono stage worthy of a careful cartridge, and who enjoys the process of tuning their sound. Because it offers balanced output, it is especially rewarding in systems that can take advantage of that connection.
What should I pair with the Dual CS718Q?
Because the CS718Q has no built in phono preamp, the phono stage is an essential partner. To take advantage of the balanced output, consider the MoFi Electronics MasterPhono MM/MC Phonostage for its flexible loading and versatility. The Parasound JC3+ , also available in a silver limited edition , is a highly regarded moving coil capable stage that complements the resolving nature of this deck beautifully.
How does the Dual CS718Q compare to the alternatives?
If you are weighing your options across brands, it helps to think in terms of design intent rather than ranking. The Thorens TD 403 DD is another direct drive design for those drawn to Thorens engineering, while the Thorens TD 1500 takes a sub chassis belt drive approach for listeners who prefer that isolation philosophy.
Come Hear It for Yourself
All Elite Audio is an authorized Dual dealer with a showroom in Timonium, Maryland. Our demo units rotate and not every model is always set up on the floor, so we invite you to contact us so we can arrange a listen and help you build the right system around the Dual CS718Q.