Dual CS 518 Belt Drive Turntable Black

The Dual CS 518 is the middle model in Dual’s manual turntable range, sitting between the entry-level CS 418 and the premium CS 618Q. Where the CS 418 offers a simpler specification, the CS 518 steps up with a twin gimbal tonearm running on four pivot ball bearings and a factory-installed Ortofon 2M Red moving magnet cartridge — a combination that places it firmly in the mid-range for manual belt drive turntables intended for use within traditional stereo hi-fi systems.

Drive System and Platter

The CS 518 uses a belt drive system powered by a rubber-mounted DC motor. The rubber mounting decouples the motor from the plinth, reducing the transmission of motor vibration to the platter and tonearm assembly. The precision-cut belt is designed to minimise wow and flutter, which Dual rates at less than ±0.1% to the DIN standard.

The platter is a 305mm aluminium die-cast unit weighing 850g including the 2.5mm rubber mat. The main bearing uses a hardened steel spindle running in a brass bushing — a conventional arrangement that provides stable, low-friction rotation. Three speed settings are available: 33⅓, 45 and 78 RPM, making the CS 518 one of relatively few current turntables to support 78 RPM shellac playback.

Tonearm

The tonearm is a statically balanced design mounted in a twin gimbal bearing assembly using four pivot ball bearings. This classic Dual tonearm geometry allows precise tracking across the record surface. The effective length is 221.5mm with an offset angle of 25.6° and 19mm overhang. Tracking force is adjustable from 0 to 4g, accommodating cartridges weighing between 5 and 9g.

Anti-skating is managed by a spring-loaded mechanism with stepless adjustment via a rotary knob. The headshell is removable, allowing straightforward cartridge changes without disturbing the tonearm setup.

Cartridge and Phono Stage

The CS 518 ships with an Ortofon 2M Red cartridge factory-installed. The 2M Red is a well-regarded moving magnet design with an elliptical stylus, widely used as an entry point to the Ortofon 2M series. Having the cartridge pre-fitted means the turntable requires only platter fitting, counterweight balancing and bias adjustment before use.

A switchable MM phono preamplifier is built in, selectable via a Phono/Line switch on the rear panel. In Phono mode the signal bypasses the internal preamp and connects to an external phono stage; in Line mode the built-in preamp is active, allowing direct connection to any line-level input. This makes the CS 518 compatible with systems that lack a dedicated phono input.

Construction

The plinth is solid MDF finished in black vinyl veneer. Four elastomer feet (Ø62mm) provide vibration isolation from the supporting surface. A hinged dust cover is included. The external AC/DC power supply keeps the transformer out of the plinth, reducing the potential for electrical interference near the cartridge.

What the Press Says

• “This Dual is easy to use, has a built-in phono stage and sounds great.” — What Hi-Fi? ★★★★★ (September 2022)