Dual CS 618Q

A direct-drive turntable with built-in phono preamp and factory-installed Ortofon cartridge

Overview

The Dual CS 618Q is a semi-automatic turntable from Dual. It uses a quartz-controlled direct-drive system for stable rotation and low noise. It ships with a factory-installed Ortofon 2M Blue MM phono cartridge and has a built-in MM phono preamp, so it connects straight to line-level inputs. Finishes are walnut veneer, vinyl black, and gloss black. A hinged dust cover is included.

Specifications

Drive type	direct-drive
Cartridge	factory-installed Ortofon 2M Blue MM phono cartridge
Phono preamp	built-in MM phono preamp
Dust cover	hinged dust cover
Finishes available	Walnut veneer, Vinyl black or Gloss black finishes
Platter	heavy die-cast aluminium platter
Feet	elastomer-damped feet
Plinth	MDF plinth
Bearing	hardened steel spindle and brass bushing integrated into the direct-drive

Design

The CS 618Q uses quartz direct drive for speed control. It also has coreless inductors and a directly coupled design to reduce distortion. The bearing assembly puts a hardened steel spindle and a brass bushing into the direct-drive mechanism, which keeps rumble down. The chassis is an MDF plinth sitting on elastomer-damped feet, which isolate the turntable from outside vibration.

Context

Dual's service documentation lists the CS 618Q alongside the CS 418, CS 518, CS 329, CS 429, and CS 529, so it sits in a broader turntable lineup. It is described as an upgrade from entry-level turntables, with a "no fuss, no hassle" design that keeps performance high. The built-in phono preamp is confirmed to match the quality of the included Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge.

Market

The original MSRP is reported as $1,599.00 (hifiheaven.net), though another report gives $1,099.99 (SoundStageAccess). Current prices are $1,099.99 for a refurbished gloss black unit and $1,499.00 for a walnut finish (hifiheaven.net). The turntable comes with a five-year warranty covering parts and labor (SoundStageAccess).