DUAL CS 518 Manual HiFi Turntable

Description

About the DUAL CS 518 Manual HiFi Turntable

At Rapallo, the Dual CS 518 is one of those turntables that instantly appeals to vinyl purists.

Its manual operation allows you to fully engage with the record-playing experience, while the carefully engineered belt-drive system and precision tonearm ensure excellent sound quality and musical detail.

What we particularly like is the balance between classic design and modern performance. The CS 518 feels solid, refined and musical, delivering the warmth and depth that vinyl lovers are looking for. Paired with a quality amplifier and speakers, it becomes the heart of a fantastic two-channel Hi-Fi system.

Designed for music lovers who appreciate a traditional Hi-Fi approach to vinyl, the CS 518 offers excellent speed stability, refined tracking performance and premium construction, making it a superb centrepiece for a dedicated stereo system.

Even better, the Dual CS 518 is currently on demo at Rapallo, so you can visit the showroom and hear its performance for yourself before purchasing.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is the Dual CS 518 fully automatic?
   No. The CS 518 is a manual turntable, meaning you manually place and return the tonearm.
2. Does the Dual CS 518 include a cartridge?
   Yes. It comes with a factory-installed moving magnet cartridge ready for playback.
3. Does the CS 518 have a built-in phono preamp?
   Yes. It includes a switchable phono stage, allowing connection to line-level inputs.
4. What record speeds does the Dual CS 518 support?
   The turntable supports 33⅓ and 45 RPM records.
5. Can I hear the Dual CS 518 before buying?
   Yes. The Dual CS 518 is currently on demo at Rapallo, so you can experience its performance in person.

What the Experts Say

• Dual’s CS series turntables are widely respected for their precision engineering, solid build quality and engaging analogue sound, making them a trusted choice among vinyl enthusiasts worldwide.
• “The CS 518 is not inexpensive, but the workmanship and the sound it produces make it easily worth the asking price. It’s easy to set up, it offers fine sound quality, it’s well constructed, and it looks good doing its part….”  View SoundStage! Review >>
• “As is clear, this Dual has plenty of tough competition. But it’s well priced and sonically talented enough to be a viable alternative to the best at the price. It’s so pleasing to be able to say that about a Dual turntable again.….”  View What Hi-Fi! Review >>

Features

Ideal For

• Dedicated two-channel Hi-Fi systems

• Vinyl enthusiasts wanting manual control

• High-quality home audio systems

Manual HiFi Operation

The manual tonearm design provides full control over record playback and delivers a traditional vinyl listening experience.

Precision Belt-Drive Motor

The belt-drive system isolates the platter from motor vibration, improving playback stability and reducing unwanted noise.

High-Mass Aluminium Platter

A precision aluminium platter provides excellent rotational stability and helps minimise resonance during playback.

High-Quality Tonearm

The balanced tonearm ensures accurate cartridge tracking, preserving the detail and dynamics of vinyl recordings.

Electronic Speed Selection

Simple switching between 33⅓ and 45 RPM speeds for convenient playback of most vinyl records.

Premium Build Quality

Solid construction and precision engineering ensure reliable performance and long-term durability.

Cartridge details

• Model: Ortofon 2M Red
• Type: Moving Magnet (MM)
• Stylus: Bonded elliptical diamond
• Output: ~5.5 mV
• Sound character: Open, dynamic, slightly warm with strong midrange clarity.

The 2M Red is one of the most popular cartridges in its class and is widely used on mid-range audiophile turntables because it delivers a lively, detailed sound while remaining easy to set up and upgrade later.

✔ One nice feature of the CS 518 is that the headshell is removable, so you can upgrade the cartridge in the future if you want to step up to models like Ortofon 2M Blue or Bronze.

Specifications

Brand: Dual
Model: CS 518
Product Type: Manual HiFi Turntable

Drive System: Belt drive
Operation: Manual

Speeds:

• 33⅓ RPM
• 45 RPM

Cartridge: Factory-installed moving magnet cartridge

Phono Stage: Built-in switchable phono preamp

Platter: Precision aluminium platter

Tonearm: Balanced straight tonearm

Outputs:

• RCA line output
• Ground terminal

Dimensions: approx. 435 × 367 × 145 mm
Weight: approx. 6 kg

MPN: CS518
SKU: Dual-CS518

EAN / UPC / GTIN: 4260136676301

Why Buy From Rapallo

✔ New Zealand Hi-Fi specialists since 2005
✔ Authorised Dual dealer with genuine products and full manufacturer warranty
✔ Expert advice on turntable setup and system matching
✔ In-store demo available so you can hear it before you buy
✔ Free NZ shipping on orders over $299