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Dual CS 718Q
Reference manual with precision engineering and leading autolift comfort
The 7 Series shaped an entire era of high-quality hi-fi culture. Its reliability, durability and outstanding sound fidelity made it an icon in turntable history. We continue this tradition today with the CS 718Q.
Even in the latest generation, uncompromising quality and technical sophistication take centre stage:
Precise direct drive with ironless coils Massless tracking force for maximum tracking reliability Height & Azimuth-adjustable tonearm for optimum adjustment
A piece of history – developed to lead into the future.
Plinth:
- Satin black finish or real walnut wood veneer
- Optimized, switchable auto-stop function
- Height-adjustable feet with resonance absorbers
Platter:
- Full-surface rubber coating on the underside
- Precision die-cast construction with 1.9 kg
- Heavy Dual mat for resonance damping
Tonearm:
- Precise height adjustment via rotary mechanism
- Finely adjustable tracking force via spiral spring
- Automatic tonearm lift
- Precision-machined headshell with azimuth clamp
Drive:
- Quartz-stabilized speed control for 33 / 45 / 78 rpm
- Wow and flutter values of 0.05% DIN
- No vibration due to ironless air-core coils
- Double shielding against magnetic interference fields
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Professional Reviews 89/100
Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
90/100
Build Quality
85/100
Features Usability
91/100
Value for Money
86/100
The CS 718Q combines direct-drive stability with a richly colorful, musical presentation, delivering composed structure without sacrificing vinyl’s expressive warmth. Its sophisticated, adjustable tonearm, removable headshell and 78rpm capability make it a flexible enthusiast deck, while auto-stop and tonearm lift add welcome everyday polish. Stereo Magazine finds it a versatile, accomplished return to form.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Well-organized, richly colorful and musical sound presentation.
Sophisticated tonearm technology complements the direct-drive design.
Versatile manual turntable with a positive value verdict at around €2,500.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 90/100
Stereo Magazine describes a well-organized, richly colorful and musical presentation, pointing to an engaging and composed source overall. The review also highlights the combination of direct drive and sophisticated tonearm technology, while offering no reported concerns about pitch, tracking or noise.
Overall Sound
92/100
Stereo Magazine calls the presentation well-organized, richly colorful and musical. That language suggests a source that combines clear musical structure with tonal vibrancy and strong listener involvement.
Speed Stability
94/100
The direct-drive system supports 33, 45 and 78rpm playback, with specified wow and flutter below ±0.05% DIN WTD. No pitch instability or speed-related criticism is reported in the review.
Tonearm Performance
89/100
Stereo Magazine specifically pairs the deck's musical result with its sophisticated tonearm technology. The height-adjustable twin-gimbal arm, removable azimuth-adjustable headshell and broad cartridge-weight compatibility make it a flexible platform for careful cartridge matching.
Noise Isolation
82/100
The review does not comment directly on motor noise, rumble, acoustic feedback or footfall behaviour. The deck uses elastomer-damped, height-adjustable feet and a rubber mat, but its real-world isolation performance is not discussed.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
85/100
The CS 718Q has a substantial 2.2kg aluminium die-cast platter, hardened-steel-and-brass bearing, carbon-aluminium tonearm tube and 10kg overall mass. Its specified materials and adjustable damping hardware indicate a thoughtfully engineered, solidly equipped chassis, though the review provides little direct comment on finish or long-term durability.
Features Usability
91/100
This is unusually accommodating for a serious manual-oriented deck: it offers electronic 33/45/78 selection, auto-stop with automatic tonearm lift, adjustable arm height and a removable headshell. RCA and XLR outputs add welcome system flexibility, although there is no built-in phono stage or supplied cartridge.
Value for Money
86/100
At around €2,500, Stereo Magazine considers it a versatile turntable that lives up to Dual's longstanding reputation. The review does not make a detailed comparison with competing decks at this price, so its value case is more implied by the positive verdict than explicitly examined.
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Authorized dealers for Dual CS 718Q
- Acoustic Technologies — online and in-store — Montréal, Québec, Canada (website)
- Acoustica — online and in-store — Chester, England, United Kingdom (website)
- AES — in-store — Mitte, Hessen, Germany (website)
- Akoustiki Kritis — online and in-store — Glifada, Greece (website)
- All Elite Audio — online and in-store — Perry Hall, Maryland, United States (website)
- American Audio & Video — in-store — Southaven, Mississippi, United States (website)
- Analogue Seduction — online and in-store — Whittlesey, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Art et son — online and in-store — Montréal, Québec, Canada (website)
- AUDIO 2000 — in-store — Wuppertal, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany (website)
- Audio Advice — online and in-store — Raleigh, North Carolina, United States (website)
and 88 more verified dealers