Dual CS 329 Fully Automatic Turntable, Black

The Dual CS 329 is a fully automatic turntable with a pre-fitted Audio-Technica AT91, letting beginners jump into the vinyl hobby without any fiddling.

Why the CS 329?

Anyone buying their first own deck wants one thing above all: to put a record on and listen, without first completing a course in cartridge alignment. That's exactly what the CS 329 delivers – the cartridge is aligned at the factory, the phono preamp is already built in, and the fully automatic mechanism lifts the tonearm on its own at the end of the record. Charmingly down-to-earth: Dual has been doing exactly what the brand specializes in for decades.

What you hear and get

The AT91 tracks vinyl solidly and in a balanced way, without harshness in the treble – an honest all-rounder for pop, rock and your parents' first jazz records off the shelf. The combination of aluminium platter and rubber mat noticeably dampens footstep noise, so even a wooden floor in an older apartment doesn't immediately become a problem.

Who is the CS 329 suited for? (and who isn't it for — bluntly)

Ideal as an entry point for a compact system, a small integrated amplifier or active bookshelf speakers. If you already own an ambitious chain, or want to specifically invest in better cartridge sound, you go one level up – say to the CS 429 or CS 518. And if you absolutely want to play 78 rpm shellac records too: the third speed is missing here, the CS 329 simply can't do that.

Our verdict

The CS 329 is exactly what a solid entry-level turntable should be: uncomplicated, cleanly built, with no hidden extra costs for a phono preamp or cartridge tuning. If you want more, you already know the next step in the Dual range.

Technical data

• Dimensions (lid closed): 435 × 372 × 132 mm
• Weight: 5.0 kg
• Drive: belt drive, DC motor
• Speeds: 33 / 45 rpm
• Wow and flutter: < ±0.12 % (DIN)
• Tonearm: ball-bearing mounted, effective length 221.5 mm, tracking force 1.8 g
• Cartridge: Audio-Technica AT91 (pre-fitted)
• Platter: die-cast aluminium, Ø 296 mm, 2.5 mm rubber mat
• Connection: phono/line (fixed RCA cable)
• Phono preamp: built in, switchable
• Dust cover: yes
• Included: dust cover, platter with belt, rubber mat, 2 hinges, centring puck, plug-in power supply, instructions

Frequently asked questions

Does the Dual CS 329 need an external phono preamp?

No. The CS 329 has a switchable phono preamp built in. So you can connect it directly to an aux input or active speakers, no separate phono input is needed.

Which speeds does the CS 329 play?

33 and 45 rpm, switchable directly on the unit. It's not designed for 78 rpm shellac records, for that you need a model like the CS 429 or CS 618Q.

Is the cartridge already fitted on the CS 329?

Yes, the Audio-Technica AT91 is aligned and fitted at the factory. You unpack it, set the tracking weight and put on your first record.

Who isn't the CS 329 the right choice for?

For anyone who already owns a well-developed system and wants the maximum in sound. A CS 429 or CS 518 with a higher-quality cartridge is more worthwhile there.

Why buy the Dual CS 329 from HD Zürisee?

Because we've been setting up turntables in Wädenswil since 1997 and know what matters in alignment. We advise you on amplifier and speaker combinations and, if needed, set up the unit correctly for you right away.

Goes well with

For your first own sound system, a compact integrated amplifier or a pair of active bookshelf speakers from our range fits well – take a look around our integrated amplifier and bookshelf speaker collections, or let us advise you on a complete entry-level combination.