Dual CS 418 Manual Turntable, Black

The Dual CS 418 is a manual turntable with a factory-mounted Ortofon 2M Red, built for anyone who'd rather guide the tonearm themselves than let an automatic mechanism decide.

Why the CS 418?

Placing the needle manually isn't a step backward — for many, it's the actual appeal of the vinyl ritual: choosing the record, setting the tonearm down yourself, lifting it off yourself at the end. The CS 418 doesn't turn that into a purism statement; it simply delivers solid technology for it — including the same 2M Red found in the series' automatic models.

What you hear and get

The 2M Red tracks clearly and in a balanced way, without reaching the fine detail of pricier 2M variants — but noticeably more assured than the entry-level systems on other decks in this price class. The heavy aluminum platter with rubber mat keeps rotation steady.

Who is the CS 418 suited for? (and who isn't it for — let's be direct)

For anyone who appreciates manual placement as part of the listening experience and doesn't need automation. Honestly: if you often fall asleep in the evening before the record finishes, go for the CS 429 instead — it lifts off by itself.

Our verdict

Honest, unfussy technology without an automation premium. If you know you want to place the needle manually, you get a thoroughly coherent deck here.

Technical data

• Dimensions (lid closed): 435 × 367 × 145 mm
• Weight: 5.8 kg
• Drive: belt drive, DC motor, vibration-damped suspension
• Speeds: 33 / 45 / 78 rpm (rotary switch)
• Wow and flutter: < ±0.1% (DIN)
• Tonearm: straight, weight-balanced, ball-bearing mounted, effective length 221.5 mm, continuously variable anti-skating
• Cartridge: Ortofon 2M Red (pre-mounted)
• Platter: die-cast aluminum, Ø 305 mm, 2.5 mm rubber mat, 850 g with mat
• Output: phono and line-level input (RCA)
• Phono preamp: built in, switchable (MM)
• Operation: manual, no auto-stop
• Dust cover: yes, removable

Frequently asked questions

Is the Dual CS 418 a manual or automatic turntable?

Manual. You place the tonearm yourself and lift it off again at the end of the side. There's no auto-stop, but you get full control over every placement.

Which cartridge is fitted on the CS 418?

An Ortofon 2M Red, factory-adjusted — the same one used in the CS 429 and CS 529 BT, just without the full automation and Bluetooth around it.

Does the CS 418 need an external phono preamp?

No, a switchable MM phono preamp is built in. You can either use it or disable it if your amplifier already has its own phono input.

Who isn't the CS 418 the right choice for?

For anyone who'd rather place the needle and not worry about lifting it off — that's what the fully automatic CS 429 with the same cartridge is for.

Why buy the Dual CS 418 at HD Zürisee?

Because our team has spent decades answering exactly the question that matters here: manual or automatic, and what that means for your own listening evenings. Call us — we advise honestly instead of just selling.

Goes well with

An integrated amplifier with its own phono input, or an integrated amplifier with a free line input (if you use the built-in preamp), fits perfectly here — we're happy to show you the right combination from our selection.