Dual CS 618Q Semi-Automatic Turntable, Walnut

The Dual CS 618Q Walnut is the wood-veneer version of the semi-automatic direct-drive turntable with Ortofon 2M Blue — technically identical to the black and gloss variants, with walnut veneer instead of lacquer.

Why the CS 618Q in walnut?

Direct drive, selectable semi-automation, Ortofon 2M Blue — the complete technology stays unchanged. The walnut veneer simply replaces the black lacquer and thereby blends noticeably more unobtrusively into wood-accented living rooms.

What you hear and get

Sonically exactly like the black variants: quartz-stable direct drive, fine-resolving 2M Blue, clean channel separation. The wood look changes nothing about the sound.

Who is the CS 618Q Walnut suited for? (and who isn't it for — let's be direct)

For anyone who prefers solid wood furniture or warm tones in the living room. With purely black-and-white or modern interiors, matte black or gloss look more coherent.

Our verdict

Same direct-drive technology, warmer look — a matter of interior design, not sound.

Technical data

• Dimensions (lid closed): 435 × 367 × 145 mm
• Weight: 7.0 kg
• Drive: direct drive, brushless DC motor, quartz-stable speed control, ironless coils
• Speeds: 33 / 45 / 78 rpm
• Wow and flutter: < ±0.07% (DIN)
• Tonearm: fully gimbaled, 4 pivot ball bearings, effective length 221.5 mm, offset angle 25.6°, automatic lift
• Cartridge: Ortofon 2M Blue (pre-mounted)
• Platter: die-cast aluminum, Ø 305 mm, 1450 g with mat
• Operation: selectable — purely manual or semi-automatic with end-of-record shutoff and auto-lift
• Output: Phono/Line switchable (RCA)
• Phono preamp: built in, switchable
• Dust cover: yes, removable
• Included: dust cover with hinges, platter with mat, tonearm headshell pre-mounted with 2M Blue, centering puck, counterweight, RCA stereo cable, plug-in power supply

Frequently asked questions

Is the Dual CS 618Q manual or automatic?

Both — you choose. Purely manual without end-of-record shutoff, or semi-automatic with end-of-record shutoff and automatic tonearm lift. You set this on the deck itself.

What does direct drive get you over belt drive?

The brushless direct drive controls speed quartz-stably and responds practically without delay to load fluctuations. That shows up above all in very consistent wow and flutter (< ±0.07%), noticeably below the belt drive of the CS-4xx/5xx range.

Which cartridge is fitted on the CS 618Q?

An Ortofon 2M Blue, one step above the 2M Red of the smaller models — finer stylus-tip geometry, more detail resolution, and channel separation.

Who isn't the CS 618Q worth it for?

For anyone already happy with the 2M Red and belt drive — the premium pays off above all with critical listening and higher-quality systems, not with a simple compact system.

Why buy the Dual CS 618Q Walnut at HD Zürisee?

Because direct drive and semi-automatic logic need to be set up correctly — that's exactly what we handle during setup. Ask us about the right amplifier and speaker combination.

Goes well with

An integrated amplifier with a high-quality phono input or an external phono preamp gets the maximum out of the 2M Blue — we're happy to show you suitable combinations from our range.