Dual CS 718Q Turntable without Cartridge, Black

The Dual CS 718Q is a manual direct-drive turntable with a carbon-aluminium tonearm and balanced XLR output, designed for anyone who wants to choose their own cartridge and phono preamp.

Why the CS 718Q?

Above a certain price point, you no longer want a manufacturer making the cartridge decision for you. That's why the CS 718Q deliberately ships without a cartridge, but comes with a carbon-aluminium tonearm with massless tracking-force adjustment and either RCA or balanced XLR output – the foundation for a system you put together yourself.

What you hear and get

How the CS 718Q sounds depends largely on the cartridge you choose – the tonearm itself, with its rigidity and fine tracking-force adjustment, provides the basis for maximum resolution, whether MM or MC. The heavy platter (2.2 kg) also ensures smooth, drift-free running.

Who is the CS 718Q suited for? (and who isn't it for – plain talk)

For anyone who already knows which cartridge they want to fit, or who's happy to get advice on it. If you'd rather just drop the needle without worrying about a cartridge or phono preamp, you'll get there faster with the CS 618Q including the 2M Blue.

Our verdict

A deck for the deliberate cartridge choice: invest here and you're investing specifically in tonearm and mechanics – the rest comes down to taste and advice.

Technical data

• Dimensions (lid closed): 435 × 367 × 155 mm
• Weight: 10.0 kg
• Drive: direct drive, brushless motor, ironless coils
• Speeds: 33 / 45 / 78 rpm
• Wow and flutter: < ±0.05% (DIN)
• Tonearm: carbon-aluminium sandwich, fully gimballed, height-adjustable (+5/−2 mm), effective length 221.5 mm, massless tracking-force adjustment 0–3 g
• Cartridge: not included (compatible weight 3–13 g)
• Platter: die-cast aluminium/rubber, Ø 305 mm, 2200 g with mat
• Connection: RCA and XLR (balanced)
• Phono preamp: no, pure phono output
• Dust cover: yes, included

Frequently asked questions

Does the Dual CS 718Q come with a cartridge?

No, deliberately not. The CS 718Q ships without a cartridge so you can choose your own system to match your price range and preference – from MM up to a high-quality MC system, compatible weight 3–13 g.

Does the CS 718Q have a built-in phono preamp?

No. The CS 718Q provides a pure phono output via RCA and additionally balanced via XLR – so you definitely need a phono preamp or a phono input on your amplifier.

Why does the CS 718Q have both RCA and XLR?

XLR delivers a balanced, lower-noise connection to amplifiers with a matching phono input, while RCA remains the universal option for most existing systems. You choose depending on the equipment you have.

Who isn't the CS 718Q a good choice for?

For anyone who wants a complete package without extra effort – here you need to budget separately for a cartridge and phono preamp. If that's not what you want, you're better served by the CS 618Q including the 2M Blue.

Why buy the Dual CS 718Q at HD Zürisee?

Because choosing cartridge, tracking force and phono preamp is a genuine advice topic – and that's exactly where we draw on decades of experience to put together the right overall package for you, not just a single device.

Goes well with

A cartridge of your choice (MM or MC), a matching phono preamp and an amplifier with an XLR phono input complete the CS 718Q – we're happy to put the combination together for you.