Dual CS 505

The belt-drive budget champion of the 1980s, with a floating sub-chassis, ultra-low-mass arm and auto shut-off. It was the perennial 'best budget turntable' of the British hi-fi press through the decade.

The deck that dominated the 1980s UK budget scene — millions of systems were built around a CS 505.

Who it suits

Best suited to: buyers comfortable assessing used condition and budgeting for servicing (drive mechanism, bearing, stylus). Less ideal for: a no-hassle purchase with a manufacturer warranty — buy a current model instead.

Good to know

• No built-in phono stage — use an amplifier with a phono input or add a separate phono preamplifier.
• This is a used-market purchase. Ask about condition, originality and service history — for this drive type, check the drive belt (often perished or stretched with age) and bearing, plus the stylus regardless.

Specifications

Where to buy the Dual CS 505

2 UK merchants handle used or discontinued decks like this — each outbound link searches the deck on that merchant’s site.

Compare it

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More from Dual

Vintage Dual 1219 Discontinued. idler drive · 33/45/78 rpm £150 typical used Vintage Dual CS 505-4 Discontinued. belt drive · 33/45 rpm £160 typical used Vintage Dual 1229 Discontinued. idler drive · 33/45/78 rpm £180 typical used Vintage Dual CS 721 Discontinued. direct drive · 33/45 rpm £260 typical used