Dual CS 618Q

Name: Dual CS 618Q
Brand: Dual
Price: 1099 GBP
Availability: InStock

Hi-fi turntables · 2023–present In production

£1,099 UK RRP

Official page at Dual ↗ Spec sheet (PDF) ↗

Dual's quartz-locked direct-drive flagship, echoing its 1970s EDS-motor heritage, with a 2M Blue and built-in phono stage.

Checked against the manufacturer’s site: 2026-07

Who it suits

Best suited to: a first serious turntable for an existing or planned amp-and-speakers setup. Less ideal for: plugging straight into passive speakers with no amp — check the built-in phono stage row above, and note most hi-fi decks still need external amplification.

Compatibility and setup

Manual operation: you cue and lift the tonearm by hand at the start and end of each side — there’s no auto-return or auto-lift.

Good to know

Has a built-in phono stage, so it can feed a normal line input on an amplifier or powered speakers without a separate phono box.

Specifications

Specifications for Dual CS 618Q
Drive	direct drive
Speeds	33/45 rpm
Operation	manual
Cartridge included	Ortofon 2M Blue
Built-in phono stage	Yes
USB output	No
Bluetooth	No
Platter	die-cast aluminium
Tonearm	straight aluminium
Wow & flutter	<0.07%
Dimensions	435 x 145 x 367 mm (W x H x D, closed dustcover)
Weight	7 kg
Finishes	Black vinyl veneer, Gloss black, or Walnut veneer (gloss black and walnut carry a premium, ~£1199)
Warranty	5 years
Years	2023–present

How it sits in the catalogue

Its direct-drive mechanism is shared by 18% of current models in the database (29 of 159). A built-in phono stage puts it with the 45% of current decks that plug straight into any amp or powered speaker. On price it sits mid-pack of its category — 74% of priced hi-fi decks cost less.