Dual CS 618Q Turntable
A serious record player should make vinyl feel stable, tactile, and easy to trust.
When Speed Stability Changes the Feel of the Music
Some turntables sound pleasant but never quite feel locked in. Piano notes can waver, bass lines can lose shape, and the soundstage can feel less stable than the record deserves.
At this level, the job is not only to spin the record. The turntable has to hold speed, support the cartridge, and lower the background distractions that keep the music from feeling convincing.
Direct Drive With a More Refined Vinyl Feel
We chose the Dual CS 618Q because it combines the stability of direct drive with a more hi-fi-minded arm and cartridge package. The Ortofon 2M Blue, twin gimbal tonearm, heavier platter, and switchable phono stage make it a complete turntable that can anchor a strong analogue system.
What the Specs Won't Tell You
It Makes Pitch Feel More Secure
The quartz-stabilized direct drive helps the platter hold speed more confidently. That gives sustained notes, vocals, and rhythmic passages a stronger sense of shape and continuity.
It Gives the Cartridge More to Work With
The Ortofon 2M Blue is a meaningful step up in clarity and openness from many bundled cartridges. On the CS 618Q, it is supported by a twin gimbal tonearm that helps it trace the groove with more precision.
It Protects the Stylus at the End of the Side
The switchable auto-stop and automatic tonearm lift reduce wear when a record reaches the runout groove. You still get the feel of a manual turntable, but with a useful safety feature built in.
The Audio Two Verdict
The CS 618Q is the Dual model we would point to when the turntable needs to be more than a casual source. It suits a system where vinyl is played often, the amplifier and speakers can reveal cartridge quality, and the listener wants direct-drive stability without giving up a clean hi-fi presentation.
| What You Hear | Why It Happens |
|---|---|
| Sustained notes feel more stable | Quartz-stabilized direct drive |
| More openness and texture from the record | Factory-installed Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge |
| Cleaner groove tracing | Twin gimbal tonearm with four pivot ball bearings |
| Less worry at the end of a side | Switchable auto-stop with automatic tonearm lift |
| Bass and image feel better anchored | 1.45 kg die-cast aluminium platter with rubber mat |
Technical Highlights
- Direct-drive turntable with 33, 45, and 78 rpm speeds
- Factory-installed Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge
- Twin gimbal tonearm with four pivot ball bearings
- Switchable MM phono preamp
- Switchable auto-stop and automatic tonearm lift
- 1.45 kg die-cast aluminium platter with 2.5 mm rubber mat
- 435 x 367 x 145 mm with dust cover closed; 7.5 kg
Why Choose Audio Two
Audio Two ships across Canada. If you don't have access to a proper high-end dealer in your city, this is your way in — real expertise from people who've heard the system, matched the electronics, and can guide you through a decision this size.