Dual CS 505-4 Turntable

The Dual CS 505 vinyl turntable is the German manufacturer’s flagship product. It was first released in the mid-1980s, and was so successful that Dual just never stopped producing it! It has, however, undergone several upgrades over the years, so that today in 2017 this bestseller is in its fourth generation, which is why it is called the 505-4! 

While all of this explains its distinctive vintage aesthetic, it has definitely moved with the times in terms of using modern materials.

It is fitted with an aluminium tonearm and removable carbon fibre headshell, which itself is fitted with an Ortofon OM 10 cartridge. This tonearm uses a gyroscopic gimbal, which reduces friction to a minimum. It also lets you adjust the tracking force as it has an extremely precise torsion spring in the vertical axis. The antiskating system is also adjustable using the dial on the tonearm base. This gives you the option of upgrading the phono cartridge to a higher end model at a later date.

The plinth is made of solid wood and the sub-platter is completely suspended, which ensures a very high signal-to-noise ratio and enough rigidity to effectively ward off external vibrations. The whole body sits on damping feet, and the aluminium platter uses an anti-static felt platter mat to prevent resonance. It is driven by a DC motor and flat belt. The CS 505-4 offers two rotation speeds: 33⅓ and 45 rpm.

Because this turntable has a different design to the brand’s other models, the sound quality it produces is also different. While it has all of Dual's signature dynamic range and definition, the colouration is a lot more analogue-sounding! It adds extra presence to vocals and string and wind instruments in particular. And like all suspended vinyl turntables, it delivers a beautiful sound stage that is as wide as it is deep, whilst remaining precise and authentic. It also has relatively low levels of surface noise. We recommend replacing the cartridge with a higher quality model at a later date, such as the Ortofon 2M Blue or Ortofon 2M Bronze.

The Dual CS 505-4 vinyl turntable is sure to satisfy audiophiles looking for a user-friendly model that delivers a high quality and a nostalgic analogue sound. This benchmark product is now the stuff of legend in the Hi-Fi world!