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** Item Specific Details ** Minor scratches and scuffs throughout. Minor crack in dust cover. ** The Dual Turntables CS518 manual turntable combines precision engineering with high-end features for vinyl enthusiasts. Its twin gimbal tonearm with pivot ball bearings guides even demanding cartridges with pinpoint accuracy for a sublime listening experience. You'll appreciate the die-cast aluminum platter with a resonance-damping rubber mat and hardened steel spindle for low wow and flutter. Adjusting the stepless anti-skating and switching between 33/45/78 RPM speeds is a breeze with the convenient controls. Paired with the pre-installed Ortofon 2M red cartridge and switchable MM phono preamp, the CS518 delivers outstanding value with its rich, balanced sound. The solid MDF plinth with a vinyl veneer reduces resonances, while elastomer feet absorb vibrations for pristine audio quality.
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Dual emerged from the Black Forest region of Germany in 1907, when brothers Christian and Joseph Steidinger began manufacturing clockwork and gramophone components in St. Georgen. The company adopted its now-iconic name in 1927 after pioneering dual-mode power supplies that allowed gramophones to operate from either mains electricity or mechanical wind-up mechanisms. This innovation marked the beginning of Dual's transition from component supplier to full-fledged audio manufacturer, establishing a foundation of engineering precision that would define the brand for decades.
Dual built its reputation primarily as a turntable specialist, becoming Europe's largest turntable manufacturer by the post-war era with over 3,000 employees across multiple factories. Beyond vinyl playback, the company expanded into cassette players, CD players, and broader consumer electronics throughout the 1970s and 1980s, demonstrating versatility across analog and digital formats. The company's focus on mechanical excellence and stable drive systems earned it recognition as a dependable, quality-focused manufacturer throughout its European heyday.
Today, Dual occupies a fragmented market position following corporate restructuring in the 1990s and subsequent ownership changes. The original German turntable line continues production in St. Georgen under Alfred Fehrenbacher GmbH, maintaining traditional manufacturing standards and appealing to vintage enthusiasts and collectors. Separately, Namsung Electronics markets Dual-branded consumer electronics in the Americas at accessible price points. The brand's legacy rests primarily on its classic turntables, which remain highly sought after by collectors and audiophiles valuing precision engineering and heritage craftsmanship.
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