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In the Dual 505, a great deal of technical expertise has been applied to acoustically decouple the entire turntable drive unit from the remainder of the casing.SpecificationsDrive: Dual 16-pole SM 100-1 synchronous motor with precision flat belt for flywheel driveStarting time: 2 to 2.5sPlatter: 304mm, 0.9kg, non-magnetic, removableSpeeds: 33.33 and 45rpmPitch control: 6%Wow and flutter: 0.05% WRMSRumble: 69dBTonearm: distortion free ultra low mass aluminium tubular tonearm in 4 point tip bearingLocal pick up / inspection / purchase available at Archer High Fidelity in Falls Church, VA. We are a vintage sales and service specialist covering the Washington DC metro area.All major credit cards accepted, as well as PayPal, check on clearing, and Venmo.Any other questions, please feel free to ask.
Compared with a typical decent belt-drive deck in this price band, US$250 for a Dual CS 505-2 is a bit ambitious: it sits above the US$220 75th percentile and well over the US$191 median, so this is not a bargain-price listing. It’s still within the realm of a sensible buy if the deck is genuinely clean, fully working, and comes ready to play, but the asking price should be justified by condition and completeness rather than the model name alone.
The CS 505-2 is well regarded for easy setup, low-mass suspended design, and musical, low-drama performance that makes it a strong everyday table. Buyers should value original headshell, intact dustcover, stable speed, and a healthy arm/lift mechanism, because those details matter more than cosmetics here. At US$250, it makes sense only if it’s been properly serviced or is unusually tidy; otherwise, there’s room to negotiate.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
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.
See all Dual listings on RADAR.
