Dual CS 440: A simple budget record player

The Dual CS 440 model was released quite recently and replaced the Dual CS 415 model. By the way, all Dual players, even the simplest ones, are manufactured only in Germany. The main differences with the previous model are in the case design. The player is very light, which fits in perfectly with the Dual design concept; the manufacturer has never had heavy devices, and the emphasis was on the dispersion of resonance effects. This approach can be seen in all the details and components – in the design of the drive and disk, in the tonearm. The case is made of fairly thin MDF and is hollow inside, it is mounted on a stand using non-adjustable legs ending in small silicone balls.

The Dual CS 440 case is equipped with a miniature support bearing mounted on a metal frame, a small quiet motor and automatic mechanics. Dual has always made most of its players as automatic or semi-automatic, so there is nothing surprising here. Automatics have long disappeared from devices of a higher class, but many budget players still have them. And if in high-end devices automatics can objectively affect the sound, then in devices like our test subject this component will not be critical, and in practical terms it is still convenient. Looking ahead, I will say that the automatics work, although not very quickly, but smoothly and quietly.

The only thing that is not provided is the choice of record size – 12, 10 or 7 inches, and for smaller records you will need to use a manual microlift, which, of course, the device allows you to do. There is also an adjustment that allows you to adjust the starting point of the machine if necessary. The installed motor is quite small and quiet. The power supply is remote, made in the form of a small plug-adapter. Rotation from the motor is transmitted to the plastic sub-disk using a flat rubber belt. A switch is provided to change the rotation speed, and there is no need to manually throw the belt. The main disk is very light, stamped from aluminum. It is not only put on the bearing pulley, but also slightly fixed with a spring. A fairly thick but light felt mat goes with the disk.

The tonearm is simple, lightweight, with a non-removable shell and no way to adjust anything, even the clamping force, so there are few options in terms of choosing replacement heads. But the head itself on the shell can be adjusted. The wires from the tonearm are non-removable, there is no built-in phono preamplifier, as is sometimes the case with budget players.

The head is DMS 251 S, it is difficult for me to remember how long this model has been produced, but it has been for a long time, and many manufacturers use it for installation as a standard one on inexpensive players. The head, of course, is MM-type, with a replaceable conical needle and a folding protective cap. According to the manufacturer, the service life of the needle is 300 hours, which is less than usual, but in practice these heads last a little longer even on dirty and worn vinyl, and the replacement needle is quite inexpensive.

Dual CS 440 is a very simple budget player, overall it left a very good impression, if you do not try to evaluate its sound by High End standards. The device turned out to be unpretentious, very easy to use, coped well with both dusty and worn records, and in sound pleased with unobtrusive-joyful emotionality and airy, not rough delivery.

If you use this player in a suitable path and do not require it to reproduce the most complex records with high accuracy, then you can enjoy both music and vinyl as a carrier. For many, this device will be more than enough, since it can successfully replace any old Soviet player, and many budget vintage devices. Well, for someone it can become the first step to mastering vinyl at a more serious level.

Characteristics of Dual CS 440

Drive: belt
Rotation speeds: 33 and 45 rpm.
Effective tonearm length: 211 mm.
Offset angle: 26 degrees.
Overhang: 19.5 mm.
Head tracking force: 2 grams
Stylus type: cone
Weight: 5 grams
Output voltage: 4 mV.
Capacitance, including cable: 160 pF.
Player dimensions (WxDxH): 420x119x360 mm.