German Dual turntables now seem like something special, almost like they’re from another vinyl planet. On the one hand, they’re a renowned manufacturer with a long history and no less accumulated experience, but on the other, these devices are very different from practically everything else on the market today. And I wouldn’t say that’s a bad thing; quite the opposite—a synthesis of past and present could prove to be a very interesting option. As for exactly what, we’ll see and hear.
The Dual CS 460 is essentially the oldest turntable in the Dual lineup currently in production. But it retains much of the design of this company’s devices just a few decades ago. Back then, many companies were making something similar; it was a highly developed segment, which we would now place roughly on the spectrum from more or less affordable to expensive Hi-Fi. But as the years passed, the heyday of all sorts of electronics in vinyl production began, followed by a period of profound decline for the entire industry, and many turntable manufacturers in this segment simply disappeared. Or the companies themselves exist, but do not make any players.
Looking for a turntable with true analog charm? The Dual CS 460 combines decades of German engineering with warm, musical sound.
Among those that once flourished in this segment, we can recall, for example, Elac or the junior Thorens models. But Elac has long since ceased to have turntables in its lineup, and Thorens has significantly changed its concept and design approach—only the most junior models still retain a few reminders of the past. Meanwhile, Dual turntables are still in production. And they are, in many ways, inheriting everything that made them interesting several decades ago. While there has certainly been development, our test subject is a relatively new model, having received a number of improvements and design changes compared to its predecessor.
But first things first. The main feature of Dual turntables is, without a doubt, their automation. Classic mechanical automatics that control the tonearm position, just like in the good old days. Pure mechanics, seemingly simple and unprepossessing, but operating quietly and accurately. Although I’m against any automation as such, I prefer minimalist designs in which everything unnecessary is removed, but I can’t look at the Dual’s internal structure without tenderness and nostalgia – I also once had a similar turntable from the 70s, and I lived with it for about a year, collecting quite a few interesting records.
The Dual CS 460 brings traditional mechanical automation and retro craftsmanship into today’s hi-fi world.
I’d like to begin my examination of the design with the mechanics. Everything needed to operate the turntable, as well as the turntable motor, the main platter bearing, and the tonearm base, are mounted on a small metal subchassis. Externally, it’s a rather crude structure, consisting of variously shaped parts, levers, and springs. But the structure itself is carefully assembled, and everything operates very quietly, smoothly, and quietly. The automatic control system is precise, with no errors. Everything works as it should. However, it’s difficult to hear any side effects in the speakers unless you turn up the volume and listen closely, and even then, it’s difficult. The turntable itself, including its positioning accuracy, can be adjusted if necessary; it’s not at all difficult. The turntable isn’t fast, but it’s not annoying. The only manual function is a microlift, which is necessary in our case to listen to different tracks, not just the beginning of the record.
The Dual CS 460 turntable’s bearing is small, classic in design, but not disassemblable. It’s possible to disassemble it, but it’s not supposed to. A lightweight plastic sub-disc, slightly larger than average in diameter, is attached to the pulley. Rotation is transmitted to it from the motor via a flat rubber belt. There are three speeds, plus a 78 RPM option. Considering the stock head can be fitted with a shellac insert, perhaps this speed will be useful to someone.
The player’s main platter is lightweight, but of a rather unusual design. It consists of several aluminum parts held together by a damping insert. It’s difficult to discern the exact material used without disassembling the platter, but the characteristics suggest the following: the platter isn’t heavy and isn’t at all resonant, but it’s not dull either. It leaves the impression of a more or less resonantly neutral structure. A medium-thick felt mat is included with the platter. The motor is a low-power DC motor with a remote power supply in the form of a plug adapter. Motor control is very simple, and everything is also mounted on the main metal chassis.
Old-World Turntable Craft Reinvented for Today’s Vinyl Purists
The tonearm is a traditional Dual gimbal design, very lightweight and designed for low-weight cartridges with low tracking force. Since its design and operation are tied to the rest of the automation, the tonearm is also mounted on the same metal chassis. In terms of operation and settings, it’s statically balanced, features adjustable tracking force, anti-skating, a removable headshell, and azimuth adjustment. Unfortunately, there’s no height adjustment. So, the removable headshell is more of a convenience feature, designed for installing and changing cartridges. Using multiple cartridges on a single turntable isn’t particularly feasible. Firstly, the wiring is non-detachable and runs through the headshell, and secondly, you can only install a different cartridge if its dimensions are close to the standard height.
The Dual CS 460 turntable’s signal cable is non-removable. It’s an unassuming black thing with RCA connectors in plastic housings and a ground terminal wire. But I’ve replaced the wiring on similar turntables several times—the cables, while seemingly unsightly, feel like they’re not junk, but something better. The cross-section is decent, and the build quality isn’t shabby. Interestingly, if, for example, you were to install a couple of decent RCA connectors on the case and solder the tonearm wires to them, you’d get a boost in sound quality without imbalance or distortion, not with the most budget-friendly interconnect cables, but with cables priced around 6,000 rubles or more. It’s logical to assume that a no-name Chinese cable, had it been installed, would have shown a much greater difference in sound quality and a much greater difference when replaced.
Pure Mechanical Mastery
All that remains is to examine the outer case. It’s a lightweight yet durable MDF structure covered in veneer. On the bottom are non-adjustable feet that look ordinary, but actually have very little support—just a silicone hemisphere in the center, the rest being decorative trim. The entire interior of the turntable, the metal chassis, and all its components, are mounted inside the case using spring suspension. The springs aren’t particularly soft and have a short travel, but they do their job, providing additional decoupling and dampening any unwanted effects that may arise from the automatic system. The case includes a convenient and neat dust cover with high-quality spring-loaded hinges.
So, we can draw some initial conclusions. The Dual CS 460 is downright anti-audiophile in design, but overall it’s very well thought out and meticulously crafted. Also, if you look again at individual design elements, you can see a characteristic that Dual’s developers have been cultivating for decades: all components are extremely lightweight, everything is tuned to dissipate all possible resonances, and this actually works, even in a turntable with such seemingly crude internals and automatic controls.
Of course, the conclusion also suggests itself that the unit should be viewed as a ready-made solution. Not for immediately replacing the cartridge or re-soldering the cables (although that’s not forbidden), but simply bringing it home, connecting it to the system, and listening to records. And I know from experience that this approach works; I know several music lovers among my acquaintances who own various Dual models from different years. Some players have very old units, while others have newer ones that replaced older, age-defying turntables from the same manufacturer. And yet, each of them has a vinyl collection, ranging from several hundred to several thousand records, and plays music in their home more often than some owners of turntables tens of times more expensive.
Classic Turntable Craftsmanship
Conclusion
In its own way, this is an excellent turntable, not at all audiophile in nature, with a number of quirks, but capable of playing a wide variety of genres and styles very well. The sound retains much of what was characteristic of Dual turntables several decades ago, and I didn’t detect any particular “modernity.” Nor did I detect anything that could be classified as audiophile flaws. These are not uncommon, for example, deliberately hypertrophied bass or pretentious high frequencies—not such a rarity these days, but our test subject, fortunately, lacks these traits. Another thing I liked was its overall very friendly character. This trek allows you to listen thoughtfully to your favorite recordings alone or enjoy music with friends while chatting. Many audiophile devices won’t allow this kind of approach to sound, even if you want to.
Dual CS 460 Specifications
- Belt drive , Platter
- material: Aluminum,
- Motor: DC
- Rotation speeds: 33, 45, 78 rpm,
- Speed control: Electronic,
- Speed switch: Electronic,
- Dust cover: Yes,
- Cartridge included,
- Tonearm shape: Straight,
- Anti-skating: Yes,
- Color: Black lacquer,
- Dimensions: 440 x 119 x 360 mm,
- Weight: 8.2 kg
