Dual CS-504 Turntable

Here we have a vintage turntable from German company Dual. The CS-504 series was first introduced in the latter part of the Nineteen-Seventies to great critical acclaim and was seen by many as the first proper turntable for those starting out on their hi-fi and music journeys. Our example is in good condition for its age and fully working. It will be supplied suitably packaged with our usual three month warranty, but please note this warranty does not cover the fitted cartridge.
Dual Said….
CS-504 Semi-Automatic & CS-521 Fully Automatic Turntables
These two single-play, belt-drive turntables are excellent examples of Dual quality and value. Although moderately priced, each provides performance that will satisfy the most demanding requirements. Each also typifies Dual’s rugged construction that assures many years of trouble-free operation. And each has the many design features so important for flawless record reproduction.
The gimbal-mounted tonearm is dynamically balanced and pivots at the exact point where the horizontal and vertical axes meet.
Between pivot and tonearm head, the straight-line tubular design provides maximum rigidity with low mass. The vernier-adjustable counterbalance lets you zero-balance the tonearm with utmost accuracy, so that tracking force can then be set precisely.
Tracking force is applied by a flat-wound spring coiled around the vertical pivot, and this force is maintained equally on each groove wall whether or not the turntable is level.
By contrast, tonearms which apply tracking force by shifting the counterweight forward are actually unbalanced during play and prone to mis-tracking. For example, on warped records the stylus tends to dig in on the uphill side of the warp and to lose contact on the way down.
The extremely low bearing-friction of all Dual tonearms contributes to their ability to maintain tracking stability under the most adverse conditions such as severe record warp. Vertical bearing friction in the CS-504 and CS-521 tonearms, for example, is less than 7 milligrams. This means that even the most sensitive high-performance cartridge can easily operate at its own optimum tracking force.
These two turntables also feature Dual’s unique, patented Vario-belt drive system with high-torque synchronous motor, Vario-pulley and precision-ground belt.
Speeds can be changed even while the platter is rotating, and the belt is never twisted or distorted. Speeds are adjusted by expansion and contraction of the Vario-pulley.
Every element of this drive system is designed and engineered to assure a high degree of speed accuracy and the virtual absence of drive-system vibration, the primary source of rumble.
For example, the rotor of every motor is dynamically balanced in all planes of motion. Each Vario­ pulley is individually machined and examined with precision instruments to ensure perfect balance and concentricity. The drive belt is precision ground to close tolerances in order to eliminate weak spots that shorten belt life.
The materials selected for these turntables, the close tolerances in the fabricating of each part, the craftsmanship employed in every manufacturing process and the constant quality control checks during assembly – all contribute to the many trouble-free years you can expect to enjoy these fine turntables.
They are complete with low-profile contemporary bases and spring-loaded dust covers that remain open in any position.
CS-504 Semi-automatic
Here is Dual precision engineering in our lowest-priced single-play turntable.
The operation of the CS-504 tonearm has been carefully thought out to assure exceptional protection to the stylus and records.
To begin play, you can confidently lift the tonearm from its resting post, move it to the record and then release it. The tonearm won’t drop to the record, but will remain suspended safely over it until you flick the cue-control lever.
And you don’t have to remember to set the cue-control in the up position – that’s done for you at the end of each play when the tonearm returns to its resting post and the motor shuts off. Automatically.
Specifications:
Turntable:
Drive: Dual 8-pole synchronous motor: precision flat belt for flywheel drive
Starting Time: approx. 2 seconds to 33.3 rpm
Platter: Non-magnetic, dynamically balanced, detachable, 1.3 kg, 304 mm diameter
Platter speeds: 33.3 and 45 rpm.
Pitch Control Variation: Adjustment range at 33.3 rpm approx. 1 semitone (6 %)
Total Wow and Flutter: < ± 0.09%
Rumble: Unweighted > 41 dB; Weighted > 62dB
Current: AC 50 or 60 Hz, changeable by changing motor pulley
Line Voltage: 110 – 125 V or 220 -240 V, changeable
Power Consumption: approx. 10 Watts
Dimensions: 424 (W) x 368 (D) x 150 (H) mm
Weight: 4.1 kg
Tonearm:
Torsion-resistant tubular aluminium tonearm in four-point gimbal bearing
Effective Length: 221 mm
Tangential Tracking Error: 0.16°/cm
Bearing Friction: Vertical < 0.1 mN (0.01 g); Horizontal < 0.4 mN (0.04 g)
Cartridge Holder: Removable, accepting any cartridges with ½” mounting and a weight from 5.5 to 10g
Adjustable Overhang: 5 mm