Cambridge Audio Alva ST vs Dual CS 429

Side-by-side specifications and a plain-English account of the recorded differences. Full profiles: Cambridge Audio Alva ST · Dual CS 429.

Practical differences

Highlighted cells show a lower reference price, support for more listed speeds, or the presence of a convenience feature. They are not an overall score.

Both are belt-drive, so that part of the experience should feel similar on either deck: a motor that's mechanically isolated from the platter by an elastic belt, which is the usual route to a quieter noise floor — the default choice across most of hi-fi.

The Cambridge Audio Alva ST has Bluetooth streaming.

The Dual CS 429 is fully automatic — press start and the arm cues itself and lifts at the end of the side — where the Cambridge Audio Alva ST needs you to cue the arm by hand.

Bottom line: the Cambridge Audio Alva ST has the lower reference price; the table shows which documented features change with the $0 gap.

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