Dual CS 618Q vs EAT Prelude
Side-by-side specifications and a plain-English account of the recorded differences. Full profiles: Dual CS 618Q · EAT Prelude.
| Specification | Dual CS 618Q |
EAT Prelude |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Highlighted difference. $1,100 | $1,595 |
| Category | Hi-fi | Hi-fi |
| Status | current | current |
| Years | 2023–present | 2019–present |
| Drive | direct drive | belt drive |
| Speeds | 33/45 rpm | 33/45 rpm |
| Operation | manual | manual |
| Cartridge supplied | Ortofon 2M Blue | Ortofon 2M Red |
| Phono stage | Highlighted difference. Yes | No |
| USB output | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Platter | die-cast aluminium | aluminium with TPE damping |
| Tonearm | straight aluminium | 9" carbon-fibre |
| Wow & flutter | <0.07% | — |
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.
The Dual CS 618Q undercuts the EAT Prelude by $495 — $1,100 against $1,595.
The mechanics differ too: the Dual CS 618Q is direct-drive, the EAT Prelude is belt-drive. The Dual CS 618Q gets instant start-up, rock-steady speed under load, and enough torque to nudge or backspin the record — the reason DJs and scratch decks are built this way.
The Dual CS 618Q has a built-in phono stage. Skip the phono stage and you'll need one built into your amp, or a separate box, to play through normal speakers.
Bottom line: $495 separates these reference prices. That difference is factual; this specification comparison does not assign an overall winner.
Live retailer offers
Checking current in-stock offers for Dual CS 618Q…
Retailer searches
4 US retailers stock Dual — each outbound link searches the deck on that retailer’s site.
| Retailer | Type | Shipping | Product search |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | marketplace | Free shipping on $35+ orders (free on most items with Prime, often same/next day). | Search at Amazon ↗ |
| eBay | marketplace | Shipping set per seller; many listings ship free within the US. | Search at eBay ↗ |
| Reverb | used marketplace | Shipping set per seller; many listings ship free within the US. | Search at Reverb ↗ |
| Turntable Lab | hifi independent | Free shipping to the continental US on most orders (bulk/oversized items excluded). | Search at Turntable Lab ↗ |
Live retailer offers
Checking current in-stock offers for EAT Prelude…
Retailer searches
1 US retailer stock EAT — each outbound link searches the deck on that retailer’s site.
| Retailer | Type | Shipping | Product search |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upscale Audio | hifi independent | Free USA shipping on orders over $99 (exclusions for oversized items). | Search at Upscale Audio ↗ |