Dual CS 618Q vs Rega Planar 3

Side-by-side specifications and a plain-English account of the recorded differences. Full profiles: Dual CS 618Q · Rega Planar 3.

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.

There's a real gap here: $25 separates them, with the Rega Planar 3 the pricier of the two.

The mechanics differ too: the Dual CS 618Q is direct-drive, the Rega Planar 3 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: $25 separates these reference prices. That difference is factual; this specification comparison does not assign an overall winner.

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