Advance Paris AIR65 Powered Speakers and Dual CS 429 Fully Automatic Turntable Bundle
Audio T Verdict
This Advance Paris and Dual bundle provides a complete vinyl and Bluetooth system without requiring a separate amplifier or phono stage.
The Dual CS 429 offers the convenience of fully automatic playback, placing the tonearm onto the record at the touch of a button and returning it when playback finishes. Its Ortofon 2M Red cartridge, aluminium platter and optically regulated belt drive provide a considerably more serious foundation than the automatic operation might suggest.
The AIR65 powered speakers add 55W per channel, aptX Bluetooth, optical and coaxial digital inputs, moving-magnet phono and a subwoofer output. It is a compact, flexible system that can accommodate vinyl, music from a phone and additional digital sources.
Advance Paris AIR65 and Dual CS 429 Turntable Bundle
This complete stereo package combines a pair of Advance Paris AIR65 powered speakers with the Dual CS 429 fully automatic belt-drive turntable.
The AIR65’s stereo amplifier is built into the right-hand master speaker. The left speaker connects to it using conventional speaker cable, providing proper left and right stereo separation without the need for a separate integrated amplifier.
The Dual CS 429 is supplied with a factory-fitted Ortofon 2M Red moving-magnet cartridge and a switchable internal phono preamplifier.
Bundle Contents
- Pair of Advance Paris AIR65 powered speakers
- AIR65 remote control
- Dual CS 429 fully automatic turntable
- Factory-fitted Ortofon 2M Red cartridge
- Removable headshell
- Aluminium platter and rubber mat
- Removable dust cover and hinges
- Tonearm counterweight
- 45rpm centre adaptor
- Stereo RCA turntable cable
- Turntable power supply
The WTX-MicroStream Wi-Fi network player is not included unless it is specifically identified in the selected bundle option.
No Separate Amplifier Required
The AIR65 contains a stereo amplifier rated at 55W RMS per channel.
The right-hand enclosure is the master speaker and contains the amplifier, source connections, Bluetooth receiver, DAC and operating controls. The left speaker is passive and receives its amplified signal from the master speaker through speaker cable.
Only the right-hand master speaker requires a mains connection.
Two Ways to Connect the Turntable
Both the Dual CS 429 and the AIR65 contain moving-magnet phono amplification, so the system can be connected in either of two ways.
Using the AIR65 Phono Stage
- Set the Dual CS 429 output selector to PHONO
- Connect its RCA output to the AIR65 AUX1 input
- Set the AIR65 AUX1 selector to PHONO
- Connect the turntable earth lead to the AIR65 grounding terminal
Using the Dual CS 429 Phono Stage
- Set the Dual CS 429 output selector to LINE
- Connect its RCA output to the AIR65 AUX1 input
- Set the AIR65 AUX1 selector to LINE
Do Not Use Both Phono Stages Together
Do not set the turntable and speakers to PHONO at the same time. This would amplify the cartridge signal twice and cause excessive volume and severe distortion.
Make sure that the PHONO and LINE selectors match the chosen connection method before beginning playback.
Fully Automatic Vinyl Playback
The Dual CS 429 can start and finish a record automatically.
After selecting the record size and speed, press the start button. The platter begins to rotate, the tonearm moves to the record and the stylus is lowered into the opening groove.
At the end of the side, the tonearm lifts, returns to its rest and the motor switches off.
Automatic Stop at Any Time
Pressing the stop button during playback lifts the tonearm and returns it to its rest automatically.
This allows a record to be stopped without manually lifting and repositioning the arm.
Manual Operation Is Also Available
The CS 429 can also be operated like a conventional manual turntable.
The tonearm can be raised with the cueing lever, positioned above the desired groove and lowered by hand. At the end of the record, it will still return to its rest automatically.
This gives the listener the convenience of automatic operation without preventing individual tracks from being selected manually.
17cm and 30cm Automatic Playback
The turntable includes a record-size selector for 17cm singles and 30cm LPs.
Dual states that the automatic start function is not available for 25cm records. These can still be played by positioning the tonearm manually.
33?, 45 and 78rpm
A rotary control provides electronic selection for 33?, 45 and 78rpm records.
The optical motor-control system continually regulates the platter speed, with no manual fine-speed adjustment required.
Playing 78rpm Records
The supplied Ortofon 2M Red stylus is intended for modern microgroove records.
A suitable 78rpm stylus or cartridge is required before playing shellac records.
Ortofon 2M Red Cartridge
An Ortofon 2M Red moving-magnet cartridge is fitted to the removable headshell at the factory.
The cartridge is a well-established choice for affordable Hi-Fi turntables and provides an easy future stylus-replacement route.
Dual recommends a tracking force between 1.6g and 2.0g for the supplied cartridge.
Adjustable Tracking Force and Anti-Skating
The CS 429’s tonearm uses an adjustable counterweight rather than a fixed cartridge setting.
Tracking force can be adjusted between 0g and 4g, while the spring-loaded anti-skating control provides continuous adjustment.
This also allows compatible alternative cartridges weighing between 5g and 9g to be fitted and correctly balanced.
Removable Headshell
The cartridge is mounted in a detachable headshell secured to the front of the tonearm.
This simplifies cartridge installation, maintenance and replacement compared with working directly beneath a fixed tonearm.
Tracking force, anti-skating and cartridge alignment must be checked whenever a different cartridge or headshell is fitted.
Optically Regulated Belt Drive
The platter is driven by a DC servo motor through a precision-cut belt.
An optical sensor monitors and regulates the motor speed, while rubber motor mountings help reduce the transfer of vibration into the plinth.
Dual publishes wow and flutter at less than ±0.08% under its DIN-rated measurement.
Die-Cast Aluminium Platter
The 305mm die-cast aluminium platter weighs 850g including its 2.5mm rubber mat.
The main bearing uses a hardened-steel spindle running within a brass bushing.
The rubber platter mat helps support the record and damp unwanted resonance.
MDF Plinth and Damped Subchassis
The CS 429 uses an MDF plinth with a black vinyl finish.
A subchassis construction with rubber dampers helps isolate the tonearm and platter from the automatic mechanism and external vibration.
Large 62mm feet include elastomer damping elements to further reduce vibration reaching the record and stylus.
Automatic Mechanism Decoupled During Playback
Dual states that the mechanical automatic system is decoupled from the platter and tonearm while a record is playing.
This allows the automatic features to provide convenience without remaining continually engaged with the record-playing mechanism.
Advance Paris AIR65 Powered Speakers
The AIR65 is a compact two-way powered loudspeaker system designed to provide proper stereo reproduction without a separate amplifier.
The master speaker delivers 55W RMS to each channel, with Advance Paris also publishing instantaneous output of more than 100W.
130mm Mid/Bass Drivers
Each enclosure contains a 130mm treated-paper mid/bass driver with rubber suspension.
The treated paper diaphragm is designed to combine low mass with sufficient rigidity for controlled bass and natural midrange reproduction.
25mm Dome Tweeters
A 25mm treated fabric-dome tweeter handles the upper frequencies in each speaker.
Positioning the tweeters close to seated ear height will normally provide the strongest stereo image and most even tonal balance.
45Hz to 22kHz Frequency Response
Advance Paris publishes a frequency response of 45Hz to 22kHz at the stated -3dB limits.
This provides useful bass extension from a compact enclosure, while the dedicated subwoofer output allows deeper low-frequency performance to be added later.
Built-In aptX Bluetooth
Bluetooth is included as standard and supports the aptX codec.
A compatible smartphone, tablet or computer can play music wirelessly without requiring the optional WTX-MicroStream or a home network.
aptX will be used only when the transmitting device also supports it.
Optional Wi-Fi Streaming
The standard AIR65 system does not contain Wi-Fi network streaming.
An optional Advance Paris WTX-MicroStream can be connected to the AUX2/STREAM input and powered from the adjacent 5V DC connection.
This adds compatible network music services, internet radio, music-library playback and multiroom control through the Advance PlayStream app.
The AIR65 must be switched off before the network module is fitted or removed.
Optical Input for a Television
One optical Toslink input allows a compatible television, games console, CD player or network source to use the AIR65’s internal DAC.
A connected television should normally be configured to output stereo PCM rather than Dolby Digital, DTS or another multichannel format.
Coaxial Digital Input
A coaxial S/PDIF input is provided for a compatible CD transport, network player or other digital source.
Use a purpose-designed 75-ohm coaxial digital cable rather than one half of a normal stereo analogue interconnect.
Second Analogue Input
AUX2/STREAM can accommodate a conventional line-level source such as a CD player, external DAC or network player.
The connection is normally occupied when the optional WTX-MicroStream is fitted.
Active Subwoofer Output
A mono RCA output allows a compatible active subwoofer to be added.
The subwoofer must contain its own amplifier. Level, crossover frequency and phase should be adjusted using the controls provided on the subwoofer.
Speaker and Turntable Positioning
Place the AIR65 speakers at a similar distance from the main listening position, with the tweeters close to seated ear height.
As the cabinets are rear ported, approximately 10cm behind each speaker is a sensible starting point. Their position can then be adjusted to achieve the preferred bass balance.
The turntable should be placed on a stable and level surface, away from the speakers and their supporting furniture wherever practical.
Reducing the amount of loudspeaker vibration reaching the stylus helps prevent acoustic feedback and protects record-playback clarity.
Key Features
- Complete vinyl and powered-speaker system
- No separate amplifier required
- Advance Paris AIR65 powered stereo speakers
- 55W RMS amplifier output per channel
- 130mm treated-paper mid/bass drivers
- 25mm treated fabric-dome tweeters
- 45Hz to 22kHz published frequency response
- Built-in aptX Bluetooth
- Wolfson 24-bit/192kHz digital conversion
- Switchable moving-magnet phono input
- Second stereo RCA line input
- Optical Toslink input
- Coaxial S/PDIF input
- Active-subwoofer output
- Optional WTX-MicroStream Wi-Fi upgrade
- Dual CS 429 fully automatic turntable
- Automatic start, stop and tonearm return
- Manual playback also available
- 17cm and 30cm automatic record-size settings
- 33?, 45 and 78rpm speed selection
- DC servo motor with optical speed control
- Precision belt drive
- Less than ±0.08% published wow and flutter
- Factory-fitted Ortofon 2M Red cartridge
- Removable headshell
- Adjustable tracking force and anti-skating
- 305mm die-cast aluminium platter
- 2.5mm rubber platter mat
- MDF plinth with damped subchassis
- Elastomer-damped feet
- Switchable internal MM phono preamplifier
- Removable hinged dust cover
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in this bundle?
It includes a pair of Advance Paris AIR65 powered speakers and a Dual CS 429 fully automatic turntable with an Ortofon 2M Red cartridge.
Is a separate amplifier required?
No. A 55W-per-channel stereo amplifier is built into the AIR65 master speaker.
Is the Dual CS 429 fully automatic?
Yes. It can start playback, lower the tonearm and return it at the end of the record automatically.
Can the turntable also be operated manually?
Yes. The tonearm can be positioned and lowered manually whenever required.
Which record sizes work automatically?
The size selector supports 17cm and 30cm records. Dual states that 25cm records must be started manually.
Which speeds does the turntable support?
It provides electronic selection for 33?, 45 and 78rpm.
Can the supplied cartridge play 78rpm records?
No. A suitable 78rpm stylus or cartridge is required for shellac records.
Which cartridge is included?
An Ortofon 2M Red moving-magnet cartridge is factory fitted.
Can the cartridge be changed?
Yes. The headshell is removable and the tonearm supports compatible cartridges weighing between 5g and 9g.
Is a separate phono stage required?
No. The CS 429 and AIR65 both contain switchable moving-magnet phono amplification.
Which phono stage should I use?
Either can be used, but only one should be active. Match the PHONO and LINE switches to the chosen connection method.
Does the system include Bluetooth?
Yes. aptX Bluetooth is built into the AIR65 speakers.
Is Wi-Fi streaming included?
The WTX-MicroStream is not included unless it is specifically identified in the selected bundle option.
Can a television be connected?
Yes. Use the optical input and configure the television’s digital output for stereo PCM.
Can a CD player be connected?
Yes. A CD player can use a line-level RCA, optical or coaxial connection.
Can a subwoofer be added?
Yes. The AIR65 provides a mono RCA output for a compatible active subwoofer.
Are both AIR65 speakers powered?
No. The right speaker contains the stereo amplifier, while the passive left speaker connects to it with speaker cable.
Do both speakers need mains power?
No. Only the right-hand master speaker requires a mains connection.
Does the turntable include a dust cover?
Yes. A removable hinged dust cover is supplied.
How large are the AIR65 speakers?
Each enclosure measures approximately 285mm high, 170mm wide and 225mm deep.
How large is the Dual CS 429?
With its dust cover closed, it measures 435mm wide, 367mm deep and 145mm high.
How much does the turntable weigh?
Dual’s current product page and brochure give a net weight of 6.6kg.
Related Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Independent advice from experienced Hi-Fi specialists
- Complete turntable assembly and setup
- Cartridge alignment and tracking-force adjustment
- Help selecting the correct phono connection
- Bluetooth pairing and digital-source setup
- Speaker positioning and stand recommendations
- Turntable isolation and support advice
- Subwoofer integration guidance
- In-store demonstrations at participating branches
- Click and Reserve from participating stores
- Nationwide UK delivery on eligible products
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store to arrange a demonstration or discuss setting up the AIR65 and Dual CS 429 system in your room.