Tuch

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $50.00 from Girlfriends ex-husba

Summary:
Dual TT Model 1229

I was asked by my girlfriend in 1997 if I would look at her ex-husbands turntable and see if I could repair it. I discovered that the white metal that was used on the idler wheel linkage had became corroded inside which kept the idler wheel from being able to hit the motor capstan. This wasn't very easy to free up but it seemed to be OK after working at it for a while with some thin oil and finally getting it apart and cleaned up.

I have always admired the Dual brand tables being I am 50 years old now and I remember seeing a few throughout my younger years. I treasured my Marantz model 6300 TT but the Dual was something I always wanted so I asked my GF if her ex might be willing to sell me this one.

He wanted 50 bucks for it so I gave him the money and I had this TT connected to my stereo that's in my kitchen so it didn't get much use until a few months ago when I got back into spinning vinyl.

I purchased a new tube amp and a Bellari tube pre-amp and I was using my Marantz TT. This system is in my living room so I took the Dual from the kitchen system, hooked it up in the front room and I was totally blown away with it's sound quality. It had a Stanton 680 EEE cartridge in it, as well as my Marantz, but the sound was clearly much better than the Marantz or any of the other 4 TT's I own.

I just installed a Shure M97XE cartridge into the Dual because my 1812 Overture cannon shots were throwing the Stanton right out of the grooves. The Shure tracks it without a hitch. I think it's a great match for the Dual too.

Strengths:
Great build and sound quality. Though I don't play multiple records, it is capable of doing this.

I like the automatic feature because I don't like having to always be aware of the ending of an album. It's also nice if I don't feel like dropping the arm manually. The automatic feature works very well.

This deck is the most vibration and feed-back isolated one I have. In fact, where three other decks I tried would howl, the Dual doesn't shake, skip or make a sound other than what it is playing. I have JBL's with dual 10" woofers which are on a 65 watt tube amp along with a 150 watt sub-woofer connected. I play this system loud and this turntable is flawless in quietness and operation.

I looked into buying a newer turntable but most all look the same unless you get into the Thornes tables which start at 600 dollars and up. Finding one with automatic features is another thing. And the Dual 1229 has looks and character that is also hard to find unless you spend a lot of money.

Weaknesses:
I had to lube the idler linkage previously and later on I discovered that the linkage that allows the auto shut off feature to operate also needed oiling. This caused the motor to stay running, eventually making a scraping sound (and strobe lamp on), but because the idler wheel doesn't contact the motor capston and platter when it is in the off position, the platter doesn't turn and I didn't know the power switch wasn't being tripped to shut it off.

These linkages are both made of white metal and this metal seems to corrode inside where the linkage pin rides which keeps it from moving correctly.

I oiled the motor bearings which cured the scraping bearing noise problem.

The paper strobe disc came loose which required being re-glued into place with some adhesive glue.

The idler still works good after some cleaning and sand papering but I would like to replace it but I can't find one anywhere. It makes just a tad bit of noise when I have the amp cranked up.

I also oiled and applied a little grease to the platter spindle and bearings.

The cartridge mounting head shell design isn't something I prefer due to its complicated tiny connection pins but I think the design has something to do with how good this TT sounds. This shell also makes it more difficult if you want to change cartridges from one shell to another due to the connections can cause you to fuss with it to get them to connect properly. The head shell isn't cheap either, and the one I did buy off of E-Bay and from Germany, doesn't have quite the same 'full body' style to it as the original but it is still the same other than that.

I did mount another cartridge into this other head shell for playing 78's but I ended up just putting it back into a Pioneer TT I modified for78''s due to the head shell issues I mentioned. I felt it better not to fuss with this set-up as, if it works, don't muck it up.

I also could use an original dust cover but like the idler wheel, these are hard to find too. I'm currently using one from a Stanton TT I have which is now in the kitchen (where this Dual once was) and it is in a cabinet which keeps it protected from dust and dirt.

This deck also needed a strobe lamp (probably due to it getting stuck in the 'on' position and not knowing it) but I can't find a strobe lamp either so I used a typical neon lamp in its place which works fine.

Similar Products Used:
I own four other TT's, none sound as good as the Dual 1229.

Price Paid:  $250.00 from Audio Concepts

Summary:
After stumbling across a dozen or so reviews on the Dual 1229Q, I couldn't help but sign up and offer my sentiments for this great piece of audio gear.
Other than a few old used Garrard Turntables, this was my first 'new', off-the-shelf table. Bought it in '74, equipped with a Shure V15 III cartridge. Unfortunately, I was cash poor around 1980 and sold it. Now, 27 years (and six or eight turntables) later, I really find myself wishing I had that table back. Still, to this day (some 33 years later), I have not used a better turntable.The 1229Q just 'feels' solid. Operates quietly and reliably. Great suspension, super heavy platter. That table survived more college parties than I care to forget....and believe me, that is saying a lot.
I've seen one here or there, occasionally, and plan on picking up another when I see the right one.

Strengths:
Sound Reproduction/Play Quality; Durability; Quiet Operation; Looks; Bang For Buck; Platter Weight

Weaknesses:
Dustcover will break at the bend stresspoint on these....almost guaranteed.

Similar Products Used:
Garrard; Pioneer; BIC

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
Frustrated by not being able to walk across the room when using my Linn Sondek, I dug out my old Dual 1229. After completely dissembling the turntable, I removed all of the 'automatic' mechanisms from the beneath the table in order to make it fully manual. Next, I removed the Dual tonearm and replaced it with a NOS Grace 747, and NOS Pickering SVX3000 cartridge.

After struggling quite some time break the motor open, I cleaned it and lubed the motor bearings with Mobil One Synthetic grease. Idler wheel was in excellent shape, and I further improved it by using a rubber reconditioning agent. The platter shaft both inner and outer were lubed with the above mentioned Mobil One grease.

What was I thinking when I bought the Linn? Pace, pitch and power! Bass like no tomorrow. Soundstage is unbelievable. I bought two spares on ebay for parts, though I can't imagine ever needing any. Remarkable build quality. In time, these will be as sought after as Garrard 301;s and Thorens 124s... Buy now while you can.

Strengths:
Tremendous build quality... Dead silent operation....

Weaknesses:
None that come to mind

Similar Products Used:
Linn Sondek LP12, Aristion RD 11s

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
Frustrated by not being able to walk across the room when using my Linn Sondek, I dug out my old Dual 1229. After completely dissembling the turntable, I removed all of the 'automatic' mechanisms from the beneath the table in order to make it fully manual. Next, I removed the Dual tonearm and replaced it with a NOS Grace 747, and NOS Pickering SVX3000 cartridge.

After struggling quite some time break the motor open, I cleaned it and lubed the motor bearings with Mobil One Synthetic grease. Idler wheel was in excellent shape, and I further improved it by using a rubber reconditioning agent. The platter shaft both inner and outer were lubed with the above mentioned Mobil One grease.

What was I thinking when I bought the Linn? Pace, pitch and power! Bass like no tomorrow. Soundstage is unbelievable. I bought two spares on ebay for parts, though I can't imagine ever needing any. Remarkable build quality. In time, these will be as sought after as Garrard 301;s and Thorens 124s... Buy now while you can.

Strengths:
Tremendous build quality... Dead silent operation....

Weaknesses:
None that come to mind

Similar Products Used:
Linn Sondek LP12, Aristion RD 11s

Quietlymknnoise

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.33 of 5, 6.00 votes

Price Paid:  $100.00 from Audio club Germany "

Summary:
I have Listened to my CD-4 Records for several years. I have just taken it to Adopt-A-Dual for a tune up. I know my Ghost will be able to play this turntable after me.

Strengths:
The best turntable you can find.