Dual 1218/1219/1228/1229 Appreciation thread

[mackat]

My 1219 is coming in the Mail
From fixmydual.com!

I want to hear what you think about them.

Where you got it, how long you have had it! Do you like it? What cart/stylus?

Thanks a lot,

MacKat

 

[ssmith3046]

I don't own a 1219 but I have bought a 701 and 1019 from Bill and I know you won't be disappointed. Enjoy your 1219.

 

[bangsezmax]

I've owned a 1229 for about 20 years. My main table for a long time, I now use it as a dedicated 78 table. Just recently picked up a 1219 that was majorly in need of some TLC (the plastic speed shifter stepped assembly had cracked). Got it up and running and it sounds wonderful.

I really like these tables. They have their little quirks (I now know how to make my own steurpimpels!), but they've got that classic idler vibe to them and they sound really solid.

To me the classic cart for this type of table is the Shure M91ED. I think those were offered as stock originally. They also sound really good with a Stanton 680-681/Pickering XV-15.

 

[goldwax]

Someone gave me a 1228 last year and though it hasn't been restored, it sounds great, even with a cheapo AT92E.

 

[classic carl]

I picked up a 1229 a couple of weeks ago. It was in great cosmetic shape, so I sent it to Bill for the treatment. I also have a 1249 that I bought new in 1975 that I'm considering sending to Bill when the 1229 returns. The 1229 came with an Acutex 312 STR cart. The previous owner had the table stored for the past 20 years.

 

[kermit z]

I really like my 1209, But I see this is not part of the fan club:scratch2:

 

[redhotvalves]

How about the 1226? I just picked one up (havent set it up yet) but i use to have a 1225 which i remember having speed control problems.

 

[NoTransistors]

The 1209 has an all-metal arm which makes it superior to the 1218/1228/and all the other 12xx series 10"ers, as they all have various bits of plastic arm parts that look like metal. Oh, the knobs are metal as well.
If only the 1209 had a bit more quiet to it.

 

[joel27]

I have a 1219 that I picked up from a local seller. It was his dad who purchased it while stationed in Germany. It was/is in perfect condition and the price was very low. It must have been cabinet kept. It had hardly any dust and a really good sounding M91ED attached. It has been one of my 2 main tables. It now has a Denon DL-160 attached and I couldn't have been happier. It would be my only table if the arm would play nice with my Denon DL-103 LOMC.

 

[Amcrebelfan]

I have a 1229 horrible hum, can't figure it out. I also have a 1219 that the arm isn't coming back to the stand when done playing, it also sometimes snaps back fast. I can't comment until I can afford to fix them. I do have a couple 1009's that I am running though, like them alot.

 

[mackat]

I think I am going to like it

 

[joel27]

I'd be surprised if you didn't like it.

 

[kermit z]

The 1209 has an all-metal arm which makes it superior to the 1218/1228/and all the other 12xx series 10"ers, as they all have various bits of plastic arm parts that look like metal. Oh, the knobs are metal as well.
If only the 1209 had a bit more quiet to it.

That is true, quiet is not a word I would use with my 1209. But I do love how mechanical it is. Flip the lever to "Start" and it gets to work:yes:

Mackat, you will like your new table

 

[bangsezmax]

I have a 1229 horrible hum, can't figure it out. I also have a 1219 that the arm isn't coming back to the stand when done playing, it also sometimes snaps back fast. I can't comment until I can afford to fix them. I do have a couple 1009's that I am running though, like them alot.

For the hum, have you tried different RCA cables? Other things to check are the connections at the headshell, the muting switch, and (of course) the ground wire.

The arm issues sound like steurpimpel problems.

 

[illinoisteve]

I love my Dual 1229 which I've had about 4 years now. We became intimately acquainted during the first weeks when I learned to clean old lube gunk, clean (and reclean) all of the audio connections, disassemble and clean and relube the motor bearings, and other loving interactions. I have used it with the Pickering XV-15 cartridge that came with it, a Shure M3D (from my first Dual love, a 1009), and a Shure M97 which is currently on it.

 

[hbrocks]

I found a 1229Q sitting on a shelf at the salvation Army for $19....
Completely scratched up dust cover, crappy looking base...
BUT, it had all the parts and it powered on .
Sent it to Bill for the once over.....
It came back to me about 2-3 weeks later sounding good as new.

Thanks Bill!

 

[petromalt]

I picked up my 1229 at the local thrift for $20. Had a V15 II on it. Sent it to Bohhey to fix it up right after purchase. Since then Ive tweaked the platter and underside following instructions provided by No Transistors and others. It plays silently, no rumble. Currently, she's sporting a Signet 5Ea with a NOS stylus. I also use a V15 III with a Jico SAS. Cracking open and lubricating the motor was the single most important tweak.

 

[Zingem]

Have enjoyed my 1219 for 3 years now. So much so that I bought another one in mint condition just in case.
After owning two 1019's which I didn't come to terms with, the 1219 was an instant succes.
Since I bought several Duals, both belt en direct driven and enjoyed them all. Yet I'm about to sell one or two of these. But the 1219's stay (as does the 704, and the 701 for the time being).
The 1219 may not be so quiet as a 701 or a 601, but it plays records in a non-fatiguing way. It's very much an allround TT. And it's to a large extent an all mechanical device. I find that intriguing.

 

[Kyluckyman]

I got back into vinyl this past Spring when I bought a nonworking 1228. Fortunately it came with all the parts but the seller damaged the base and the stylus by the way he packed the table. I got a good reimbursement for the damage. I cleaned the table of the old lubes and grease and redid everything per the service manual. Low and behold, it worked! Currently it has either a ATVS210E w/ new stylus or a Shure M97xE in it. I like how easy it is to swap carts w/ Duals.

Coming is a 1219 in original carton. No base or cover, however I will take the nice base I have on a parts table 1219 I have and go from there. Pictured is the parts 1219.

 

[Fernando]

Got my 1229 in 1973 for my college dorm. It is still in use. Early on, I got a kit of Dual approved lubricants and have kept the unit in mint condition. About 8 years ago I gave it an overhaul, replacing the main elastomers, including the steuerpimpel and collar from the arm pivot raise/lower mechanism.

Original cartridge was a Stanton 681EE. This was followed by ADC XLM, XLM MkII, ZLM and Shure V15 Type VMR. Today, the Shure wears a JICO SAS stylus.

I have other Duals including a very good performing 510, but the 1229 will last forever.