Dual 1219 or 1229?
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NoTransistors
Dual Turntables Super-Restorer
The first 3/4 of the Dual 1219 made had three metal knobs up front. When they switched to plastic, the speed knob became a bomb ready to fly apart. The 1229 has a strobe, and because those three front knobs are guaranteed to be plastic, I would stick with a 1219 [metal knob unit only]. Easy to tell knobs are metal. They are painted flat black with raw metal on top. Plastic knobs are gloss black plastic with a bit of silver paint on top.
Specs are the same, in spite of what you have been reading.
If the turntable is working properly, it will be quiet.
Specs are the same, in spite of what you have been reading.
If the turntable is working properly, it will be quiet.
Other than the material, are the knobs otherwise the same?
NoTransistors
Dual Turntables Super-Restorer
The plastic speed knob on the 1219 has no metal equivalent.
The speed knobs on the 1229[Q] are a bit sturdier, but will not fit any 1219.
ALSO, The plastic front knobs sometimes scrape against the aluminum trim piece, digging an arc into the thing.
ekmanning5
Time has told me...
I use a Fix My Dual restored 1229 as my daily turntable and have not had a problem with it. That being said I've not had to use any of the three knobs in quite a while. Once you get the TT dialed in you can just start and stop it by engaging the tone arm.
illinoisteve
Super Member
Dual would have considered the 1229 a more advanced model, but the 1219 seems to have similar popularity among users. I don't know how big a deal the plastic knobs are, unless you're refurbishing a Dual and break one by forcing it, before you've unstuck things frozen from old lube. I suppose there is always the worry that somebody previously forced it or mistreated it and it's on the way to being broken....
If I had a 1229 and a 1219 in front of me and could examine and test them as carefully as I wanted, I'd pick the one in the best working condition, and ignore the model numbers. If both needed refurbishing (not at all uncommon for Duals of this age), I might go for the one with fewer plastic knobs, especially if I were going to do it. In actuality the one Dual I have completely refurbished is a 1229; I just didn't have any knob trouble.
If I were going to hire out the refurbishing, I think I'd go with the one I liked the look of best...if the level of work needed seemed comparable.
If I had a 1229 and a 1219 in front of me and could examine and test them as carefully as I wanted, I'd pick the one in the best working condition, and ignore the model numbers. If both needed refurbishing (not at all uncommon for Duals of this age), I might go for the one with fewer plastic knobs, especially if I were going to do it. In actuality the one Dual I have completely refurbished is a 1229; I just didn't have any knob trouble.
If I were going to hire out the refurbishing, I think I'd go with the one I liked the look of best...if the level of work needed seemed comparable.
NoTransistors
Dual Turntables Super-Restorer
I have always thought that the 1219 is quieter. Enough of them have passed through my repair 'facility' to figure that this is not my imagination. Might be the better platter. Has ribs like that well-known birth control device. The ribs were removed for the strobe disc.
beatcomber
AK Member
The one that you re-habbed for me is still doing great. The noise level is very low.
jbailey930
AK Member
I just got a 1218 from Bohhey - aka Bill at fixmydual.com for my daughter is who going to start spinning some vinyl. My testing has confirmed this a very quiet TT using a beige Grado cart.
NoTransistors
Dual Turntables Super-Restorer
Glenn, I thought that your delivering a Dual from Boston was a big trip.
Well, a customer from Pittsburg delivered his stuff a few months ago, and is returning to pick it up tomorrow.
Well, a customer from Pittsburg delivered his stuff a few months ago, and is returning to pick it up tomorrow.
illinoisteve
Super Member
I think this is a very interesting point, and I would trust Seth's (notransistors) observations and experience about something like that.
In any case, if you do find any Dual that you want to have refurbished, or want to inquire about what good refurbished ones might be available you should talk to Seth (notransistors) and/or Bill (bohhey on AK and at fixmydual). They are two of the top Dual techs around. And you can search their old posts about Duals here at AK and see how smart they are, that way too. Ha, ha!
