Dual 1219 vs. Kenwood KD-2055

[btwigg]

Hi guys I'm Brian, long time lurker first time poster.

I recently decided to upgrade my system. I purchased a Sansui 2000x which was one of the smartest buys in a long time.
Then I decided to complete the wood look by picking up a Dual 1219 and replacing my KD -2055.

Oddly enough it seems like the Kenwood is winning over the Dual.
One of the most noticable differences is the power. The sound coming from the Kenwood is just all around bigger.

The second thing I noticed was the closer the tone arm gets to the center of the record on the Dual it just starts distorting sound. The Kenwood does not have this issue.
It could be that I don't understand the settings of this turn table. Maybe it's the Stylus. I'm really not sure. Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[stereofisher]

Has the Dual been serviced?

These Duals are 40 years old and need attention. Picked up a 1219 several weeks ago. Did the following:

Disassembled, cleaned, and oiled the motor.
Cleaned out the old dried grease on the large gold gear underneath and put new grease. This could be causing the tonearm to bind up at the end of the record.
Cleaned and lubricated around the on-off switch. Mine was hanging up and staying on. It locked the motor.
Checked the stylus, you may need a new one.
Reset the counter weight and set tracking at 1.5 grams and anti skate the same.

Mine runs perfectly. If you can't do the above yourself, there are three Akers that can do it for you. Notransistors (in the New York area) Bohley (Fixmydual Illinnois) and Fred (in Calif).

If you decide to try it yourself DONT force anything on it. That's fast way to having a turntable turn to a parts unit! There is a lever on the arm for single play and stacking. Definitely don't force it. A fast way to the junk pile!!! Finally, sign up with Vinylengine, it's free for a manual. A well tuned up 1219 or 1229 sounds great and will run a long time. My 1219 is in my bedroom and is my daily player. Good luck

Eric

 

[Balifly]

Hi guys I'm Brian, long time lurker first time poster.

I recently decided to upgrade my system. I purchased a Sansui 2000x which was one of the smartest buys in a long time.
Then I decided to complete the wood look by picking up a Dual 1219 and replacing my KD -2055.

Oddly enough it seems like the Kenwood is winning over the Dual.
One of the most noticable differences is the power. The sound coming from the Kenwood is just all around bigger.

The second thing I noticed was the closer the tone arm gets to the center of the record on the Dual it just starts distorting sound. The Kenwood does not have this issue.
It could be that I don't understand the settings of this turn table. Maybe it's the Stylus. I'm really not sure. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Welcome to the AK turn table forum.

What method did you use to align the cartridge in the Dual 1219 turn table. :scratch2:

 

[sberger]

Need more info. What is the cart you're using with the Dual. Alignment is very important, as is tracking force. So it could be something as simple as that, or it could be that the Dual needs some more intensive cleaning. Tell us what you can about the Dual's history, what you have or have not done with it, and you'll get a lot more useful info. The 1219 is a great table. I have not heard the Kenwood, and it may end up being that you prefer the Kenwood's sound overall to the Dual. But at the least hear the Dual when it's near or at it's best.

 

[Montycat]

Here we have a case of apples and oranges. At least one of those fruit might be past the best before date, or at least bruised, so the taste test is not fair from the start.

The replies so far have helped a lot and basically say that the Dual might be not be working as well as it could. I have had that Kenwood (or 6) and a similar Dual (or 8) and can't really compare them unless I make sure both have the same cartridge and stylus, plus are both aligned and tuned properly. If one could compare them based on where they sit in their respective decades and turntable types the Dual probably wins. But even if you did compare them fairly and evenly you still might prefer the sound and/or function & design of the Kenwood over the Dual, and that is totally valid as well.

 

[btwigg]

Thanks for the responses team. This is what I know. I'm the third owner on this TT. I have not had it serviced nor have I done anything with it yet.
It has a Stanton 681EEE cart. I have not aligned the cartridge and did not know I had to or how to.

 

[jntit]

Do a search here on AK, for 1219 setup, there are plenty of threads, with good info.

 

[Balifly]

Thanks for the responses team. This is what I know. I'm the third owner on this TT. I have not had it serviced nor have I done anything with it yet.
It has a Stanton 681EEE cart. I have not aligned the cartridge and did not know I had to or how to.

It is quite possible that the distortion is due to improper cartridge alignment.

Have a look though the owner's manual, there is a brief section concerning cartridge alignment.

Here is a link to a free download of the owner's manual.

You have to register first before downloading.

http://www.vinylengine.com/library/dual/1219.shtml

 

[btwigg]

thanks everybody. I'm on it.