Dual 1224 vs Dual 1229, what to choose ?

[liemjerry]

Hi Friends

Please give suggestion and comparison betweem Dual 1224 and Dual 1229, which one more good in feature, sound quality and rigidity of machine?

Thank you

 

[olddude55]

1229.
Not to say a 1224 won't sound good, but the 1219 and 1229 decks were some of the best Dual made.
If you're looking at a 1229, be sure to check "single-multi" lever at the base of the tonearm. If it's frozen DON'T FORCE IT!!! You could break a very difficult to replace part.
If the lever is moving freely but the tone arm doesn't move with it, that difficult to replace part is already broken.

 

[liemjerry]

1229.
Not to say a 1224 won't sound good, but the 1219 and 1229 decks were some of the best Dual made.
If you're looking at a 1229, be sure to check "single-multi" lever at the base of the tonearm. If it's frozen DON'T FORCE IT!!! You could break a very difficult to replace part.
If the lever is moving freely but the tone arm doesn't move with it, that difficult to replace part is already broken.

thanks for suggestion
is there any noticeable different sound quality if we play same track between 1229 vs 1224 ?
what is weak point of 1224 comparing to 1229 ?
Thank you

 

[Dadbar]

The Dual 1224 has a 10 inch platter vs. the full sized 12 in platter of the 1229. The 1229 will have a much better arm as well. The 1229 when new would have had better specs (wow/flutter/rumble)- there is not much of a contest unless you really want to have a smaller unit to put in a tight space.

 

[olddude55]

I've never had a 1224 in my possession but it's close to the 1209 and I have a 1209.
The small, lighter platter transmits a bit more noise. The tonearm is shorter, which means slightly more tracking error.
I'm giving my 1209 to a friend in need (got it for free so I'm passing it along). Put a Shure M91 cart with a cheap elliptical replacement stylus in it and it sounds damned good.
The choice between 1224 and 1229 is a choice between good Dual and great Dual.

 

[illinoisteve]

If you can get a really good price on a 1224 in good working condition, and you can verify that by operating it and listening to it, you might still want to buy it. Perhaps it has had crucial maintenance done on it already if it is running very well, and somebody else paid for that. If condition is iffy, then be a real cheapskate. A 1224 might not be as good as the top 1200 series Duals, but that doesn't mean it's crap either.

 

[jcamero]

Plus a lot of support, (technical), here on AK for the 1229.

 

[NickDanger55]

The 1229. No contest. I owned a 1229 for many trouble free years. One friend had the 1224 and always commented that the 1229 was quieter than his 1224. When I upgraded I sold the 1229 to him.

 

[liemjerry]

The 1229. No contest. I owned a 1229 for many trouble free years. One friend had the 1224 and always commented that the 1229 was quieter than his 1224. When I upgraded I sold the 1229 to him.

both of them using idle wheeler but it seems 1229 more better than 1224 ?
or maybe your friend's 1224 must be serviced/defect ?
But I see there's a lot differences between them, the easiest I see is platter dimension/diameter, strobe function

 

[Go Giants]

I have a PE 3044...basically the same as a Dual 1224. It sounds surprising good.

 

[stereofisher]

While not bad, I would get the 1229. Serviced several 1224s. Not bad but I am married to 11219/1229s. Three 1219s and a 1229. Twelve in platter, bigger motor, and better arm. If you get the 1229 be aware of the single-multi selector located at the bottom of the arm. It raises and lowere the arm. Up on multi stack records and low for single playDO NOT FORCE IT if it doesn’t move. Breaking it will wreck the arm. My first one is stuck on single. Since I don’t stack records, I left it alone when I serviced it back in 2014. My second 1219 and the 1229 both work. Do have a third 1219 the the selector was broken. Arm is in the multi position. Plays well. Sadly, I have arthritis in my hands. I avoid arms and cues. Too many small parts. Either model once serviced will run a long time without issues. Hope this helps,

Eric

 

[Go Giants]

Playing the PE got me interested in idler turntables. I'm looking for a fully serviced Dual 1219 now.

 

[stereofisher]

Playing the PE got me interested in idler turntables. I'm looking for a fully serviced Dual 1219 now.

you will like the 1219. Spent all day today (Mon) listening to my shop 1219’ listening and recording a CD. No yardwork due to Hurricane “Hank.” Get one serviced and it will last a long time! This is my shop 1219. Have three systems each have a 1219.

Eric

 

[Go Giants]

Grabbed a 1229 recently. Came with a Shure Premier cart...basically an M95. Unknown hours on it.

It sounded good, but I was getting a fair amount of IGD.

Switched to a Audio Technica at-15xe. Major improvement in sound and tracking. IGD is gone.

I forget how good that AT 15XE is. It kicked up sound quality a notch or two. It seems well matched for the Dual.

 

[stereofisher]

Grabbed a 1229 recently. Came with a Shure Premier cart...basically an M95. Unknown hours on it.

It sounded good, but I was getting a fair amount of IGD.


Switched to a Audio Technica at-15xe. Major improvement in sound and tracking. IGD is gone.

I forget how good that AT 15XE is. It kicked up sound quality a notch or two. It seems well matched for the Dual.[/QUOTE

The AT line matches up with the Dual 1200 series. Have an AT11 on my 1219 replaced a tired Shure M91ED. Sounded really good. It was not too bright. The Shure stylus was gone and new LPs were noisy.
Found 2 EVGs. Replaced the Shure stylus. These carts are close. Both mounted to Best sleds. OP enjoy!
Eric