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Dual 622 Headshell Replacement

soundguy9

soundguy9

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
Hello All,
I recently purchased a Dual 622 which was in a good cosmetic condition but suffered from sitting idle for many years. I carried out the regular maintenance work and it came alive. It is a gem of direct drive TTs that holds the speed just perfect.

The current cartridge is a DN 155e and it is in a working condition. I wanted to test the sound with different cartridges from my collection but the 622 uses the Ortofon proprietary stylus as it does not take the Dual sled.
I found out that there was an adapter for converting it which is no longer available but, there are some aftermarket solutions available for it today.

I was searching online to see if anyone has successfully replaced the headshell from a similar turntable such as a 505, 510 or 704 in the past but I didn’t find anything on this. I have a few tonearms in my spare parts and wanted to share this with the experts for your good advice before messing with the wires. In my opinion, a 704 headshell should be lighter than a 622 headshell + the adapter.

The question is,
1- Should I swap out the tonearm with a different headshell or just the headshell?
2- Could the headshell be swapped out for a model that takes the Dual sled?
3- Which headshell or tonearm would be the best candidate for this job?

Please let me know what are your thoughts. I look forward hearing from you before taking it apart. Cheers
 

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You are correct, I need to do more homework to understand it better. I would have to check the tonearm specs on the different models to see if they are the same length as the tonearm in the 622. The geometry needs to be maintained and stay the same.

I replaced the RCA cable today and the sound is just amazing. I am having a second thought about the need to try the standard cartridges now.

On the other hand, I found the original adapter from a seller that was parting out a Dual 1264 and the adapter was included with the parts so I purchased it. I will definitely try the adapter route before making any significant changes to the unit.

What a sweet turntable. It may have a slight edge over my 701 but I don’t know the age of the stylus on the 701 so it may not be a fair comparison.
 
Below in the Similar threads is a 622 post on 29 sep 2022 about what you need to convert to standard 1/2” mount cart.
 
Go the adaptor route. Right now you have a working Dual. A good thing. Tonearms have many small parts. Wiring is also not fun. My latest is a 1219. Broken arm. Was able to get a replacement that the sled connects to. The tiny circut board was touchy and did not want to stay where it was put. Works but the board is a little loose. Enjoy your new addition.
 
+1 for the 1/2" adapter.
Some time ago I replaced the headshell in a Dual 506 because the adapter was difficult to find in my country (and expensive to import), but if you can find one, go for the adapter.
 
stereofisher said:
Go the adaptor route. Right now you have a working Dual. A good thing. Tonearms have many small parts. Wiring is also not fun. My latest is a 1219. Broken arm. Was able to get a replacement that the sled connects to. The tiny circut board was touchy and did not want to stay where it was put. Works but the board is a little loose. Enjoy your new addition.
Click to expand...
Put a smear of hot glue on the back side.
 
If you use the 1/2 adapter and add a different cartridge you will have to add a weight to the tonearm weight to compensate. Last conversion I performed, I popped the aluminum cap off the counter weight and added a large washer with a small piece of double sided tape. Anyways.....it is something that you will need to be aware of.
 
SmileyFaceEQ said:
If you use the 1/2 adapter and add a different cartridge you will have to add a weight to the tonearm weight to compensate. Last conversion I performed, I popped the aluminum cap off the counter weight and added a large washer with a small piece of double sided tape. Anyways.....it is something that you will need to be aware of.
Click to expand...
Yes, I gave it some thought as well. I am still waiting for the adapter to arrive. There is a counter weight with the extra weight attached from the bay. The original weight is also available for purchase.
Double sided 3M tape with a brass washer is also a good idea, thank you.
 
Hello Everyone, the adapter arrived and I placed it on the headshell without any issues. It is the original Dual made adapter.
I installed an AT-3600L to start the experience. It is not a heavy cartridge and there is still some room for the counter-weigth under the dustcover so there was no surprise there. I do have a counter weight with the extra weight attached in the mail now but didn't have to use it yet.

On the low side of things, the unit started acting up with the sound absent in the left channel which I traced it to a dirty contact on the mute switch. The switch had been previously wipped clean with DeOxit so it was not omitted but it had decided that the cleaning was not sufficient. Anyhow, after a few days of fiedling with the unit the left channel is back and the sound is very good again.

Here is a question for all the experts, Q: I installed the new standard cartridge so that the needled is approximately in contact with the vinyl in the same area as the original needle and cartridge. But I don't have the alignment tool that was supposed to be used with the 1/2" adapter. Does anyone know how far I should mount the standard cartrige awary from the tonearm?

Thanks
 
soundguy9 said:
Hello Everyone, the adapter arrived and I placed it on the headshell without any issues. It is the original Dual made adapter.
I installed an AT-3600L to start the experience. It is not a heavy cartridge and there is still some room for the counter-weigth under the dustcover so there was no surprise there. I do have a counter weight with the extra weight attached in the mail now but didn't have to use it yet.

On the low side of things, the unit started acting up with the sound absent in the left channel which I traced it to a dirty contact on the mute switch. The switch had been previously wipped clean with DeOxit so it was not omitted but it had decided that the cleaning was not sufficient. Anyhow, after a few days of fiedling with the unit the left channel is back and the sound is very good again.

Here is a question for all the experts, Q: I installed the new standard cartridge so that the needled is approximately in contact with the vinyl in the same area as the original needle and cartridge. But I don't have the alignment tool that was supposed to be used with the 1/2" adapter. Does anyone know how far I should mount the standard cartrige awary from the tonearm?

Thanks
Click to expand...
Put the screws 1/2 way in the slots and square to the sled. This is the position all premounted fixed clip style carts came like m75 etc...

Or

Just use an alignment print out from the internet. Pick one and align like one would for a standard cartrige install.
 
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