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Dual TT decisions...

wphiggins

wphiggins

Active Member
I’m really hunting a Dual auto. Not only do I think they’re cool as hell, they’ll fit nicely into a console I’m upgrading.

Found a 1229 that I could get for $250 but the auto start is clunky. Herky-jerky, doesn’t start at the beginning of the record, drops hard. Otherwise seemingly in good shape. I decided to pass, offering $100 as is. They denied, came back with how “for parts/repair” listings on EBay are selling for $200-$250, yadda yadda.

Then I came across a 1019 for $80. Thoughts on this one? Assuming it’s working, what’s the value at that price?
 
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The 1229 is quite high, (considering it needs servicing). The 1019 is also a great TT. Providing it is properly functioning, and with a decent matching cartridge, $80.00 seems reasonable.
 
That 1229 needs a full service. Not difficult, but time intensive (I just finished up a 1219 this afternoon and I've done a couple 1229 in the past). Unless the table is completely mint cosmetically it's overpriced. In general anyone who quotes eBay prices isn't worth dealing with. For reference there's a recently serviced 1229 on CL near me for $150.

The 1019 isn't bad, it's pretty stripped-down by Dual standards (no cuing, no anti-skate, etc.), but that also means less to go wrong. It would probably still benefit from some cleaning and lubrication though.
 
RossW said:
The 1019 isn't bad, it's pretty stripped-down by Dual standards (no cuing, no anti-skate, etc.), but that also means less to go wrong. It would probably still benefit from some cleaning and lubrication though.
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Slight correction - the 1019 has cuing and anti-skate. It's fully automatic, has a dynamically balanced tone arm, and a 7.5lb platter. It's not stripped down, it was the top of the line Dual at the time. According to Dualdoctor, "The Dual 1019 without doubt is duals finest turntable they ever built."

About service - there are only two kinds of Duals, those that were serviced, or those that need service. :)

@wphiggins good luck with your search! Where are you located?
 
Johnny_Law said:
Slight correction - the 1019 has cuing and anti-skate. It's fully automatic, has a dynamically balanced tone arm, and a 7.5lb platter. It's not stripped down, it was the top of the line Dual at the time. According to Dualdoctor, "The Dual 1019 without doubt is duals finest turntable they ever built."

About service - there are only two kinds of Duals, those that were serviced, or those that need service. :)

@wphiggins good luck with your search! Where are you located?
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I’m in the DFW, TX area

Guy sent me a vid of the 1019. All the auto functions seem to work smoothly. Although it’s missing a stylus so he would catch it before it dropped so as not to ruin the Barry White record he had spinning, so I couldn’t really tell how harshly it dropped. I offered $60, he’s holding firm at $80. But then I have to replace the stylus or the cart altogether
 
wphiggins said:
I’m in the DFW, TX area

Guy sent me a vid of the 1019. All the auto functions seem to work smoothly. Although it’s missing a stylus so he would catch it before it dropped so as not to ruin the Barry White record he had spinning, so I couldn’t really tell how harshly it dropped. I offered $60, he’s holding firm at $80. But then I have to replace the stylus or the cart altogether
Click to expand...

Does it have a sled? Grab a AT VM95E for $50 and your good to go. $130 total is not to bad.
 
MER71 said:
Does it have a sled? Grab a AT VM95E for $50 and your good to go. $130 total is not to bad.
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Sled? Like the original head shell? Yes. I actually have an unopened VM95E I bought for another table that I’m going to sell. Was about to return it... Maybe it’s fate, haha
 
The 1019 (and other Duals) uses a headshell insert ("sled") to hold the cartridge, which slides into the headshell bracket and gets locked in place. They are horribly designed and every one I've seen, I've at least had to solder the leads to the tabs. (It'll make sense if you look at one.) There are also aftermarket sleds either 3d printed or molded that you can pick up for ~$30.

If the seller has a cartridge on the 1019 you're looking at, that must mean it at least still has the sled. Sometimes you'll find cheaper worn out Duals for sale missing the sled entirely.
 
I bought a 1019 locally for $75 a month or so back, it is replacing a 1009f that has some issues. The 1019 was missing the sled and cartridge, but my 1009f uses the same sled so that was not an issue. This one has been recently lubed, the tonearm wiring was replaced/upgraded, and it is in a heavy custom plinth. I don't have the changer spindle for either one, but I would not use it anyway. I had a Dual 1228 and a Dual 506 in the past, I'm liking the small idler drive Duals.
 
Great! One other item worth mentioning - the idler wheel is rubber and it may have been hardened over time. If so, you can either rehab it or replace with a rebuilt one. If you could get eyes on it before buying that would be ideal, but the platter is held in place with a C-clamp ring so you might not be able to get a look at it before buying. You may already be well aware of this if you've been searching online for info about Dual tables, so apologies if I'm preaching to the choir.
 
Johnny_Law said:
Great! One other item worth mentioning - the idler wheel is rubber and it may have been hardened over time. If so, you can either rehab it or replace with a rebuilt one. If you could get eyes on it before buying that would be ideal, but the platter is held in place with a C-clamp ring so you might not be able to get a look at it before buying. You may already be well aware of this if you've been searching online for info about Dual tables, so apologies if I'm preaching to the choir.
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Nah man, I’m a newb so this is great info! Appreciate it!
 
Good get, hope you get a lot of enjoyment. If there is an issue with auto return, it is the famous steurpimpel....fairly easy fix.
 
jbailey930 said:
Good get, hope you get a lot of enjoyment. If there is an issue with auto return, it is the famous steurpimpel....fairly easy fix.
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Ugh I am a total 100% bummer in this thread, sorry

135.png


... the 1019 doesn't have a steurimpel.

Here's what the linkage uses to rotate the tone arm. (This is actually my latest 1015F but it's the same on a 1019.) You can see the sprung pin instead of the steuerpimpel. (The larger sprung pin ... the smaller one is used to stop the arm at the right drop point.)

IMG_20200509_154723.jpg
 
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The 1019 is my favourite Dual, and I've had dozens from the brand. It's nearly all metal construction (not plastic), has that great 7.5lb platter that spins forever and once you get a good "sled" it's pretty foolproof. The aftermarket Best Audio brand on eBay are great.
 
So after picking it up, the sled is loaded with a Shure V15II cart sans stylus. I know this question has likely been asked/answered on this forum countless times, but some of the threads are super old and I don’t know what is still made/available. But anyway, what’s a good replacement for this stylus. Ideally in the neighborhood of $50.

Or I have a brand new ATVM95E that I recently bought that I could slap on there. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance!
 
The original stylus was the VN15E, there are plenty of replacement options in the $50 range, as well as more premium options (JICO being the most well known) from $85 up to $200.

The V15 is an iconic cart and is quite commonly found on Duals (I've got a Type III on my 1219). It is worthwhile to check the coils for continuity before investing in a new stylus, but assuming they check out I would suggest:
https://www.jico-stylus.com/product/vn15e/
 
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