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How do these tables stack up against my Dual 1019?

LenniePaz

LenniePaz

Active Member
I have a really nice Dual 1019, but I'm always looking around for turntables that might be better. There's a few available locally, so are any of these better than my Dual?

Thorens TD160
Kenwood KD-550
Technics SL-1950
Realistic LAB-400
Technics SL-1900
Technics SL-1350
Technics SL-23
Pioneer PL-117D
 
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Better is subjective, but you will definitely notice a different presentation from DD and belt-drives vs. your idler-driven Dual.
 
Dual 1019s are very good turntables. I don't see anything on that list which would blow it out of the water, though the Thorens and Kenwood are probably the strongest contenders. The PL-117D and the SL-23 are probably the weakest options, and the other Technics ones are all respectable, but not their most desirable models.
 
The Dual 1019 is a much praised TT. I would think the top 6 on that list will better it. Lets face it the 1019 was first made in 1965 there is much better TTs on our list IMHO. If you are happy with the 1019 you have and it sounds as good to you as any on the list stick with it and enjoy.
 
LenniePaz said:
I have a really nice Dual 1019, but I'm always looking around for turntables that might be better. There's a few available locally, so are any of these better than my Dual?

Thorens TD160
Kenwood KD-550
Technics SL-1950
Realistic LAB-400
Technics SL-1900
Technics SL-1350
Technics SL-23
Pioneer PL-117D
Click to expand...

The Dual is such a classic and competent machine... not just a table. The others here and there might have better specs but the Dual is competent and such a pleasure to use. Better would require quite a leap. I'd keep and appreciate the Dual... assuming in proper working order.
 
spicer said:
The Dual is such a classic and competent machine... not just a table. The others here and there might have better specs but the Dual is competent and such a pleasure to use. Better would require quite a leap. I'd keep and appreciate the Dual... assuming in proper working order.
Click to expand...
100% functional, and in just about mint condition. The only slight complaint, would be I don't have the stacking spindle.
 

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LenniePaz said:
100% functional, and in just about mint condition. The only slight complaint, would be I don't have the stacking spindle.
Click to expand...

Nice. Stacking spindles do come up once in a while. If I were to customize anything about it... players of most manufacture at the time... is a hinged dust cover. Dust covers for what ever reason didn't come into their own till a number of years later, especially with automatics... I'm avoiding the word changer.
 
spicer said:
Nice. Stacking spindles do come up once in a while. If I were to customize anything about it... players of most manufacture at the time... is a hinged dust cover. Dust covers for what ever reason didn't come into their own till a number of years later, especially with automatics... I'm avoiding the word changer.
Click to expand...
I do have a mint dust cover for it, but unfortunately it's not hinged. The cover is so tall, since it's a changer, so if I hinge it, I'll have to keep it too far from the wall, for it to be able to open.
 
LenniePaz said:
I have a really nice Dual 1019, but I'm always looking around for turntables that might be better. There's a few available locally, so are any of these better than my Dual?

Thorens TD160
Kenwood KD-550
Technics SL-1950
Realistic LAB-400
Technics SL-1900
Technics SL-1350
Technics SL-23
Pioneer PL-117D
Click to expand...

"The Rock" Kenwood KD-500 was their TOTL deck in it's day, sold sans arm leaving the buyer to source one of the boutique arms of the era, if found will often be sporting the legendary Infinity Black Widow, Grace G707, Mayware Formula 4 tonearms etc.

The KD-550 is identical, only difference it has a tonearm supplied by Kenwood installed, I've heard it's quite nice.

Nothing wrong with owning two.......or seven decks eh:biggrin:
 
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LenniePaz said:
I do have a mint dust cover for it, but unfortunately it's not hinged. The cover is so tall, since it's a changer, so if I hinge it, I'll have to keep it too far from the wall, for it to be able to open.
Click to expand...

Yes, they came with covers but not hinged, have to remove it. The auto spindle would raise the profile but design the cover for the single play and change it out when shutting off and closing the cover... leave cover up during automatic play. Imagining here... if I was at Dual I would have made that part of the design, it would have sold tables in my opinion. I have a Dual 1245 automatic with an excellent hinged dust cover which influenced my decision to buy it... has little thumb wheels to adjust tension.
 
spicer said:
Yes, they came with covers but not hinged, have to remove it. The auto spindle would raise the profile but design the cover for the single play and change it out when shutting off and closing the cover... leave cover up during automatic play. Imagining here... if I was at Dual I would have made that part of the design, it would have sold tables in my opinion. I have a Dual 1245 automatic with an excellent hinged dust cover which influenced my decision to buy it... has little thumb wheels to adjust tension.
Click to expand...
Is it a factory dust cover?
 
LenniePaz said:
I wonder if I could find a lower profile dust cover, and hinge it? Any idea if another Dual hinged dust cover would fit my 1019, since I don't have a stacker?
Click to expand...

I don't have any idea but I'm sure someone somewhere has addressed it...probably right here on AK. Hopefully someone with knowledge will reply. There are some fine craftsmen here who might have figured out a custom solution.
 
I'm pretty sure any small chassis Dual plinth/dust cover would fit. For example something meant for a 1209/1218 I think would fit but not a 1219/1229.
 
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