• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

New Cartridge for Dual 1229Q

Ben Rothman

Ben Rothman

Active Member
Hello, I am in the market for a new cartridge for my turntable. My setup currently consists of a fully restored Dual 1229Q and a fully restored Pioneer SX-1010. The 1229Q currently has a Grado Blue Prestige 2. It sounds really good, but I am thinking I want to upgrade. What cartridges will work well with the dual? I was thinking a 2m black but I read somewhere that someone had to cut up the sled to make it work and that's not something I plan on doing. My "requirements" for my new cartridge would be that it has to be an MM and it has to be still supported by the company that makes it. I want the ability to easily get a new stylus whenever I need.
 
Register to hide this ad
Obvious choices would be vintage Shure's, but I have a Stanton 881 that's really nice sounding, and the output is higher.
 
Vintage Shures too. Have Shure V15 type III on my 1219. Has a Jico HE. Second 1219 has a M55 with a Jico HE. My 1229 has a Shure M91ED. All work well. The M55 is high output.
 
stereofisher said:
Vintage Shures too. Have Shure V15 type III on my 1219. Has a Jico HE. Second 1219 has a M55 with a Jico HE. My 1229 has a Shure M91ED. All work well. The M55 is high output.
Click to expand...
I have a shure v15 type 3 and but I need new stylus and was hoping something more modern would sound as good. Any modern-ish options available?
 
Another option is the Ortofon OM series... Used an OM-5 or OM10 on my old 1216, then on my 1009SK, until I found a period correct Ortofon M20FL. The OM series carts do look a little odd on the old Dual tonearms, but they sound quite good.
 
Ben Rothman said:
I have a shure v15 type 3 and but I need new stylus and was hoping something more modern would sound as good. Any modern-ish options available?
Click to expand...

I have a dual 1229 with a V15 Type 3 . I replaced the stylus with a Jico SAS Boron and it is a great combination.There certainly are modern that would be as good... but IMO would cost a lot more than just putting the SAS on what you already have.
 
db12 said:
I have a dual 1229 with a V15 Type 3 . I replaced the stylus with a Jico SAS Boron and it is a great combination.There certainly are modern that would be as good... but IMO would cost a lot more than just putting the SAS on what you already have.
Click to expand...
I think I will go with the new JICO stylus for my 1229Q. Another question I have, is that I want to get a new sled for my dual so I can keep my Grado currently mounted. I see that pat's audio on eBay has them. Do you know if they are any good?
 
I have steered you right in the past, so time to get steered again.
Get a new molded USA sled from BEST AUDIO only.
Pat always printed them and fit was not great.
Then a person in china copied the staggered pin design I helped the owner of Best Audio perfect.
So now, just about everyone is buying the china copy by the bag full and reselling the crap.
I may be incorrect, but Pat has listed the china copies of Best Audio for resale. Shame on him.
 
Last edited:
NoTransistors said:
I have steered you right in the past, so time to get steered again.
Get a new molded USA sled from BEST AUDIO only.
Pat always printed them and fit was not great.
Then a person in china copied the staggered pin design I helped the owner of Best Audio perfect.
So now, just about everyone is buying the china copy by the bag full and reselling the crap.
I may be incorrect, but Pat has listed the china copies of Best Audio for resale. Shame on him.
Click to expand...
Long time no see my friend! I could you provide a link to the sled? Also what’s your opinion on the cartridge? Right now I’m using a grado blue prestige 2 on the 1229Q, paired with my restored sx-1010. Should I Get something modern, get a JICO SAS stylus for my Shure v15 Type 3
 
NoTransistors said:
I have steered you right in the past, so time to get steered again.
Get a new molded USA sled from BEST AUDIO only.
Pat always printed them and fit was not great.
Then a person in china copied the staggered pin design I helped the owner of Best Audio perfect.
So now, just about everyone is buying the china copy by the bag full and reselling the crap.
I may be incorrect, but Pat has listed the china copies of Best Audio for resale. Shame on him.
Click to expand...
I found this one on eBay and it says its "USA Made" is this the correct one? https://www.ebay.com/itm/USA-Made-B...721296?hash=item4d8948a550:g:oBcAAOSw709ejhUG
 
Yes it is.
Going to sleep now. Will tend to your cartridge question Sunday.
I an getting a pair of Martin Logans in afternoon. Yipee!
 
Ben Rothman said:
Hello, I am in the market for a new cartridge for my turntable. My setup currently consists of a fully restored Dual 1229Q and a fully restored Pioneer SX-1010. The 1229Q currently has a Grado Blue Prestige 2. It sounds really good, but I am thinking I want to upgrade. What cartridges will work well with the dual? I was thinking a 2m black but I read somewhere that someone had to cut up the sled to make it work and that's not something I plan on doing. My "requirements" for my new cartridge would be that it has to be an MM and it has to be still supported by the company that makes it. I want the ability to easily get a new stylus whenever I need.
Click to expand...

I'm wondering why one would have to cut up the sled to use a 2M Black ? Anyone ?
 
NoTransistors said:
I have steered you right in the past, so time to get steered again.
Get a new molded USA sled from BEST AUDIO only.
Pat always printed them and fit was not great.
Then a person in china copied the staggered pin design I helped the owner of Best Audio perfect.
So now, just about everyone is buying the china copy by the bag full and reselling the crap.
I may be incorrect, but Pat has listed the china copies of Best Audio for resale. Shame on him.
Click to expand...


Ben Rothman said:
I found this one on eBay and it says its "USA Made" is this the correct one? https://www.ebay.com/itm/USA-Made-B...721296?hash=item4d8948a550:g:oBcAAOSw709ejhUG
Click to expand...

You can go right to eBay and search “Best Audio cartridge sled” and it will come up. Have several and they work really well. It’s cool Seth (notransistors) had a say in its design. As for a new cart, I tried a Audio Technica AT95 on a 1219 I fixed up last spring. It’s a little brighter in the hi end than my Shures. Was around $50.
 
Ben!!!

The Shure V15 III with factory stylus is what I use on my Q much of the time. Grado just is not my cup of tea. While a JICO on the Type III will sound fantastic, be prepared for it being a bit bright, as JICO does not use a piano wire support to tune their Type III replacement. Your stereo and room might be just fine with this. Lots of variables.
 
Last edited:
stereofisher said:
You can go right to eBay and search “Best Audio cartridge sled” and it will come up. Have several and they work really well. It’s cool Seth (notransistors) had a say in its design. As for a new cart, I tried a Audio Technica AT95 on a 1219 I fixed up last spring. It’s a little brighter in the hi end than my Shures. Was around $50.
Click to expand...
Good to know other people have good experiences with the sled. I definitely plan on picking up a couple of them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom