Dual Turntables

[sandawa]

Back in the '80s, Dual of Germany was a major turntable brand that fought Japanese imports in Europe and the US. While Thorens was more of German high-end brand, Dual was for mass to middle-end markets. It was a leader in technology, however, and was often credited with its much improved gimbal suspension system adopted by many brands as well as the ultra low mass straight tonearm. Such cartridge brands as Shure and Ortofon even built specialized cartridges for Dual turntables back then.

Dual survived the '80s when its contemporaries such as BSR and Garrard (UK), and Lenco (Switzerland) eventually closed shop. The story goes that Dual and Rega finally recovered the European market from Japanese domination with the Dual 5000 and a comparable Rega model. With the popularity of the CD, Dual went under and later bought by another German firm, then partnered with Ortofon, a Danish brand, for worldwide marketing.

In the Philippines, Duals were highly sought-after among audio enthusiasts in the '80s compared with Japanese brands. I sold something like close to a dozen Dual units of different models when I tried weekend audio trading in Diliman back then. It was generally used as second unit to a Linn, a Thorens, a Revox, a Rega, or an AR among Manila's audiophiles. If you look closely inside each unit, Dual's mechanism would be comparatively easy to repair.

This thread is for this turntable brand which is still quite popular in other audio websites. Dual remains alive in Audio Karma and has the biggest collection of photos in Vinyl Engine's gallery. Outside of Vinyl Engine photos, a Dual collector's website is also a good info source for the brand's turntable models: hometown.aol.de/alflanger/

I have two Dual models, 1219 and 621, still working. The 1219, made in late '60s a few years after the 1019 (contemporary of Thorens 124 - sold mine a long time ago) was once mentioned as the first truly hi-fi changer. My unit came from an Australian who served as member of the ADB board in mid-80s. I'm posting photos of my 1219 in the meantime, and the 621 later.


front - the European look remains unmatched even by some new production decks. it was said that the 1219's original wood came from Germany's Black Forest.


diagonal view - the tonearm is straight and in the '80s turned into a thin low-mass type with Ortofon special cartridge that could accurately track warped records with as low as 0.5 gram tracking force.


the gimbal suspension system is described as a Teutonic engineering marvel. the entire system could be raised when used as changer (with the tall spindle that could hold several records)

[sandawa]

I believe there are other Dual owners there who don't want to part with their units. It would be nice to share photos of those gems - especially those still in tip top shape - through this thread. Aside from the 1219, a multiplay/changer, I also own a 621, which came out in mid-70s I believe before the company introduced the ULM series.

Locally available Duals in the '80s were mostly imported from the US, thus the familiar United Audio (Dual excl. distributor in the US) casing and the 120-volt line. My 1219 had the original German casing since it came from Australia. Units sold here then came from Clark or Subic as well as from garage sales of expats in Forbes, Dasma, and other exclusive villages. When the European market was flooded with cheap Japanese TT imports in late '70s, the Europeans brought their unsold entry-level 60's to '70s models to Asia.

In 1980, my first turntable was a Dual 1215, made in late '60s (1219 was top of the line in that series) bought at P600 (or was it P900?) from Deeco in Raon when I got my first X-mas bonus. Higher models were not available, however, in the local market. Among other European brands sold at such low price during that time were Lenco, BSR, Garrard, and Philips. I thought the Duals looked and performed best.

Anyway, as promised, I'm posting photos of my Dual 621:


front view - notice the sleek look, advanced back then compared with other brands


top view - the layout is similar to the 1219 but with updates on design of control components


diagonal view - i like this angle a lot, don't know why


tonearm assembly - including the gimbal suspension which was updated and looks very similar to the gimbal design of Technics in '80s. the arm went slim with the ULM during the '80s. Technics also adopted the slim straight tonearm (instead of the old S-shape) in mid-80s i think, with the SLM2


underneath the 621 is German mechanical and electronics technology

[narayan]

bro, thanks for the well guided trip down the audio memory lane ganda pa ng mga duals mo.

i remember wanting to get this brand sometime ago due to its advanced engineering pero ended up with other brands

[sandawa]

thanks. i've been inspired lately by story-sharing on vintage hi-fi at Audio Karma and that's when i noticed the Duals were hardly mentioned here notwithstanding its popularity in the '80s before the CDPs took over.

[wanderlust]

galing sir,

months ago someone offered me a dual, with the orig cart, i minded not it back then as i just recently purchased the garrard.... and btw, i do recall seeing a dual at the shop where i bought the garrard ( the shop owner told me it was imported from germany, i think he was selling it like 4k).

[Lordfoo]

I am using a Dual 505.2 for two weeks now and I am very happy with the unit. This is my first Turntable since the Old Magnavox Tube Turntable of our family years and years ago.

[jairus1301]

As a child, I used to love our quadrosonic stereo with built-in turntable (you know...those big cabinets) ;D ;D ;D I want to get a taste of those good old days so I'm looking at getting a used turntable without spending a fortune.

I came accross someone selling his Dual 1237 for P2,500. Is this a good price for this model? According to the seller, the unit is in good working condition complete with cartridge and stylus. Or am I better off with the Technics TT PL1200 selling also for P2,500 without stylus and cartridge.

Any comments/inputs are welcome. Thanks!

[sandawa]

i love Duals, but if it's a choice between a Dual 1237 and a Technics SL-1200 (original, not as good looking as Mk II), i'll pick the Technics. i got one like that, nadaganan na sa loob ng container van while relocating here in Davao, nabiyak pa ang right side, tumatakbo pa rin.

[jairus1301]

Sorry, mali pala tingin ko dun sa for sale sa pdvd. The choice was between a Dual 1237 and a Pioneer PL1200 (not Technics)

I was bent on getting the Duals already since ready-to-use na siya with cartridge and stylus. Which is better ba sir, belt-driven or direct drive? Is P2,500 a reasonable price already?

I'm planning to hook this to the phono input of the Sansui AU-D607F Extra i recntly got from the pier. Will this work and will the sound be acceptable? I just want to experience hearing this format again. Thanks!

[sandawa]

tawaran mo pa sir, 1237 is actually an entry model - the cheapest. somebody in PinoyDVD told me a couple of months back it was also poorly maintained, or, it could be another 1237. check it out first.

it should look like the lower unit on the photo link:

dual-reference.com/tables/1237.htm

[jairus1301]

Thanks for the heads up. I think its the same unit. It was the only posted for sale in pdvd, just texted him if it was still available. I'm supposed to see it this weekend, kaso medyo malayo place niya baka hindi worthwhile na dayuhin ko pa. Thanks again!