Ok, here's the deal.

I purchased a Dual 1237 and a Miracord 50H in the same week. The guy at the shop recommended that I get the Dual serviced as parts are readily available. I did. I spent about $100 for a new belt and to get it cleaned/lubed. I used it for about 3 days and then the capacitor started to go. I took it in and he fixed it ($4.30 for parts). I bought a N91ED Shure stylus on a recommendation from an AKer. That was about $26.

Now I'm listening to the Dual and there is a lot more surface noise than when I was using the Miracord 50H (I took the Miracord in for service today). Whenever there is a quiet passage the crackle is quite noticeable...which wasn't the case with the Miracord.

Is there something I'm doing wrong? I'm quite frustrated as I've spent about $150 and I still can't listen to my LPs.

Oh yeah, I have to set the tracking force to 3 or the stylus doesn't want to stay on the vinyl.

Any advice/suggestions would be much appreciated!

Oh yeah, I have a Shure M91ED cartridge.

How are you setting the tracking weight? When I recently worked on my mother's 1237 I was somewhat puzzled by the counterweight and dial arrangement on the arm, but used my Shure tracking weight gauge to make sure I had it correct.

Something is wrong the Shure M91ED is suppose to track between 3/4 and 1.5. You shouldn't track it any higher that that. 3 grams is way to much. I don't know anything as to arms on the duals, so I can't give you any tips on that just the Shure

I have a 1237 with a cheap stylus and mine has no noise with setting at 1.5.
Tracks great, even on records that are far from pristine.

Did you adjust the tonearm at all?

Just a thought.

I have a 1237 with a cheap stylus and mine has no noise with setting at 1.5.
Tracks great, even on records that are far from pristine.

Did you adjust the tonearm at all?

Just a thought.

Yes, but I'm thinking I didn't balance it properly.

I can never seem to get the tonearm to "float." I'm gonna try it again tonight...or maybe tomorrow. I have to get ready for a date.

Thanks for all the responses guys!

I assume that prior to setting the stylus force you ZEROED the arm. Failure to do this renders stylus force adjustments close to meaningless. That said, if you had to set the tracking force to 3, I find that highly troubling. Here are possible problems --

(1) Something is wrong with the needle bearings on the SIDES of the gimbal assembly, such that the arm is "sticky" as it move up and down.

(2) The cartridge is mounted wrong, such that the VTA (vertical tracking angle) is way wrong.

(3) The cantilever portion of the stylus has sustained a spring-tension failure; or the stylus is bent.

(4) The stylus is NOT an original Shure device or a JICO substitute; instead it's some sleezy off-brand copy of the original.

(5) Your machine is possessed by a demon.

Fred

I assume that prior to setting the stylus force you ZEROED the arm. Failure to do this renders stylus force adjustments close to meaningless. That said, if you had to set the tracking force to 3, I find that highly troubling. Here are possible problems --

(1) Something is wrong with the needle bearings on the SIDES of the gimbal assembly, such that the arm is "sticky" as it move up and down.

(2) The cartridge is mounted wrong, such that the VTA (vertical tracking angle) is way wrong.

(3) The cantilever portion of the stylus has sustained a spring-tension failure; or the stylus is bent.

(4) The stylus is NOT an original Shure device or a JICO substitute; instead it's some sleezy off-brand copy of the original.

(5) Your machine is possessed by a demon.

Fred

All are possible except for #4. :D

I'm guessing I haven't properly balanced the tonearm. I've never seen one quite like this.

I wish I knew what the hell I was doing!!! :D

Did you download the manual from www.vinylengine.com ???? If not, register, go to Library, look under Dual, in the beltdriven section.

I assume that prior to setting the stylus force you ZEROED the arm. Failure to do this renders stylus force adjustments close to meaningless. That said, if you had to set the tracking force to 3, I find that highly troubling. Here are possible problems --

(1) Something is wrong with the needle bearings on the SIDES of the gimbal assembly, such that the arm is "sticky" as it move up and down.

(2) The cartridge is mounted wrong, such that the VTA (vertical tracking angle) is way wrong.

(3) The cantilever portion of the stylus has sustained a spring-tension failure; or the stylus is bent.

(4) The stylus is NOT an original Shure device or a JICO substitute; instead it's some sleezy off-brand copy of the original.

(5) Your machine is possessed by a demon.

Fred


Was reading and thinking how correct 1-4 was and saw five as Denon but after closer inspection it was demon...

Could be the cart and/or stylus. I had an Ortofon LM back between 1980 and 1987. I switched to an OM and my surface noise got cut way down. The only obvious difference was the mounting, but I'm sure there were things I couldn't see that helped.
Tom

How would I know if it is either 1 or 2?

I have re-balanced the tonearm countless times but I still get the same effect.

If I set the tracking force to 1.5 it is totally unlistenable. I have to set it to at least 2.5...usually 3.

I know it isn't the stylus because I have two. One is a cheapo knockoff and the other is an original.

I really don't know what to do short of taking it back to the shop and asking him to take a look at it. I mean, I did give him over a hundred bucks to get the table up and running...and it still isn't.

Sigh.