Dual 1229. Worth the price?

C

CrazyCanuck1

New Member
Hi everyone. My current TT is a Sansui SR-212. I would like the Dual 1229 but it's pricey. Would the 1229 be a big improvement over the 212? I don't mind paying $300.00+ for a 1229 but not if it's Worth the price. Thank you and have a nice day
 
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If it's been fully refurbished and has a good cartridge, $300 is a fair price. It's definitely going to be a better performer than your Sansui. They're really well-designed machines.

If you're a DIY kinda guy, you may be able to get a non-working one for cheaper and fix it. There's typically a lot to do, but there are good step-by-step instructions available (which can't be said for most turntables).

A fully refurbed Dual 1229 will seriously blow away any new turntable in that price range. Not even a contest.
 
For $200, I'd say snag it -- that's what I paid for my 701(kind of apples to oranges in the Dual world, I know, but the prices are similar) in pristine shape with Ortofon OM-20 cartridge. $300 still represents reasonable value if the deck's in very nice shape, but it's no bargain.
 
Try to find out what cart is on there. If it's a Shure V15 III or better, that can offset the price. Plus, maybe you can negotiate down a bit.

But do try to find out if it's been thoroughly serviced and all old grease cleaned out and re-lubed. If you're not mechanically inclined, old grease can really be a problem that isn't trivial to address.
 
CrazyCanuck1 said:
Hi everyone. My current TT is a Sansui SR-212. I would like the Dual 1229 but it's pricey. Would the 1229 be a big improvement over the 212? I don't mind paying $300.00+ for a 1229 but not if it's Worth the price. Thank you and have a nice day
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You have to take the cost of use into account. That doesn't show up in the sticker price. The auto features are temperamental. Some of the replacement parts have to be custom-made since Dual no longer makes parts. Etc., etc. Of course, it's your money.
 
The Sansui that you have is a very respectable unit. I wouldn't pay that much for a Dual. I know Duals are very well thought of, but my experience with them is that they're finicky pains in the arse, and if you have any issues with it, you'll probably not be able to fix it yourself. You definitely do not want to receive one in the mail unless the seller *really* knows what they are doing. I don't know that you'd see a great deal of improvement with the Dual over that particular Sansui. For $300 there are other options that would, in the long run, serve you better.

A fully refurbished Dual would be a possibility, but unless it has been gone through by a Dual expert, anything that old and complicated is going to give you trouble, probably sooner than later.
 
I guess I'm biased since I work on them. Yes, Dual auto-functions can be finicky and the headshells are a PITA. But once they leave my shop, they're working great.

The SR-212 is a CEC-sourced belt drive AC synchronous motor deck. IMO, the 1229 would run circles around it. Better drive system and better arm. YMMV.

And I'll agree with the folks that say $300 is kinda on the high side unless it's working perfectly and has a really nice cartridge.
 
A 1019 in verygood condition can sell for 300, depends on your marketplace as well. I sold my 1229q with v15 iii restored for 550. It had all the amenities as well. So to me a unit for 300 fully functioning with a good cart is worth it. But that's also my marketplace bringing in those prices.
 
I would not list my Dual 721 (also restored) for anything less then $1500. But then the cartridge alone (Apheta 2) retails for over $2K Cdn. Greatly depends what's on offer.
 
I only have experience with lesser models of Dual. But ime, they're great when they work. But parts are rare and expensive.
 
noogies said:
Wow! Who was the buyer? Does he want another one? :biggrin:
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It was actually on Ebay, and the buyer was from NYC, but was moving down to central America. It also had a Stanton 681EEE with the Jico shibata stylus, and an original EEE stylus, in a 1229 plinth.
 
I seriously enjoy my DUALS. I realize their are better decks out there, but they perform well for me. Pricey at $300.00, unless it has been fully serviced, and has a great cartridge. If it is without a dust cover, it's tough to find one in great shape due to a design flaw, (plinth/cover) that makes them susceptible to cracking.
 
This is my Dual 1019 in a custom plinth.

I fully restored it and was going to sell it,and actually had it sold, but hurt my back and was late in shipping, so the buyer wanted to cancel the transaction. I did and have it back in use, which was like a double edged sword. I am happy to keep it due to sentimental reasons, and it's ability, but wanted to get rid of it to stream line how many tables I do have, as well as felt very bad to have to cancel the transaction and receive bad feedback on Ebay and turn someone off to any potential future dealings.

But I also had this sold for $300.00. It does however have the multi play spindle, overhang gauge, 45 adapter puck, 2 head shell sleds, and had the Pickering V-15 DAT3 on it,until I switched back to the Stanton 881S MKII. So again, the price range you are looking at to me, is not bad.

I use mine as well with a Denon DL-300 and use the aftermarket cartridge spacer that was made for the Shure V-15 cartridge to get the perfect VTA without having to use a thicker mat. And I can definItely say without a doubt,I like this better than the Elac 50H.
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