Dual

The Dual 1019 turntable hit the market in 1965 at a retail price of around $130. It is a fully automatic, idler driven turntable and can play all types of LP’s including 78’s. In fact, it is popular amonst the 78 community due to its high torque motor and heavy 7.5 pound platter. The automatic start/stop system is pretty complex and is completely mechanical.

The 1019 has a nice smoked dust cover and the US models came with the United Audio plinth.

The platter on the 1019 is 10″ as opposed to the larger 12″ platters on the 12xx series turntables. So, most LP’s will hang over the edge of the platter.

The basic specs are:

Drive type: idler drive
Platter: 3.4kg/7.5lbs
Wow and Flutter: +/- 0.1%
Rumble: >59dB
Tonearm: extremely low mass (Dual’s branding)
Cartridges: 1/2″ cartridges weighing 1-16 grams with tracking force of 0-5 grams.

The Dual 1019 has direct dial continuously variable anti-skating compensation, cue and pitch control and elastically damped counterbalance with rapid and fine adjust. It incorporates a friction free dynamically balanced tonearm. The arm tube is thick and rigid and can track as low as 1/2 gram.

The idler system is basically just an idler wheel under the platter. When the motor starts the idler is pushed into contact with the inner rim of the platter causing it to turn via friction. Obviously a supple idler wheel is important in order to minimize possible rumble.

With the Dual 10xx series, hardened grease is a common problem. This can make the tonearm difficult to move or the mechanics underneath seize up. A complete tear down, cleaning and re-lubrication can solve the problem. Just be careful not to run the table when it is seized up or you can damage parts.

The Dual 1019 is a great turntable once restored, especially if you are into 78’s. Some don’t like idler drives while others swear by them so you’ll probably need to listen to one before making up your own mind.

A fully restored Dual 1019 can fetch over $400 while a nice working unit will be around $250-$350.

Idler for DUAL 1019 turntable

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Dual 1019 Turntable Type CK5

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Dual 1019 Stereo Semi Auto Return Turntable + Shure M44E Cartridge +

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Vintage Dual 1019 Idler Driven Stereo Semi Auto Return Turntable - Made Germany

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The Dual 1249 is a belt driven turntable offered by the German company around 1975. It’s retail price when introduced was about $280. It is definitely one of the better looking Dual turntables though I have always been fonder of the CS 5000 for some reason. The 1249 is a dual speed, 33 and 45, table with an anti skate mechanism as well as the ability to stack records when using the longer spindle. Of course, over the years the longer stacking spindles tend to disappear.

The Dual 1249 is a very well built turntable. The change mechanism, however, is somewhat complex. Over the years the original grease hardens and the mechanism won’t work properly or won’t work at all. The old grease can be cleaned off and new grease applied but it isn’t the easiest job to do. The original SM-840 motor can also be problematic in that it will suddenly start operating at double speed on occasion. Dual remedied this later with the SM-860 motor. If you do have double speed problems then you’ll need to find the SM-860. I’ve seen them sell for around $50.

Dual had a recall in the early 1980’s regarding the faulty motor so a lot of them were replaced with the SM-860. Not all SM-840’s fail so if yours is currently working then it probably will work long term. The Dual 1249 tonearm is a low mass arm with automatic set down. The multi / single VTA lever can also be a problem on the turntables. Don’t force your lever if it is stuck. It can break and cause many headaches.

The Steurpimpel is another issue that can occur with the 1249 over the years. It’s a little complicated so I’ll post a link to a long discussion over on VinylEngine. Beside some of the age related mechanical issues the Dual 1249 really is a beautiful turntable. Nearly all vintage turntables are problematic in one way or another after having been around for 30+ years.

Most Dual turntables are popular with both collectors and vinyl enthusiasts. They are considered higher end mid-fi components and not necessarily top of the line but there are some that would argue that. As mentioned previously their build quality is excellent. If you do find one be sure to have a tech go through it a give it a good cleaning. Once cleaned and adjusted it should perform exceptionally well. A really nice, serviced Dual 1249 will sell for upwards of $400. An unserviced working version will run about $150 to $200.