The turntable platter is heavy creating a very reliable stable speed. It is quiet and flexible (3 speeds, single manual play, multi or single fully automatic play). Parts are still accessable (except for dustcovers) from several locations. I like All-In-One Electronics in Canada.

Although the turntables I have are equipped with good to near mint dustcovers, they are no longer available new. That is really my only problem with the Dual 1229Q.

I am the owner of 23 Dual turntables including a 1229 and a 1249 which I bought new in Germany in the 70's. I actually have 13 connected to various stereo systems throughout my house. I recently purchased a 1229Q on E-bay for $150.00 to go along with another one I bought 2 years ago, also on E-bay, for $25.00. This latest one features a unique Dual base which raises up to allow stacking of records (not recommended) without having to have the tall boxey dust cover. I love these turntables for their quiet operation and precision tracking. I was convinced that Dual was a great brand while in the Army in Germany at a Dual show in an Audio-Video club. The demonstrator played a record while holding a Dual 1229 at a 45 degree angle, with a tracking force of 1 1/2 grams. The record never skiped a track! I was so impressed I sold my Garrard Zero 100 to another GI and took home a new 1229. That was in 1973. It's still going strong.

Similar Products Used:

Dual 506, 601, 606, 701, 1212, 1218, 1219, 1229, 1245, 1249, 1254, 1257.

DURABILITY. All of the above models are great designs, but the cleaner sound of the 1229Q, makes it the winner.

The limited availability of parts, especially the idler-wheel. You must keep the top and bottom motor bearings, the platter bearing and spindle, and the idler-wheel bearing oiled.

I am the original owner of a DUAL 1219, 1229, 1229Q, and 701. First of all, I cannot imagine where the other reviewers get their information on Dual product specs. These three 1200-series 'tables have all have a Synchronous/continuous-pole motor, NOT a crappy 2-pole! The great strength of the 1229Q, is a re-designed, light-weight tonearm , which contains several Carbon-Fiber components. These help to raise the resonant-frequency of the arm, thereby dramatically reducing mis-tracking. You can hear the difference. Even though the 701 has the quieter drive-system, the 1229Q rules. A great-sounding machine.

Similar Products Used:

Very few products can match the quality of a 1970s - vintage Dual.

Superb engineering, durability, dependability, faithful sound reproduction

Difficulty finding repair shops

After 30 years of trouble-free service, my Dual 1229 began to suffer from minor symptoms common to most 1000 and 1200 series Dual turntables that have never had any repair work. It simply needed to be refurbished. At first, I entertained the idea of replacing it. I shopped for a new turntable, hoping to find one that was as durable, as dependable, and as capable of producing great sounds as my 1229. However, when I was unable to find a replacement that did not cost a small fortune, I decided to go the repair route. After an exhaustive search, I finally found a few reputable repair shops: 1. Austin Sound Gallery in Austin, Texas http://www.geocities.com/pepperdog78727/front.html 2. The Turntable Factory in South Carolina http://www.theturntablefactory.com/ 3. Roses Electronics in Houston, Texas http://www.compassnet.com/concept/Contacts/Rose.html Although any of the shops could perform the needed repairs, I choose one that was geographically closest to me because I preferred delivering my turntable in person rather than sending it though a shipping service. The repairs consisted of: complete dis-assembling, removing the hardened grease, re-lubing the parts that needed it, dis-assembling the motor, replacing the upper bearing set, cleaning the output shaft, re-aligning the cartridge, re-balancing the tonearm, re-gluing the strobe markings, soldering in place a new 1-meter high-quality Linn analog cable, internalizing the ground strap, re-assembling, and testing. I was without my turntable for two months and it cost me $221.86 ($150 for 3 hours labor plus parts and sales tax) to have it refurbished but it was well worth it. Now, my 1229 will probably give me another 30 years of trouble-free service.

Similar Products Used:

Second Dual 1229 turntable

Heavy 12" platter. Great stability.

Wheel drive hard to replace or repair.

I bought my 1229Q in 1973 or 74. It is the only piece of my original stereo system that I continue to use to this day. It is an excellent product that has held up very well over the years. I have about 700 LP records and have logged many hours on this table.
I have replaced the motor once about 10 years ago and have had some work done on the wheel drive to recover the rubber.
I believe that the wheel drive part my need replacement (rather than a re-tread) or that the motor is slowly giving out again. I have to pitch up the table to speed and the table will no longer reach 78rmp speeds.(I actually have some of these).
I have replaced the cartride to a better model than the original.
I would love to find a place to get reliable parts as it would be hard for me to scrap it for a new model.

Durable, dependable, great sound

Hard to find competent technical support

I am the original owner of a Dual 1229 turntable that I purchased in 1973. The stereo system I put together in ‘73 consisted of:

McIntosh amp/preamp
Pioneer Tuner
Teac stereo tape deck
Dual 1229 turntable
JBL speakers

Of the five components, the Dual 1229 turntable and the JBL speakers are the only ones that still function. Of the two, the turntable is the only one that has never needed professional repair service (the 8-inch woofers in the speakers had to be re-coned). The only repair I ever had to perform on the turntable was to replace the adhesive that attaches the strobe markings to the underside of the platter. For years, the turntable has needed to have three minor dysfunctions repaired:

1. Pitch control no longer works
2. Speed selector no longer works
3. Motor takes longer to get the turntable spinning at top speed

Until recently, I never needed another speed besides 33 1/3. As soon as I find a competent repair-person, I will get these minor problems fixed.

The Dual 1229 turntable, in combination with my other stereo components, gave me the true sound that I needed to listen critically to jazz musicians and accompany them on my saxophones. After I retired as a jazz musician, I used my system to listen to a variety of good music.
Classical (especially Paganini)
Rock (especially hard rock such as Metallica)
Country (especially Hank Williams Jr.)
Jazz (especially John Coltrane)

In other words, my turntable has seen a lot of use and has stood the test of time. It is a very durable piece of machinary.

For those of you who like Jazz, please check out my on-line Jazz radio station at:

http://www.live365.com/stations/188094

The name of my station is "INSTRUMENTAL JAZZ" by narsuitus. My station features music from artists such as John Coltrane, Charles Mingus, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Ornette Coleman, Roland Kirk, Miles Davis, Art Blakey, Clifford Brown, Dave Brubeck, Yusef Lateef, Joe Daley, Sonny Rollins, Thelonious Monk, Paul Desmond, Albert Ayler, Stan Getz, Jackie McLean, George Russell, and many others.

Thanks,
narsuitus@hotmail.com

Similar Products Used:

My father's Garrard turntable

Great Table for the budget audiophile

needs better cartridge

I have an uncle that has a 1229 which he bought when new in 1973. Based on the longevity of his table (I think he's still using it) I bought a CS515 back 1985. See my review for more info.

I have done no maintenence as far as changing belts or oiling the motor and she still runs as if new!!!

This has always been the difference between German made Dual's compared to the Japanese made Technics, Sony's, JVC's, etc.

Similar Products Used:

Garrard

Solid sound, good isolation, good looks, and an excellent tonearm.

Rather delicate mechanics. Won't tolerate abuse and needs a good lubrication every year-or-so. WORTH THE EFFORT!

Thirty years ago I owned a legendary DUAL 1219 and absolutely loved it. It was DOA after a move and I bought a different brand. I found this 1229 at the local Goodwill store. It needed a little TLC but is now going strong and has replaced my Sony PS-X50 (a great table!) as my principle turntable.

The 1229 is the same as the 1219 except for a slightly different headshell and the 1229's illuminated strobe disk. A 1229Q is a 1229 with low-capacitance tonearm cables for CD-4 quad usage. They share dynamically balanced 7 pound platter with first-class bearings and a strong motor for very low wow & flutter and rumble specs.

Lots of turntables can match the 1229's specs but few can match its sound. It's excellent isolation and tonearm make for one of the more solid and steady sounding turntables this side of a Thorens. And they are also one of the best looking turntables ever made. Most of the later DUAL turntables just don't have the same sound.

If asked to describe the sound I would characterise it as warm yet neutral. It depends upon the cartridge, of course, but the DUAL tonearm is well damped and can track almost anything. It lets a good cartridge do its job without adding its own character. That, plus the rock-solid speed stability and extremely good isolation and very low rumble all add up to a big winner.

I don't know why I waited so long to get another 1229. I've had a 1242 and a couple of the CS models. They were all very good machines but none excited me like a good 1219/1229 can do.

I bought it for $5 and have already been offered over $100 for it. I'm not selling.

Similar Products Used:

DUAL 1219, Sony PS-X50

1974 Dual 1226 Turntable/Changer: Cheaper than the 1229, easier to rebuild. Sounds as good. Good availability.

No 78 RPM

This is a great sounding and performing changer that won't cost you an arm and a leg. I have about 1500 records from the 1940s to 2000, classical, rock, comedy, opera. No rap, no country. I've got mono, quad and stereo. Most are from the 1970s. Some of the best sounding material was recorded in mono in the 1940s and 50s and before.... played only on the Technics, the Garrard Model A, the Yamaha P-350 or this changer.

Point is: I've tried lots of turntables in the "reasonable" price range and I've played lots of records in ALL sorts of condition and this one sounds the best and will track down to one half gram (depending on cartridge) to avoid further wear.

If you want a new good sounding record changer you can forget it. The only one I've seen (at http://www.garage-a-records.com/) looks suspicisiouly like the old cheapo Realistic/BSR I had in the 70s. Mine only cost about $39 in the 1970s new AND it rumbled something awful. They want $109 for it now. Yikes!

The Dual 1229 is a great turntable and changer, if you can get one. When new the 1226 cost about $100 less in 1974 than the 1229. It does not have all the features of the 1229. But it is easier to get one, and it costs less to rebuild and grease. It stacks up to 6 records. There are automatic spindles available for both 45s and 33's. There are manual spindles available as well.

Its a two speed: 33 and 45 RPM. It's tonearm set down is tied into the speed. (so no 78's and no automatic playing of 10 inch records). It is easy to switch out cartridges with the multiple Dual tonearm heads. I've got two: a unique Osawa cartridge for quad and stereo and a GRADO Black wired for mono. Properly greased there is NO rumble. If it rumbles, get it into service.

If it hasn't been greased, don't pay more than $50... because you are going to have to get it greased and that can cost between $100 and $150. Have it done by a REAL turntable techie, ideally locally. But if no one in your areas services turntables I've heard that http://www.theturntablefactory.com/does excellent service by mail.

Good Luck

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha P-350
Realistic by ? Mid-Fi Changer from 1978
Realistic by BSR Lo-fi changer from 1974
Garrard Model A Hi-FI Stereo Changer from 1962
1975 Technics 1200 single play direct drive

The Dual 1229Q is the legendary model that gave the Dual name its landmark among superb high quality turntables. From its handsome design to its flawless smooth operation, you will quickly notice German craftsmanship at its best. It is a record changer with tone arm mode selector for Single or Multi play to provide the correct tracking angle of the stylus at multiplay mode. It has an idler wheel drive system with a full 12" dynamically balanced 7 lbs. platter. This weight, combined with the platter's centifugal design, contributes substantially to the extremely low wow, flutter and rumble of this Dual. Overall, it is the best designed changer that also has the best feature and capability of a single play unit. Get it second hand in MINT condition. Its worth it...even at its MSRP price! This Model Year of this product is 1974.

Simply the best.

I hope I can always get parts for it

I just bought a 1229Q, built myself a preamp, and connected it to my Mac. This turntable is awesome - very low wow and flutter and rumble - it's built like a tank...well, maybe like a Mercedes or BMW...it's very finely designed and crafted. I am digitizing a good deal of my vinyl collection (2000+ LPs, 500+ 78s) and I can't say enough good about this turntable. Buy one if you can find one...you won't be disappointed.