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I'd say it's not worth your time, unless you happen to be marooned with it (and a 110 V wind generator) on a desert island and a record collection washed ashore in a trunk, along with an amp and some speakers!
Dual TTs date back to the 60's, and 1019 is one of the early models, not top of the line even in THAT series, tho Dual was a very good brand. The Garrard brand even predated Duals, but the Duals I would say were of a higher caliber. But..... In those days I don't think they invented the word Audiophile YET , even when Duals were considered very good performers. I've had several 1000 series Duals, plus a couple of 700 series direct drive ones in the 70's, or 80's??? I still have a 700 series Dual sitting around, having not used it a long time, tho it still looks like new. Dual advocated the straight-line tonearm, and the Japanese were into those curvy arms...... German stuff is no slouch, I would say. You know how serious they are. But..... a $300 turntable (the 1019 models were priced around there I think) from those days doesn't measure up to a $300 TT of today, I would say.
Whoa whoa whoa guys , the Dual 1019 is a fine turntable within context. It has ZERO snob appeal (being automatic), but is cleverly made and works great. It can track almost anything, even at ridiculous angles (i.e., the owners manual demonstrates how it can track a record with the whole turntable being held at ~45 degrees!), due to the dynamically balanced tone-arm. The platter is quite heavy (7 lbs) and transmits relatively little noise (it's an idler wheel design). It's my main turntable in my vintage system -- connected to Citation I and II preamp and amp, big AR speakers -- and it sounds great (very quiet, very robust). I got mine for $30 at a garage sale, and have no desire to replace it. Post on Audiokarma and you'll find some fans who can provide restoration tips. And it was their top of the line at the time of release, and is generally considered a "preferred" vintage Dual TT Now, I'd say if the condition is rough, and you have no sentimental attachment, it would be better to pass it on to someone else with more time on their hands. You can find nice ones on eBay for ~$100 regularly. But if it's just a quick cleaning away from functionality, then give it a shot.
i must beg to disagree. the dual 1019, 1215, 1219, 1229, all sucked big time. mine never had accurate speed stability, & after the first year its auto-return was always hit/miss. when i first replaced it, after about 10 years, it was w/a cheap junk plastic pioneer belt drive deck, & it kicked its butt sonically.doug s.
Quote from: doug s. on 30 Jun 2008, 05:33 ami must beg to disagree. the dual 1019, 1215, 1219, 1229, all sucked big time. mine never had accurate speed stability, & after the first year its auto-return was always hit/miss. when i first replaced it, after about 10 years, it was w/a cheap junk plastic pioneer belt drive deck, & it kicked its butt sonically.doug s.Well, I have a cheap plastic Pioneer in my basement that I may never use My perspective is, I'd rather keep a cool solidly-built vintage turntable in a vintage system, regardless of hassle. I find such old "junk" much more interesting than a boring little Rega, regardless of sound. I haven't had any problems (except with my cartridge) and the automatic drive functions fine. I also have heard no speed problems, likely due to the hefty platter. I suppose I do enjoy using outmoded tech for the sake of it. That said -- this ugly little automatic turntable connected to late-50s tube amps sounds pretty darn decent to my ears.
Quote from: jon_010101 on 1 Jul 2008, 01:12 amQuote from: doug s. on 30 Jun 2008, 05:33 ami must beg to disagree. the dual 1019, 1215, 1219, 1229, all sucked big time. mine never had accurate speed stability, & after the first year its auto-return was always hit/miss. when i first replaced it, after about 10 years, it was w/a cheap junk plastic pioneer belt drive deck, & it kicked its butt sonically.doug s.Well, I have a cheap plastic Pioneer in my basement that I may never use My perspective is, I'd rather keep a cool solidly-built vintage turntable in a vintage system, regardless of hassle. I find such old "junk" much more interesting than a boring little Rega, regardless of sound. I haven't had any problems (except with my cartridge) and the automatic drive functions fine. I also have heard no speed problems, likely due to the hefty platter. I suppose I do enjoy using outmoded tech for the sake of it. That said -- this ugly little automatic turntable connected to late-50s tube amps sounds pretty darn decent to my ears. Boring little Rega, regardless of sound? Excuse me? Frank
Seriously, I think you guys underestimate vintage hifi. You are also missing out on some fun Sure, vintage turntables can be bettered (esp by later vintage -- big Denon and Technics direct drives, etc.) -- but they aren't nearly as bad as they are made out to be here. Quirky and inconvenient, perhaps, but fun. The Dual is perfectly capable of performing well in context. Now, I will agree, turntable designs haven't aged as gracefully as vintage tube amps or tuners, for example -- speakers are even worse -- but many would be surprised just how good "bad" hifi gear can sound.
"Regardless of sound"? Maybe you should get into antique collecting instead of audio. -Roy
Hi Everyone,I recently came across my Dad's old United Audio Dual 1019 TT while visiting. This thing has been sitting on a shelf for 30 years or so. I'd call the condition pretty rough, and it doesn't run. He gave it to me to see if I could fix it.I know nothing about TT's and vinyl, nor do I own a single record. But hey if I can get a nice TT for free, then maybe I could start. So here's the questions: How good was the UA Dual 1019? Any idea how much it would cost to have someone go over it and bring it back to life? (I know it depends on the damage) Is it worth refurbishing (no sentimental value and I don't tinker for fun) considering some of the new entry level TT's out there? (Rega P1 comes to mind).I don't want to spend say $200 fixing up a mediocre and / or outdated TT when I can buy a new one for $300 - $400. Know what I mean?Thanks for any advice.Bob
