Looking for a Dual 1229Q

[MarkWComer]

Mark: Although, at times, I've been fortunate enough to pick up a "worker" turntable from a thrift store, I much prefer to have one that's been serviced, with a known history, and ready to play. That's easily worth the premium you paid to get your Dual 1229Q. Perhaps, tonight, all us Dual turntable owners can feature their favourite LP on the "what are you listening to?" thread?

Nando.

I've heard a lot of good things about fixmydual. I know you did not pay garage sale pricing....I can guarantee it wasn't $1000+ either, which would be my next jump if and when I'm ready. You will enjoy it. Great pick on the AT 440MLA, give it a good break in, tends to be a bit bright in the beginning. The micro point really cleans up some worn records, it really tracks well.


Im in for tonite Nando...Dualing Duels?!!!

OK- I give! It was (wince!) $568 including shipping. I did slap myself after I hit the "pay" button and asked myself "What the frak did I just do??" That's twice the MSRP of $260 back in 1974!

Now that it's here- it's freakin' AWESOME (I don't use that word lightly).

I had an AT440MLa mounted on a Harman/Kardon ST7 a few years back, and yeah- it was too damned bright. I didn't let it break in and gave it away along with the turntable. I think it was just a bad match to the short linear arm of the H/K, and I regret giving it away.

BTW: The AT440MLa has been supplanted by the AT440MLb! I'm glad that Audio Technica is developing their products for vinyl, though!

 

[Elite-ist]

I would have no qualms about paying a fair price for a turntable you wanted, Mark. I have no doubt, it will get used often. I have a number of cartridges kicking around I might try on my Dual. Before I mount them, I may ask for opinions on whether I will hear an improvement over my current Shure V15 III with new "cheap" stylus.

Nando.

 

[62vauxhall]

I would have no qualms about paying a fair price for a turntable you wanted, Mark. I have no doubt, it will get used often. I have a number of cartridges kicking around I might try on my Dual. Before I mount them, I may ask for opinions on whether I will hear an improvement over my current Shure V15 III with new "cheap" stylus.

Nando.

FWIW, I've "un-retired" my Dual 701 and the factory mounted V15 III. I put on one of those cheap supposedly made by Jico styli from Carole's Needles a couple of years ago which as far as I can tell, sounds as good as the original. Sure can't say the same about the cheap Stanton replacement I got though.

 

[MarkWComer]

Great pick on the AT 440MLA, give it a good break in, tends to be a bit bright in the beginning. The micro point really cleans up some worn records, it really tracks well.

You won't believe this: Just placed the order for the cart- from Home Depot! Put it on my Home Depot charge account! Crazy or what???
I have the Cardas Frequency Sweep/break-in record, and a few very heavily modulated 45rpm disco singles to help the break-in.

Before I mount them, I may ask for opinions on whether I will hear an improvement over my current Shure V15 III with new "cheap" stylus.
Nando.

FWIW, I've "un-retired" my Dual 701 and the factory mounted V15 III. I put on one of those cheap supposedly made by Jico styli from Carole's Needles a couple of years ago which as far as I can tell, sounds as good as the original. Sure can't say the same about the cheap Stanton replacement I got though.

The V15 III is a tough one to beat. Wunna these days...
And Jico really seems to have a good rep for their quality- you're not ever gonna get a genuine Shure VN35HE unless it's new/old stock- and after all these years, the elastomers in the suspension are gonna be useless.

 

[Gepetto]

You won't believe this: Just placed the order for the cart- from Home Depot! Put it on my Home Depot charge account! Crazy or what???
I have the Cardas Frequency Sweep/break-in record, and a few very heavily modulated 45rpm disco singles to help the break-in.

Unbelievable that HD sells phono cartridges...but they do.

 

[BlazeES]

No Way !

Update:

OK, I still can't believe my eyes. They have a sh!t ton of AT gear.

And on the cart,
the AT 440 series are completely under rated for the coin spent.
They deliver like carts twice the price ... or more. My experience
with AT carts is that they always track older, worn LPs better than
most ... and I use to be a huge Ortofon fan.

You won't believe this: Just placed the order for the cart- from Home Depot! Put it on my Home Depot charge account! Crazy or what???

 

[laatsch55]

What prompted HD to do that???????

 

[Fishoz]

I got my 440 MLA from Walmart.....and it was direct from them, not through a seller.

 

[BlazeES]

What prompted HD to do that???????

When you have a commercial website with that amount of traffic,
you exploit it I guess. I've never seen AT gear inside any HD Store.
Then again, maybe in other parts of the country there is some ...

It still blows my mind.
If I was someone like Needle Doctor ... I'd be pissed.

I suppose for Audio Technica, it's smart to offer your stuff
through as many channels as possible because at the end
of the day it's all about revenue streams.

 

[laatsch55]

Or exposure...

 

[BlazeES]

Or exposure...

True. But in the end, they want to move that gear.

 

[Elite-ist]

Home Depot, you say? That's a new one for the retailing giant. It's termed home improvement for the ears.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Audio-Technica-Dual-Moving-Magnet-Phono-Cartridge-AT440MLA/205995771

Nando.

 

[Gepetto]

I got my 440 MLA from Walmart.....and it was direct from them, not through a seller.

Same price at Walmart or HD...quite amazing.

 

[BlazeES]

So maybe the reason is a version thing.

Needle Doctor has the "b" for the cart even though the link states "a":

http://www.needledoctor.com/Audio-Technica-440MLa-Cartridge?sc=2&category=363

Their "a" replacement stylus is the same price as the full cart at HD or Walmart.

Pretty funny pricing ta-boot ...

Update:

Looks like the "b" version is for real on the AT Site. LPGear has it too. The 440MLa looks to be discounted, with a slant toward discontinued/end-of-life pricing.
A great value for those on a budget seeking higher priced performance, no doubt.

 

[Elite-ist]

Dual 1229 Review

Here's a short review from one of my old magazines, which I scanned today. It's taken from a January 1974 issue of Consumer Guide.

Nando.

 

[MarkWComer]

So far, so good! The 1229Q running perfectly and I'm still quite pleased with it.

A problem, though. I bought this with two cartridge sleds knowing I'd be using different carts with it. I mounted an Ortofon Super OM, worked without problem. The other sled has some issues, the leads are connected to the pins with only two or three strands of wire connecting them. HUMMMing, intermittent left channel. This is one of the reasons I like the universal/SME headshells so much- swapping the leads is effortless. To repair the leads on these cartridge sleds require some micro-soldering skills, as they are from the factory, they're crimped into the ends.

What a shame! Just got my AT440MLa today, got it in alignment on the Baerwald protractor, but can't play it because of the bad contacts.

BTW: Where can I get a wire stripper that can handle these tiny little cartridge leads?

 

[NavLinear]

So far, so good! The 1229Q running perfectly and I'm still quite pleased with it.

A problem, though. I bought this with two cartridge sleds knowing I'd be using different carts with it. I mounted an Ortofon Super OM, worked without problem. The other sled has some issues, the leads are connected to the pins with only two or three strands of wire connecting them. HUMMMing, intermittent left channel. This is one of the reasons I like the universal/SME headshells so much- swapping the leads is effortless. To repair the leads on these cartridge sleds require some micro-soldering skills, as they are from the factory, they're crimped into the ends.

What a shame! Just got my AT440MLa today, got it in alignment on the Baerwald protractor, but can't play it because of the bad contacts.

BTW: Where can I get a wire stripper that can handle these tiny little cartridge leads?

I've read that the wire used for tone arms is either 30 or 32 AWG. Here's a link for strippers good to 30 gauge:

http://www.amazon.com/Hakko-CSP-30-1-Stripper-Maximum-Capacity/dp/B00FZPHMUG#descriptionAndDetails

Here's one that will strip down to 32 AWG stranded:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-To...d-and-22-32-AWG-Stranded-Wire-11057/100352112

 

[laatsch55]

My Kline Katapult strippers have a die set that goes to #32......

 

[Gepetto]

So far, so good! The 1229Q running perfectly and I'm still quite pleased with it.

A problem, though. I bought this with two cartridge sleds knowing I'd be using different carts with it. I mounted an Ortofon Super OM, worked without problem. The other sled has some issues, the leads are connected to the pins with only two or three strands of wire connecting them. HUMMMing, intermittent left channel. This is one of the reasons I like the universal/SME headshells so much- swapping the leads is effortless. To repair the leads on these cartridge sleds require some micro-soldering skills, as they are from the factory, they're crimped into the ends.

What a shame! Just got my AT440MLa today, got it in alignment on the Baerwald protractor, but can't play it because of the bad contacts.

BTW: Where can I get a wire stripper that can handle these tiny little cartridge leads?

Hi Mark
They are right next to the Heyco pliers in your tool kit. Sorry buddy, just had to do it ?

I have a set of CK German made strippers that are pretty good for fine work. They come in various fixed gauges as well as variable.

 

[NavLinear]

Hi Mark
They are right next to the Heyco pliers in your tool kit. Sorry buddy, just had to do it ?

I have a set of CK German made strippers that are pretty good for fine work. They come in various fixed gauges as well as variable.

I like German strippers.