Dual 1226

Found this Dual 1226 in a thrift store for 5 euro. It’s old, 70s, idler wheel, cheap and in need of some TLC. Needless to say I couldn’t resist!

I checked it in the shop, it was spinning but the automatics didn’t work. The dustcover had cracks in the back. The stylus was broken. It had a DIN connector. Long Easter weekend ahead!

I found a German forum with this picture of the inside of the 1226. There’s a little pin inside with rubber around it. Well so it should be but after 30 years the rubber was gone. I put a little wire isolation around the pin and voila, full automatic again!

I cleaned the whole thing. Alas I couldn’t get off all the rust marks. They show up a little obtrusive on the pictures but in real life it’s not so bad. The plinth is the usual plastic/pressboard affair, I learned from the Lenco adventure this can make a big difference. No I’m not going to spend 2 weeks in a workshop to build a new plinth for this Dual. That kind of commitment is reserved for Lenco!

Yep, it’s idler wheel drive. The idler looks pretty good, not worn or dirty. The German forum guy warned AGAINST oiling these Duals, they’re oiled for life so to speak. Amazing how well it works after 30+ years. It’s running smooth and surprisingly quiet. There’s a little rumble when you listen with headphones, big deal.

I happened to have a Shure M75 stylus and a DIN/RCA cable so I had it up and running quickly after the automatics repair. It’s surprisingly quiet for an idler wheel drive. It has good PRAT and bass like most idler wheel drives.

The platter isn’t as heavy as the big Lenco platters but not feather light either. Here you see the inner rim where the idler wheel makes contact with the platter. This 1226 was a middle level Dual, not top notch but not entry level either. Same thing for the Shure M75. A good table for Middle of the Road 45s…