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Up for sale is a classic German-engineered Dual 1218 idler-drive turntable. While it shows fair cosmetic wear on the plinth and chassis from age, and has been etched for I.D. purposes by a former owner, the unit has been completely stripped down, mechanically restored, and upgraded for audiophile-grade performance.Mechanical & Performance Status:Full Overhaul: The unit was completely torn down, all old factory grease was thoroughly cleaned out, and it was relubricated and adjusted using premium modern lubricants.Speed Stability: Pitch control and speed shifting function flawlessly. Speed is exceptionally stable with a verified wow / flutter of 0.16%.Automation: Full automatic start, stop, and tonearm return cycles actuate smoothly and correctly without sticking.Upgrades & Components:Cartridge & Stylus: Equipped with a highly sought-after, warm-sounding Shure M93E cartridge fitted with a brand-new, zero-hour replacement stylus. It is aligned and ready to plug-and-play.Cable Upgrade: The old, degraded stock audio cables have been replaced with high-end, low-capacitance Canare RCA cables for superior signal clarity and zero hum.Dust Cover: Please note, no dust cover is included with this sale.Condition Notes:Mechanical Condition: Excellent / Fully RestoredCosmetic Condition: Fair (Etched top plate, scuffs, age-related wear and stable glue-up on the plinth, blemishes on the metalwork—please review photos carefully).Shipping & Local Pickup:Local Pickup: Available for testing and pickup in the Portland area.Non-Local Buyers: This unit will be packed with absolute care by a vintage audio enthusiast. The transit screws will be locked down and the tonearm safely secured to prevent any shipping damage.
Generating expert take…
Dual emerged from the Black Forest region of Germany in 1907, when brothers Christian and Joseph Steidinger began manufacturing clockwork and gramophone components in St. Georgen. The company adopted its now-iconic name in 1927 after pioneering dual-mode power supplies that allowed gramophones to operate from either mains electricity or mechanical wind-up mechanisms. This innovation marked the beginning of Dual's transition from component supplier to full-fledged audio manufacturer, establishing a foundation of engineering precision that would define the brand for decades.
Dual built its reputation primarily as a turntable specialist, becoming Europe's largest turntable manufacturer by the post-war era with over 3,000 employees across multiple factories. Beyond vinyl playback, the company expanded into cassette players, CD players, and broader consumer electronics throughout the 1970s and 1980s, demonstrating versatility across analog and digital formats. The company's focus on mechanical excellence and stable drive systems earned it recognition as a dependable, quality-focused manufacturer throughout its European heyday.
Today, Dual occupies a fragmented market position following corporate restructuring in the 1990s and subsequent ownership changes. The original German turntable line continues production in St. Georgen under Alfred Fehrenbacher GmbH, maintaining traditional manufacturing standards and appealing to vintage enthusiasts and collectors. Separately, Namsung Electronics markets Dual-branded consumer electronics in the Americas at accessible price points. The brand's legacy rests primarily on its classic turntables, which remain highly sought after by collectors and audiophiles valuing precision engineering and heritage craftsmanship.
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