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Dual 721 Direct Drive Turntable w/CH-20 Hinged Dust Cover & Ortofon M15-E Super Cartridge - Semi-Functional - READRecent estate sale find.Overall, in very good physical condition.Turntable has some issues; it is semi-functional.Here is what we can tell is wrong:The 45 RPM speed is not working. When we first checked it, the speed was slower than the 33 RPM speed. We lifted the platter off and put it back on, then the 45 RPM was spinning properly. But after a few times of starting and stopping, it was spinning slow again.The 33 RPM speed setting is functioning properly most of the time. When the start lever is pushed, the tonearm will lift and drop down on the record most times. Intermittently though, the tone arm will just lift straight up and then drop back down on the rest and the turntable will stop spinning. Happens randomly. The AC plug has been cut and spliced together, bound with electrical tape.The RCA output wires have been replaced with heavy duty Monster Cable Interlink Reference wires.The ground wire has a small pin on the end of it that looks like it plugs into another female connector that we do not have. We did attach another wire to it and ground the turntable, and it does work.Unit may have other issues that we are not aware of, but it does play records at 33 RMP and sounds great.Comes with Ortofon M15-E Super cartridge.Listing is for (1) Dual 721 Turntable w/CH-20 dust cover & M15-E super cartridge as pictured. Selling AS IS, as described. No other accessories included. GRAB IT WHILE YOU CAN!At New York Music Mall LLC, we strive to make sure our customers are totally satisfied with their buying experience. If for any reason you have any issue with your purchase, please contact us and we will get right back to you and work with you to resolve any problems. Please do not open any cases or claims without contacting us first. We will be able to resolve any problems directly and make sure that any issues are taken care of immediately. Our perfect feedback speaks for itself. THANK YOU FOR YOUR BUSINESS. WE APPRECIATE IT!
Condition is unknown, so the price has to carry the whole judgment here: at US$400, it lands a bit above the US$365 median but still inside the recent US$311–US$414 interquartile band, so this reads as fair to slightly firm, not overpriced. It is not a bargain on comps alone, but it is close enough to the center of the market that a clean example can absolutely be worth it.
That makes sense for a well-regarded belt-drive classic like this: the appeal is the solid idler-free feel, good speed stability, and the fact that these often have a lively, musical presentation when properly sorted. The upside is in condition, servicing, and included parts—original headshell, dust cover, and a fresh service can matter a lot—so if it’s complete and mechanically healthy, US$400 is a reasonable buy.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
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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