Judging turntable sound can be tricky. There are many variables within the turntable itself as well as up the audio stream to factor in. With this Dual 1237, I found the sound with the included cartridge and stylus to be weak, anemic. There was an audible rumble as well that I couldn't isolate. I'm certain that, in its day, this TT was a strong performer. As a thrift store purchase, without any history of use or abuse, it was worth the $25, but not what I'd consider a legacy piece - something I'd keep and pass down to my kids.
Have any experience with Dual turntables or the 1237, in particular? Leave a comment or send in photos. Be sure to post some of your gear photos on the HiFiCollector Facebook page too - thanks.
I have owned one of these since the 1970's - still have it. Love it because the sound is great and it is a changer - handles about 4 records at a time. It is the only record player I know of that won't skip on a vinyl recording of The 1812 Overture with live canons. Beat out a friend's HI FI audiophile turntable (1 record at a time) which did skip on the 1812's cannons! An 80 year old codger.
ReplyDeletejust recently got a dual 1237 base was dirty it looked like it was stored and barely used was told it came from an estate sale and seller said it turned on but that was it do not know why i bid for it it looked unique compared to my other TT.s all idler drive i was never a fan of belt drive why i wanted it not even I can excplain but when i got it it was in great condition the base was plastic with a wood surround the cover really scratched badly but as i went to clean up and oil the mechanics there was very little grease compared to my dual 1009sk not many linkages to see but it was an automatic so it came with a shure 91ed which i happen to have a extra stylus set evrything up tried it was blown away how smooth this worked ,it was quiet very quiet it worked perfectly on both speeds was quiet when playing records and as a stacker it was perfect it dropped record very, very quietly .speed stay steady for a belt drive i was surprised ,then i cleaned up base and repolished the smoked dust cover it looks fantastic i am impressed with this TT ,been using stackers to prove that they do not scratch records and this one dropped them so quietly that so far true to fdorm no records scratched on my other TT's or on the 1237
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