Dual 1229 vs Dual CS 505-4

Side-by-side specifications and a plain-English account of the recorded differences. Full profiles: Dual 1229 · Dual CS 505-4.

Comparison of Dual 1229 and Dual CS 505-4
Specification Dual
1229
Dual
CS 505-4
Price£180 (used)Highlighted difference. £160 (used)
CategoryVintageVintage
Statusdiscontinueddiscontinued
Years1972–19741991–?
Driveidler drivebelt drive
SpeedsHighlighted difference. 33/45/78 rpm33/45 rpm
Operationfully-automaticsemi-automatic
Cartridge suppliedNoneNone
Phono stageNoNo
USB outputNoNo
BluetoothNoNo
Platternon-magnetic, dynamically balanced (approx 3 kg class)aluminium
TonearmDual gimballed armDual ULM arm
Wow & flutter

Practical differences

Highlighted cells show a lower reference price, support for more listed speeds, or the presence of a convenience feature. They are not an overall score.

The Dual CS 505-4 undercuts the Dual 1229 by £20 — £160 against £180.

The mechanics differ too: the Dual 1229 is idler-drive, the Dual CS 505-4 is belt-drive.

The Dual 1229 is fully automatic — press start and the arm cues itself and lifts at the end of the side — where the Dual CS 505-4 needs you to cue the arm by hand.

Bottom line: £20 separates these reference prices. That difference is factual; this specification comparison does not assign an overall winner.

Merchant searches

2 UK merchants handle used or discontinued decks like this — each outbound link searches the deck on that merchant’s site.

Merchants selling Dual 1229
MerchantTypeDeliveryProduct search
eBay UK used marketplace Varies by seller Search at eBay UK ↗
Vinyl Revival music retail UK delivery Search at Vinyl Revival ↗

Merchant searches

2 UK merchants handle used or discontinued decks like this — each outbound link searches the deck on that merchant’s site.

Merchants selling Dual CS 505-4
MerchantTypeDeliveryProduct search
eBay UK used marketplace Varies by seller Search at eBay UK ↗
Vinyl Revival music retail UK delivery Search at Vinyl Revival ↗

Compare two different decks →