Dual 1219

Dual's German-built flagship idler-drive changer with a heavy platter, gimballed tonearm and single-play or stacked automatic operation. Sold enormously in the US and Europe as the quality automatic of its day.

The high-water mark of the automatic idler changer, still cheap for the engineering inside.

Who it suits

Best suited to: buyers comfortable assessing used condition and budgeting for servicing (drive mechanism, bearing, stylus). Less ideal for: a no-hassle purchase with a manufacturer warranty — buy a current model instead.

Good to know

• No built-in phono stage — use an amplifier with a phono input or add a separate phono preamplifier.
• Fully automatic: the arm cues itself and returns at the end of the side.
• This is a used-market purchase. Ask about condition, originality and service history — for this drive type, check the idler wheel (a common wear/perishing point) and rumble through the speakers, plus the stylus regardless.

Specifications

Where to buy the Dual 1219

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

Compare it

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