I found a Dual 1228 at Goodwill, but know nothing about it.

[RockySC]

Hey guys. I recently found this Dual 1228 at a Goodwill store and I'm in need of some help if you would be so kind. I know next to nothing about turntables other than I used to play around with one years ago back in the 80s when I was growing up. From what I've read online, it seems this one was released back in '73 or so. Other than that, I know nothing.

It is in what I would call great condition other than a bit of test and minor wear from over the years. It powers up fine, spins, and all parts seem to be present. I just can't hear anything. I assume this needs to be hooked up to a sound system to hear anything out of it, correct? I took it to a local record store and they were just about drooling over it, and they also told me it was in great condition, and shouldn't have any problems with the audio once hooked up the way it needs to be.

Anyway, I have fooled around with it and I can only find one small issue that could be a problem, and I hope I can repair it in case I decide to keep it or decide to sell it. One one of the settings, it will not go all the way over to where the record would be, and once it sits for a second you need to give it a slight nudge. It works fine on the other setting. Either way, I hope it can be sorted out. I am including a number of pictures as well as a quick two minute video I have made showing you the exact problem. I also took the "needle box" off, I'm not sure what it's actually called, and took pictures of that separately. Thank in advance for any help you may be able to offer!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wb8hpZW3cvI

[RockySC]

It looks like I may be a moron. That is as far as the needle should go on that setting since the record is actually a big larger. Consider me embarrassed.

But still, what say you about this turntable? Good find? How does the condition of it look in the pictures and everything?

[macshifi]

One of the first things I noticed, from pix posted, you will need to go to Radio Shack or Best Buy and get a dual phono cable, anywhere from 3' to 6' long to hook up your turntable to Phono input on your preamp, integrated amp, or receiver. The wire marked "for hum reduction" needs to be attached to a ground, found on the back of preamp, integrated amp, or receiver.

Mark

[lini]

RSC: Condition of the actual 1228 looks pretty good - but that United Audio plinth is rather ugly, if you'd ask me. Anyway, back then the 1228 was Dual's second best model of the 122x family after the 1229 and at least for my taste a pretty charming one at that due to its compact size. And yes, it's "only" got a 27 cm platter, so a regular lp will protrude over its rim (which also explains that the corresponding start point is outside of the platter area).

And, yup, as Mark has already explained, you'll need to install RCA cables to its internal port and connect these to a phono input suitable for moving magnet cartridges. So, in case you'd like to connect the 1228 to a modern mini-system that only sports an aux (= line level) input, you'd need a separate phono stage in between - whereas most classic hifi integrated or pre-amplifiers and receivers will sport such a phono input anyway.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

[RockySC]

Thank for the information guys. If anyone else has any thoughts please let me know, thanks.

[ThomAudioGuy]

Well, of course everybody here is focused on the turntable, all great advice, but are you sure the phono input and preamp section on your receiver works? It's old enough to have died (usually bad capacitors). Quick check (crude but effective)- select your AUX input, turn down the volume, plug in a cable to your AUX input, touch the center pin of the cable's other end. Then slowly turn up the volume. You get a hum, right? Now switch to your PHONO input, turn down the volume, plug in cable and repeat the test. You should get a hum at a much LOWER volume control setting (indicating much more gain on the PHONO input than on the AUX input). Check both channels (left and right). If successful, this exonerates the receiver from being the source of "no sound".

[ThomAudioGuy]

Sorry but it looks like I got mixed up, you haven't actually wired this one up yet, so my advice about a receiver check is misplaced. So you can disregard my advice unless you happen to have trouble with an old receiver! Sorry for any confusion induced, and good luck. Looks like a nice turntable!

[mrow2]

This is a real sweet unit, nice catch. The base unit looks great. Light sanding all the way around with a foam sanding block to take off the dirt and fingerprints, treat it with a furniture finish like Danish Oil natural, will be like new. The machine looks super clean, after servicing and cleaning it will be like new. Can have a dust cover made for it for about $100. I have one of these, have not gotten into it yet but I have serviced a lot of them. You need expert guidance on how to service it and to lube it, don't do it without guidance; must be done properly.

[RockySC]

Can have a dust cover made for it for about $100.

It actually came with the dust cover as well, I just didn't include it in pictures since I didn't know if it was that important. It does have wear with prints all over and minor light scratches, but it isn't busted up or broken anywhere on it. Thanks for all the information!

[mrow2]

That dust cover can be polished to perfection, I do them fairly often. Good luck with it, this looks like a great unit. The motor should be taken apart and lubed, and the unit should be fully serviced.

[RockySC]

This may be a stupid question, but how do you go about polishing the dust cover?

[Alec124c41]

I use a product called Peek, which works on anything. leans up a lid with no trouble at all, and can even be used to resurface a DVD!

Cheers,
Alec