Re: Resurrecting a 1219 DUAL TurntableDavid Ballinger wrote:
> "RF" <RF@Den.con> wrote in message
> news:Rrh5j.2901$Vq.716@nlpi061.nbdc.sbc,com ...
>> David Ballinger wrote:
>>> "RF" <RF@Den.con> wrote in message
>>> news:tH65j.79243$Um6.72641@newssvr12.news.prodigy,net ...
>>>> Hi All,
>>>>
>>>> I have taken my 1219 Dual out of a closet with the intention of
>>>> recording a few hundred 33rpm records.
>>>> Mechanically it works fine but electrically is sems to be dead. The
>>>> connector on the end of the output wires was an
>>>> old antique, and the cord was looking doubtful, so I replaced it with
>>>> one that had two RCA connectors. I had to solder two spade connectors to
>>>> the wires to connect into the turntable socket.
>>>>
>>>> I loaded a record and it went through all the correct mechanical motions
>>>> but there was no sound out. I connected the DUAL's 2 output wires to a
>>>> Sony amplifier that had speakers attached - still no sound - and then
>>>> directly to the Audio In on the back of my computer - also no sound. I
>>>> connected the output wires of a tape unit first to the amplifier and
>>>> then to the rear of my computer and there was sound both times, so the
>>>> problems is with the turntable.
>>>>
>>>> I checked the continuity of the output cables by connecting a multimeter
>>>> to each RCA connector and the corresponding contact on the arm - with
>>>> the cartridge removed. Each was continuous. Then I checked the
>>>> continuity of the two inner ground contacts at the rear of the cartridge
>>>> with the Dual's ground connector, which was attached to the shell of the
>>>> amplifier. Continuity was present.
>>>>
>>>> Is it reasonable to assume that the cartridge has gone belly up? The
>>>> stylus appears to be ok. The transparent cover that came with the unit
>>>> was in place for years, so damage to the cartridge from storage is very
>>>> unlikely. Old age possibly?
>>>>
>>>> Opinions appreciated.
>>>>
>>>> TIA
>>>>
>>>> RF
>> Thanks David.
>>
>>> As the owner of a Dual 1019, I have been there and done that.
>> Good news!
>>
>>> You didn't say if you had a magnetic or ceramic cartridge, ceramics don't
>>> age well, but it would be strange for both sides of a magnetic to fail.
>>> The rubber bits get hard and sound poor, but still have some output.
>> It's a Shure M55E. According to:
>> http :// www .arcticcorsair.f9.co.uk/audio/kit/shure-m55.html
>> it's a magnetic cartridge.
>>
>>> I haven't had the pleasure of a 1219, but on the 1019 the silver contact
>>> between the head shell and the tone arm on mine never does well on the
>>> first attempt. It is soft and doesn't have enough spring tension to make
>>> good contact and the silver tarnishes badly.
>> At the top rear of the cartridge there are 4 contacts with a little
>> silvering - solder probably
>> to prevent copper tarnish. The two outer contacts are supposed to connect
>> with the
>> right and left audio channel contacts in the tone arm and the two middle
>> contacts are grounds.
>> I don't see any contacts in the shell at that height. There are four
>> soldered contacts in the
>> tone arm but at a level lower than the cartridge.
>>
>> I pulled off all four contacts from the pins at the rear of the cartridge
>> and pushed them back on again.
>> The four contacts at the top rear of the cartridge I moved gently and
>> found that they were springy and
>> could move in and out a little. I'm puzzled about how they make contact
>> with the tone arm because there is
>> nothing silvered at their level in the arm.
>>
>> There is also a narrow springy contact at the top of the rear middle of
>> the tone arm. It is attached at the
>> top and tapers near the bottom. I think this is probably meant to retain
>> the cartridge in place.
>>
>> I reassembled and attempted to play the record but still no sound.
>>
>>> It tends to heal electrically with the sealing current of an ohmmeter
>>> only for one side or other going randomly open during play.
>> That location is not too easy to view. I used a small mirror that helped
>> but it doesn't show me any
>> silvered contacts that would mate with the four cartridge contacts.
>>
>>> Another thing to check some models had a mute switch that shorts out the
>>> audio path whenever the tonearm isn't down and playing, two little leaf
>>> switches that run on a cam on the large gear that operates the tonearm
>>> return mechanism, if the old grease gets stiff it might not move
>>> properly.
>> This switch I would like to find. I take it is the large gear is the
>> plastic (or similar)
>> amber- colored one - about 4"-5" across or thereabouts. Will check it
>> soon. I'm realiy
>> getting tired of taking the turntable out of the box and replacing it.
>> Methinks I'll
>> temporarily remove those three pesky little screws that are always in the
>> way.
>>
>>> They are good machines, but do require occasional maintenance and
>>> lubrication, and if you haven't yet check the rubber drive roller, it has
>>> probably gotten a bit hard.
>> If this is the roller that drives the brass spindle, it is in excellent
>> shape. Firm and flexible.
>> The head moves across the record as it always did in the past. I have no
>> apparent
>> problem with the mechanicals.
>>
>>> Good luck, and post a note when you solve this one.
>>> David
>> Thanks again David. I'll keep in touch about it.
>>
>> RF
>
> Found this hope it helps picture is worth a thousand words and push that
> little piece of metal you use to pick up the tonearm, the one on the side of
> the cartridge shell, toward the rear of the cartridge holder it will arc
> back about 10 degrees and release the head shell; see manual---
> a.. www .vinylengine,com /library model.php?make=Dual&selected model19
> you should see all the contacts, hope this helps
> David
Thanks again David, especially for the manual.
I have already taken off the cartridge many times.
That is one great manual. You should see what I was given when I bought
mine. It had 7
dinky little drawings and 17 very small photos. Very poor explanations
also.
Still working on it.
Back soon.
RF