Dual 1218 turntable - natural mahogany Sapeli veneer, classic shellac polish 

DUAL 1218 turntable - manufactured in the early 1970s. Pure sound and unique design of the past in a beautiful mahogany housing. Fully functional.

Read more...

Dual 1218 - a turntable with a traditional idler drive, manufactured in the early 1970s. The turntable has a wooden plinth (housing) covered with natural Sapela mahogany veneer. The whole thing was finished with over fifty layers of classic shellac pad polish ("French Polish"). All functions work properly. A record changer pin can be used in a turntable, the so-called spindle - it allows you to automatically listen to several records one after the other (the spindle is included in the set).

On request, we can prepare the turntable for use in the USA (replacing the motor pulley and changing the electrical connections, and adapting the motor to an electrical voltage of 110-125 V, 60 Hz).

The turntable has been completely overhauled and renovated - the old grease was removed, the entire mechanism was cleaned and re-lubricated. All its components have been checked and subjected to appropriate service and calibration. The engine has undergone a comprehensive technical inspection and lubrication - it maintains proper speed. The grease in the arm lift has been replaced with a new one, the lift works with appropriate resistance.

The turntable is operational and all functions work properly. Dual 1218 - is fully automatic: it allows you to start with one lever, after finishing playback, the arm automatically returns to the starting position. The start can also be initiated manually. It allows you to listen to vinyl records at three speeds: 33 1/3, 45 and 78 rpm. The latter speed allows you to listen to older shellac records (using the appropriate cartridge and stylus). An additional switch allows you to select the diameter of the discs to be played: 17, 25 and 30 cm (6.69", 9.84" and 11.81"). Additionally, the turntable is equipped with "Anti-Skating" and "Pitch-Control" adjustments (precise adjustment of the turntable rotation).

Everything works properly and offers a cultured, pleasant sound. An original, used SHURE M71 M-B cartridge with a spherical stylus is installed, in very good condition (data regarding the cartridge and stylus are based on electrical measurements and microscopic examinations). The headshell can accommodate all inserts with a 1/2 inch mounting, weighing from 1 to 12 g (0.04 to 0.42 oz) - including mounting elements.

After using the appropriate element (the so-called spindle), it is possible to automatically listen to up to 6 vinyl records - one after the other. The spindle is included with the turntable.

FINISHING TECHNIQUE USED:

The wooden plinth (housing) of the turntable was covered with natural Sapela mahogany veneer with a characteristic striped shine and finished with a classic wood decorating technique, i.e. shellac varnish from a tampon (another name: "French Polish"). Over fifty layers of polish were applied for this plinth.
This is a traditional, manual technique that has been used for hundreds of years, including: for decorating and protecting wooden furniture, musical instruments, works of art, as well as for the conservation of monuments.
Shellac polish, like no other finishing coating, wonderfully brings out the grain of the wood, gives it a beautiful color and, by penetrating the wood structure, an unprecedented depth - this effect is unattainable with other surface finishing techniques.

UPGRADE:

– arm wiring replaced with copper wire ("litz wire") with cotton braid, 7 x 0.07 mm (7 x 0.002"),
– new audio cables were used; interconnect - made on low-capacitance DK4 cable from Schulz-Kabel (Germany). Signal and ground cables were routed separately for each channel. The mass of the tonearm and the turntable are also carried separately - through the cable shield. New RCA "Amphenol" plugs were installed.
- replaced with a new power cord

BASIC TECHNICAL DATA – DUAL 1218:

- Power supply: 110-125V, 220-240V; 50-60 Hz – depending on the choice of replaceable motor pulley. Usually the motor is pre-set to 220-240V, 50Hz,
- Motor: synchronous motor, 4-pole, with flexible suspension,
- Drive system: idler drive - power transmission to the turntable platter using a very wear-resistant rubber tension wheel,
- Speeds: 33 1/3, 45 and 78 rpm,
- "Pitch" pitch adjustment range: 6% at all three speeds (approx. 1 musical semitone)
- Arm: torsionally rigid aluminum, with 4-point gyroscopic gimbal suspension,
- Turntable: antimagnetic; 2.1 kg (4.62 lb); diameter: 270 mm (10.63")
- Wow and Flutter: < +/- 0.09% (DIN 45507),
- Rumble (DIN 45500), weighted: > 59 dB.

DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT:

Dimensions: (L x W x H): approx. 430 x 374 x 180 mm (approx. 16.92” x 14.72” x 7.08”)
Weight: approx. 10 kg (approx. 22.04 lb)

SET CONTAINS:

- Dual 1218 turntable in a wooden plinth covered with natural mahogany veneer, finished with shellac polish - 1 pc.
- used, original SHURE M71 M-B cartridge with a spherical stylus - 1 pc.
- new dust cover, not original, from the "Simply Cover" series - 1 pc.
- single adapter - 1 pc.
- vinyl record changer spindle - 1 pc.
- Dual 1218 user manual - 1 pc.

INFO:

in the case of delivery to the USA, upon request, we provide free adaptation of the turntable motor to an electrical voltage of 110-125V/60 Hz along with replacing the appropriate motor pulley (the same applies to other countries where the voltage is 110-125 V AC/60 Hz ). The set also includes an adapter for a power socket (EU/US).

INFO:
- the vinyl record visible in the photos is not included in the sale.
- please remember that the colors visible in the photos depend on individual monitor settings and may differ from the real ones.