Price Paid:  $490.00 from Wessellings Advanced

Summary:
I used a Dual 1242 for a number of years. I used to stack rock lps on it and did not harm the lp surface from that . Previous to that table I owned a Dual 1218. That table as some of you might remember was idler wheel drive and VERY quiet. Every couple of years you had to get the cuing lever fluid redone with wacker silicone grease. I used to maintain my Duals with factory service manuals obtained from Klaus Zwicker I think his name was down around Wingold Avenue in Toronto, Canada . That as many of you may remember was in the day when you could actually purchase OEM parts easily. Also owned another top line multi play capable Dual but the model escapes my memory.

Strengths:
GREAT turntable. Played a lot of junky LPs turned out years ago.

Weaknesses:
Repack silicone in cuing control every couple years. Not a big deal though.

Similar Products Used:
Marantz integrated amp,Thorens manual table,Shure V15 Type 3,4,5,M91ED,Phono Cartridges. Rectilinear 11a, Rectilinear 12 , Speakers.

Summary:
This is an excellent turntable for someone looking for quality at a low price. A good specimen can be had for about $50. It is a very quiet and neutral sounding machine thanks to its precision belt-drive and excellent arm. The gimble-mounted DUAL tonearms are among the very best of the mass-produced arms.

The 1242 is vintage early 80s and is essentially a fully automatic version of the CS 505. They are almost identical in appearance. The 1242 can take a changer spindle and up to six records (I wouldn't dream of stacking!) and is therefore more mechanically complex than the 505 and more prone to breakdown. That said, the DUALs are remarkably durable as long as they are properly lubricated every couple of years.

I use either a STANTON 681EEE cartridge (my everyday setup) or an Audio Technica 440ML (a nice model with a linear-contact stylus and a beryllium stylus cantilever.

One caveat: The overhang guage that comes with older DUALs is a joke. Get and use a good alignment protractor. They are cheap and they work much better. Otherwise, the DUALS are a cinch to set-up.

Strengths:
Very good, low-mass tonearm. Very quiet operation. Looks great. Fine sound when used with a good cartridge.

Weaknesses:
Dust cover scratches very easily and is not that attractive. Fortunately it is very easy to remove.

Similar Products Used:
DUAL CS-450