So here you have my classic Dual 1214 idler-drive turntable. This is a brilliant performing record deck from one of the best known and most prolific German turntable manufacturers.

These old Duals are built like tanks and are known to just run and run and run... all they need is a little TLC every few years.

Not only that but they sound great, having been well engineered and superbly constructed.

It's a 3-speed model: 33.33, 45 and 78RPM with speed adjustment to 1 semitone (6%) at all speeds. Wow and flutter is less than 0.15%, rumble under 35dB and the signal to noise ratio is less than 55dB. Also features fully adjustable anti-skate and tracking force.

The 1214 auto-manual turntable offers the same precision engineering as Dual's more expensive models. The low mass, rigid, tubular tonearm has near-frictionless movement in the vertical and horizontal planes due to hardened steel pivots, each supported by miniaturized ball bearings. The adjustable silicon damped cueing system, functioning both in manual and automatic mode, allows the tonearm to be lowered to any groove of the record and is piston actuated preventing side-shift of the tonearm. The master switch is operated by means of a feather-light, horizontal sliding lever, for shock-free operation.

Lots of great reviews over at VinylEngine: "All in all these old DUAL idlers are rock solid performers! Actually it outperforms any newer turntable I have ever owned" "The basic design is exemplary, with an arm far better than it probably needed to be." "They are extremely solid performers that will play for decades"

This has been sitting in my garage for years as a restoration project, waiting for me to make a start. But the reality is that I haven't got the time and it's just taking up space.

Please check photos for condition. The turntable is in excellent condition, but the cabinet is pretty worn out. The lid is broken at the back. The unit also includes a Fountain 'Mandarin' amp - operating condition unknown.

Collection is Birkdale.