Dual 1009 (1963–1967)

A fully automatic turntable from West Germany that set early standards for high-fidelity record playback with precision engineering.

Overview

The Dual 1009 is an automatic turntable made by Dual in West Germany. It was built between 1963 and 1967, in the mid-1960s. It was the company's first major market success, and it is recognized as one of the first fully automatic turntables sold worldwide. It was designed for high-fidelity stereo playback and combines professional-grade performance with automatic operation: auto-start, tracking and trip functions. It runs at four speeds - 16⅔, 33⅓, 45 and 78 rpm - picked with a manual speed selector. The drive is an idler wheel. The tonearm gets its tracking force applied externally by a multiple-coiled mainspring, which maintains dynamic balance during playback.

Specifications

Product type	Automatic turntable
Manufacturer	Dual
Years of manufacture	1963 - 1967
Turntable speeds	16⅔, 33⅓, 45, and 78 rpm
Wow and flutter	less than 0.12%
Rumble	less than 38dB below signal
Cartridge weight compatibility	2–16 grams
Tracking force capability	as low as 12 gram
Platter weight	4 lb
Dimensions	376 × 308 mm
Country of manufacture	West Germany
Associated equipment	Shure V-IS cartridge, Shure control amplifier (as part of Shure M-100 stereo disc playback system)

Design

The Dual 1009 uses an idler wheel drive system and features a tonearm where tracking force is applied externally via a multiple-coiled mainspring, preserving dynamic balance. It supports cartridges weighing between 2 and 16 grams and allows precise setup for optimal record tracking.

Context

The 1009 was a breakthrough for Dual. It was their first major market hit and it established them in the global hi-fi market. It was the first fully automatic turntable to offer professional-level sound quality with consumer-friendly automation, and it set a new benchmark among high-end turntables of the 1960s.