The best time to upgrade your component system is before you buy it.

If you're a typical reader of this magazine, you most likely have a sizeable investment in a component system. So our advice about upgrading might come a little late.

What you might have overlooked, however, is the fact that your records are the costliest and most fragile component of all. As well as the only one you will continue to invest in.

And since your turntable is the only component that handles these valuable records, advice about upgrading your turntable is better late than never.

Any compromise here will be costly.

And permanent. Because there is just no way to improve a damaged record.

If the stylus can't respond accurately and sensitively to the rapidly changing contours of the groove walls, especially the hazardous peaks and valleys of the high frequencies, there's trouble. Any curve the stylus can't negotiate, it may lop off. And with those little bits of vinyl go the high notes and part of your investment.

If the record doesn't rotate at precisely the correct speed, musical pitch will be distorted. No amplifier tone controls can correct this distortion.

If the motor isn't quiet and free of vibration, an annoying rumble will accompany the music. You can get rid of rumble by using the bass control, but only at the expense of the bass you want to hear.

Experienced component owners know all this. Which is why so many of them, especially record reviewers and other music experts, won't play their records on anything but a Dual. From the first play on.

Now, if you'd like to know what several independent test labs say about Dual, we'll send you complete reprints of their reports.

Plus a reprint of an article from a leading music magazine telling you what to look for in record playing equipment. Whether you're upgrading or not.

Better yet, just visit your franchised United Audio dealer and ask for a demonstration.

You'll find Dual automatic turntables priced from $109.50 to $225.00. That may be more than you spent on your present turntable, or more than you were intending to spend on your next one.

But think of it this way. It will be a long, long time before you'll need to upgrade your Dual.

Dual 1214, $109.50; Dual 1218, $169.50; Dual 1215S, $125.00; Dual 1229, $225.00

Also see:

Dual 1229 turntable (ad, Dec. 1972)

Dual 1218 and 1229 turntables (ad, Apr. 1973)

Dual 12xx turntables (Jul. 1973)

Dual 1249 turntable (Jan. 1976)

Dual Model 1249 Automatic Turntable (Equipment Profile, Feb. 1977)

Dual 1249 turntable (ad, Sept. 1975)

Dual CS 5000 Turntable and Ortofon X3-MC Cartridge (Nov. 1988)

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