The summary of ‘DUAL Turntable Talk with Bill Neumann from FixMyDual.com’

00:00:00

In this part of the video, Kevin from Sky Labs interviews Bill Newman, the owner of fixmyduel.com and an expert in vintage Dual turntables. Bill shares his history with Dual turntables, starting from his first purchase in 1971, and his experiences with different models. He explains the build quality and durability that set Dual apart from other brands and how the shift in market trends and competition from Japanese manufacturers affected the company. Bill discusses his mechanically inclined background and how he transitioned from rebuilding Corvettes to refurbishing Dual turntables. This hobby evolved into a full-time business following the success of his website. He highlights the meticulous process of maintaining and servicing these turntables, focusing on cleaning and using high-speed machine oil instead of grease to avoid attracting dirt. Moreover, Bill mentions the satisfaction he derives from the work, the passion that drives him, and his practice of taking customer units home to work on them daily. The business has grown to the point that they consistently manage significant sales and service volume each week, with a wide stock of Dual turntables available for customers.

00:10:00

In this part of the video, the speaker discusses their woodworking background, particularly in crafting walnut lumber bases from high-quality Iowa walnut. They collaborate with a local sawmill to bring in these materials. The speaker emphasizes the importance of both aesthetic and functional quality in vintage audio equipment, advocating for their restoration process which uses new components such as wood, dust covers, and cartridges for a ‘like-new’ appearance and performance.

The discussion extends to manufacturing replacement parts using 3D printing and other modern techniques to replicate or even improve upon original wear items. The speaker highlights their preference for the 12 series Dual turntables, specifically the 1219, over the 10 series due to advancements in technology and design during the 1960s.

Furthermore, the speaker elaborates on the differences between idler wheel drives and belt drives, noting that idler wheels, despite being more costly and complex, offer better performance due to heavier, more substantial components that are less prone to variations and rumble. They also mention how issues such as rumble have been addressed in newer models, and how direct drive systems like the Dual 701 provide a noise-free experience by eliminating mechanical coupling.

00:20:00

In this segment of the video, the discussion revolves around the proper maintenance and use of turntables, specifically Dual models. The speaker emphasizes the importance of keeping the turntable plugged in to avoid unnecessary pops caused by capacitors not allowing a trickle of electricity. He contrasts the benefits of automatic turntables, which shut off or lift up automatically, with manual ones that require user intervention. The speaker advises customers on choosing the right turntable based on their listening habits, stressing that high-end models like the 701 are best for dedicated audiophiles who can appreciate their nuances. He shares an anecdote about a professor who noticed a previously unheard sound detail with a 701. The segment also covers considerations for entry-level turntables, suggesting less expensive options for practical use, such as college students. Additionally, there’s a mention of retrofitting dual turntables into old consoles and the advantages of custom inserts produced via CNC router for this purpose. Finally, the speaker recounts assisting a movie production company in sourcing period-accurate turntables for a film set in 1969, highlighting his expertise and the authenticity demanded in such projects.

00:30:00

In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the importance of maintaining period correctness in movie productions, focusing specifically on items like record players and other audiovisual equipment. He mentions his involvement in ensuring the accuracy of items used in films, such as the Shure n91e, used to maintain historical authenticity. The speaker also shares anecdotes about working with production teams, highlighting the urgent and detailed nature of their requests.

The conversation then shifts to a detailed discussion about his personal preference for Dual turntables over other brands. He explains his choice based on their user-friendliness and compatibility with cleaning tools like the Discwasher. The speaker reminisces about his experiences in college with Dual turntables and compares them to other brands he found less satisfactory.

Further, he mentions the Dual 701 as a favorite model, noting its build quality and reliability, despite common issues like capacitor failure. He also shares a story about a customer from Grand Rapids, Michigan, who wanted to rebuild her late husband’s stereo system with a specific turntable model, reflecting on the emotional connections people have with these products. The speaker underscores the joy and satisfaction he derives from helping customers restore and maintain their cherished audio equipment.

00:40:00

In this part of the video, the speaker praises the mechanical skills and quick work of Bill in repairing a turntable, highlighting how well it performed after the repair. They discuss the issues with Grado cartridges, particularly the hum they can produce, which is generally due to improper setup or dirty contacts rather than the cartridge itself. The conversation shifts to cartridge preferences and the history of Shure and Ortofon cartridges, noting Ortofon’s current reliability and superior sound quality.

The speaker also contrasts Bill’s mechanical expertise with the skills of electronics technicians, emphasizing the distinct mindsets required for each profession. An anecdote about the speaker’s father, who is also a skilled mechanic, illustrates the innate ability some people have for mechanical work. Bill shares his perspective on retirement, indicating he has no immediate plans to retire because he enjoys his work, and mentions his sons are pursuing careers as engineers rather than following in his footsteps. The segment closes with a reflection on the importance of passion in mechanical work.

00:50:00

In this segment, the discussion revolves around the importance of passion in producing quality work and succeeding in industries like recording. The conversation touches on how some industries test passion by making individuals work for free or even pay to work. The speaker transitions to the topic of vinyl records, emphasizing the need for proper care and maintenance to avoid issues like pops and cracks. It’s noted that many new enthusiasts might not realize the effort required to maintain records and achieve a good listening experience. They also discuss the re-education needed for both new and returning vinyl enthusiasts, highlighting the complexity of vinyl setups compared to modern plug-and-play devices. Proper customer guidance, including packing instructions and setup tips, is stressed to ensure a satisfactory experience with vinyl equipment.

01:00:00

In this part of the video, the discussion focuses on the importance of understanding customer needs, especially when selling record players, to ensure customer satisfaction and positive online reputations. The speaker emphasizes the significant differences between vintage and modern turntables. They highlight that vintage turntables, like those made by Dual in the 1970s, were built with higher quality materials and engineering, meant to last for years. In contrast, modern equipment often prioritizes lower cost, which can result in lower quality and disposability. The conversation also delves into the changing values and spending habits on audio equipment over the decades and the historical background of the Dual brand, which was named after its dual power capabilities. Finally, there are expressions of mutual respect and gratitude as the speakers conclude the interview, encouraging viewers to visit fixmydual.com for more information.

01:10:00

In this part of the video, the speaker expresses gratitude to Kevin and the viewers for watching the Skylabs video. They emphasize the importance of feedback in the comments regarding the video’s style and praise Bill for his wealth of knowledge and enjoyable discussions. The speaker also thanks viewers for subscribing, liking, and sharing, and concludes with a farewell, looking forward to the next video.