Restored Dual vs. Restored Technics

Thank for your thoughts. You can read all the reviews you want but at the end of the day, nothing is as helpful as comments from actual owners.

I owned a Dual 1229 years ago and don't understand the hype. They're Rube Goldberg machines and extremely prone to breakage even when properly restored. My steuerpimpel broke days after getting it freshly restored from a seller. Everything else, like speed stability, also seemed a bit fuzzy. I'm guessing my restoration was not the greatest, but I'd still take most tables over a Dual. In a few years if some of the restoration starts to deteriorate, you'll have to pay to have it fixed again. Technics would be better by far. If anything, save up for a better Technics.

what do you get with the auto that you don't get with the semi-auto? I think the biggest weakness of the Dual is how it starts playing, the zigzaggy weirdness which is prone to break. I can't stand it. I personally prefer 100% manual tables. 

As for the looks, the Dual is infinitely better looking than the Technics, for my taste.

One reason I’d go Dual is if you run high compliance carts and need a low mass arm. I use a 1218 at work with a Shure V15 TIII.

Between the 1400 and 1229 I’d probably take the Dual if only for aesthetics. The 1400 is sort of low on the Technics totem pole while the Dual is well, a Dual.

Could you explain why you'd rather have the dual? Is it for the way it sounds? The way it works? The durability?

I'd take the 1229 10 times out of 10.

Build wise, the old Dual won't perform nearly as well as a Pro-Ject. 

So, given a choice:

Technics > Pro-Ject > Restored Dual

I have the 1229 in my collection. An excellent turntable! Keep the Technics! It has better specs. Money saved can go to upgrades as you mentioned. Automatic function of a TT is IMO not important.

Only my opinion, but unless you are going to start collecting or take the chance of not liking the Dual, I’d skip Dual.