Dual

About the Company

Dual — German Reel-to-Reel Tape Deck Manufacturer

Company: Dual (Gebrüder Steidinger)
Country: West Germany
Headquarters / Production: St. Georgen, Black Forest
Active in Reel-to-Reel Production: Early 1960s – mid-1970s
Market Focus: Consumer and hi-fi open-reel tape decks
Reputation: Mechanical precision, conservative engineering, reliability

Company Background

• Dual was founded in 1907 by the Steidinger brothers and became internationally famous for:
  Turntables
  Record changers
  Precision mechanical assemblies

• By the late 1950s, Dual was one of Europe’s most respected consumer audio manufacturers, prompting expansion into other hi-fi components, including tape recorders.

Entry into Reel-to-Reel Tape Recording (Early 1960s)

• Dual entered the reel-to-reel market in the early 1960s, slightly later than some German rivals such as Grundig and Telefunken.

• Unlike some competitors, Dual emphasized:
  Mechanical refinement
  Ease of use
  Long service life

Early Dual tape decks were:

• Tube-based initially, transitioning quickly to solid-state

• Mostly stereo

• Designed for home hi-fi systems, not professional studios

1960s: Establishing the Product Line

Typical features of 1960s Dual decks:

• 3¾ and 7½ ips tape speeds

• 5″ and 7″ reel support

• Integrated amplifiers and speakers on entry models

• Conservative electronics with high build quality

Notable Early Models

• Dual TG 12

• Dual TG 15

• Dual TG 20

These models helped establish Dual as a quality-oriented alternative to mass-market tape recorders.

Early–Mid 1970s: Peak of Dual Reel-to-Reel Production

Dual’s reel-to-reel engineering matured in the early 1970s, producing its best-known decks.

Flagship and Notable Models

• Dual TG 28
  Three-motor transport
  Three-head configuration
  Half-track stereo
  Widely regarded as Dual’s finest open-reel deck

• Dual TG 29
  Simplified successor to the TG 28
  Focused on reliability and affordability

Key technical features:

• Precision-machined transports

• Stable capstan motors

• Excellent wow & flutter performance

• Neutral, accurate sound character

Dual decks were frequently paired with Dual turntables and amplifiers as part of full hi-fi systems.

Market Position

• Dual reel-to-reel machines occupied the upper consumer / lower semi-professional tier.

• They competed most directly with:
  Revox (lower models)
  Philips hi-fi decks
  Higher-end Grundig units

Dual generally avoided the true professional studio market dominated by Studer, Telefunken M-series, and Ampex.

Decline and End of Production

• By the mid-1970s, the consumer reel-to-reel market was in decline due to:
  Rapid improvement in cassette deck performance
  Rising manufacturing costs in Germany

• Dual discontinued reel-to-reel tape deck production around 1976–1977.

• The company refocused on:
  Turntables (its core strength)
  Cassette decks and other hi-fi components

Legacy

• Dual reel-to-reel tape decks are today:
  Well respected for mechanical durability
  Valued by collectors for build quality and sound neutrality

• The TG 28 is considered one of the best German consumer open-reel decks of the era.

Summary

Dual was a West German manufacturer of reel-to-reel tape decks from the early 1960s to the mid-1970s, applying its renowned mechanical expertise to open-reel recording. Though never a professional studio supplier, Dual produced high-quality consumer and hi-fi decks, culminating in the highly regarded TG 28. As cassette technology advanced, Dual exited the reel-to-reel market and returned its focus to turntables, where its legacy remains strongest.