Introduced in 1979 the PIONEER CT-A1 is one of the top recorders of all time featuring a Quartz Lock Direct Drive Closed Loop Dual Capstan mechanism, 3 Head System and Automatic Bias Level Equlizer Tuning System. The CT-A1 can get the best out of every tape, because it has a microcomputer that works like a lab technician, testing each tape and making precise recording adjustments. The AUTO - B.L.E. system automatically determines optimum bias/level/EQ, and stores this data for 9 different types of tape in its memory. Like a technician, AUTO - B.L.E. applies a test tone to the tape, then varies the bias current over 64 possible steps. It then scans the tape in playback to determine optimum bias with an accuracy of +/-0.2dB. It sets optimum level and EQ the same way. You get the most out of Metal, Normal, CrO2 and Fe-Cr tapes. And it takes less than 45 seconds.
To avoid pitch variations the CT-A1 uses a dual capstan mechanism. The "drive" capstan's speed is regulated by a quartz-phase lock loop system that detects any speed variations, and instantly corrects them. Speed drift is less than 0.02% and wow & flutter drops to an amazingly low 0.03% WRMS. The CT-A1 out-performs all other cassette decks, and rivals the best reel-to-reel. Signal to Noise with Dolby on is -70dB. Double Dolby allows you to record with Dolby, while monitoring it with Dolby. The 3-head system with Uni-Crystal Ferrite heads achieves a frequency response of 20Hz-20kHz, -20dB with metal tape. The fluorescent meter gives you 24-segment resolution for easy readings from -30dB to +8dB. Since PIONEER briefly acquired the Phase Linear company this model was available for a short time also as Phase Linear Model 7000 Series Two however these were silver models while the PIONEER models were all black.