28 February 2019

PIONEER CT-F1250 (1979) - Fluroscan Master Recorder

cassette deck

When PIONEER designed the new (1979) CT-F1250, they not only raised the performance standards of high quality decks, they also lowered the standard price. Instead ot the two heads found in most metal cabale tape decks (in 1979), the CT-F1250 has three. They are not simply modified for this advancement, the CT-F1250 has been specially designed for Metal tapes. The new "small window" erase head makes a big difference in making sure all metal tapes are wiped completely clean. The Uni-Crystal Ferrite recording and playback heads give a greater frequency response and better wear-resistance than the ordinary ferrite and Sendust alloy heads you'll find on most other tape decks. Instead of the single capstan transport, the CT-F1250 has a closed-loop dual capstan, similar to that found in the remarkable RT-909 open-reel deck. This system keeps the tape in perfect contact with the heads at all times. So you are assured of getting everything that's on the tape. Nothing more, nothing less. What's more, the CT-F1250 ha sa Quartz Locked Direct Drive capstan motor that senses the slightest deviation in speed and automatically corrects it to keep wow and flutter down to an unbelievable 0.03%. 

It's engineering innovations like these that make the CT-F1250 so remarkable. But equally remarkable are the features that make the CT-F1250 so remarkable. Like the specially engineered Tape Calibration System that lets you quickly set bias level, Dolby adjustment, and record equalization for the best possible signal-to-noise ratio, the lowest distortion, and the best high frequency response. The 24 segment Fluroscan meter that works on PIONEER's own microprocessor to give a more accurate reading of what you're listening to. It even has Peak, Peak Hold, and Average Buttons that let you record without fear of overload. In addition the PIONEER CT-F1250 has a digital brain with a memory that controls four differnt memory functions. Plus pitch control. Mic/line mixing. Independent left/right input/output controls. And more.


cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck


10 February 2019

JVC DD-99 (1982) - Another Step Closer to Reality

cassette deck

When introduced in 1982 the JVC (Victor in Japan) DD-99 promised open reel sound quality with cassette convenience. To achieve this the DD-99 combines such high-technology JVC innovations as a Quartz-Lock, direct-drive Pulse Servo Motor with two new twists: a Double Servo and Multiplied Bridge Drive. Add them to a three-head design using an X-cut SA combination Rec/Play head and the B.E.S.T. tuning system, and you get peerless performance. The Quartz-Lock, direct-drive Pulse Servo Motor improves speed accuracy. Using a low-rpm direct-drive motor, the highly accurate tape transport of the DD-99 is simplicity itself. The coreless design completely eliminates jerky motion called "cogging" while speed accuracy is provided by means of a quartz-referred Double-Servo circuit, together with new "Multiplied Bridge Drive". 

The B.E.S.T. tuning system automatically compensates for any differences in Bias, Equalization and Sensitivity for flat response (from 40 to 12,500Hz +/-1dB) from any tape. It's done by means of a built-in computer and takes only about 30 seconds. Three heads - JVC's exclusive X-cut SA combination Rec/Play head (two heads in one housing), and two-gap SA Erase head - provide two very important benefits. One, it allows you to monitor your recordings as they're being made, and two, it means every head is provided with an optimum gap width - no compromises. The clearly discernible X-shaped core of the playback head eliminates the so-called contour effect, assuring smoother overall response. 

The two motor full-logic control tape transport features a tension stabilizing loop. The supply reel is connected to the takeup reel by means of a belt which supplies the proper hold-back tension throughout play or recording. It's an electrical system, no mechanical friction is emplyed to create tension. Therefore, tension is always uniform, and stability will not deteriorate with the passage od time.


cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck

cassette deck




03 February 2019

AKAI PRO 1000 (1977) - New Height in Open-Reel Decks

reel to reel

The AKAI PRO 1000 from 1977 is a magnificient two-box rarity with impressive technical specifications that unfortunately didn't sell too well. The AKAI PRO 1000 features a 3-Motor/Double-Capstan tape transport system. For the capstan drive, this system uses an AC servo motor with a built-in CPG (Center Pole Generator) to provide smooth, stable operation while two 6-pole eddy current motors are emplyed for the left and right reel drives. Due to the high quality mechanism of this machine, tape speed deviation is +/-0.5% and wow and flutter is 0.025% WRMS at 15 ips. Excellent sound quality can be obtained at either 15 ips, 7-1/1 ips or 3-3/4 ips speed. The AKAI PRO 1000 is a four head, 2-track mastering machine that's as much at home on location as it is in the studio. A 2-track recorder will only record a tape one direction while the tracks are wider for higher quality. For further compatibility the AKAI PRO 1000 features beside the 1/2 track GX record and 1/2 GX playback head a 1/4 track GX playback head for compatibility with tapes recorded on 4 track recorders. Two large meters can be switched between peak level or VU meter but they can also be used as Bias Check display. Setting the meter changeover to Bias Check, the meters will indicate the amount of bias thus making the setting for various tape formulations extremely simple. The standard level (center click-stop) was calibrated to match Scotch #206 tape while the continuous adjustment for bias (+/-40%) brings out the full characteristics of every tape.


reel to reel

reel to reel

reel to reel

reel to reel

reel to reel

reel to reel