Pioneer CT-910
¥ 99,800 (around 1979)
Commentary
3-head stereo cassette deck.
It uses a 3-head system with separate heads for recording, playback, and erasing. By thoroughly pursuing both recording and playback characteristics from their respective standpoints, it realizes high sound quality that cannot be obtained with a dual-head system.
In order to effectively realize three heads on a cassette deck, the CT 910 uses a combination head that packages individually made recording heads and reproducing heads into a single case. This keeps the gap parallelism of both heads constant and prevents azimuth deviation and crosstalk. A center mask is provided between the two heads to prevent magnetic interference and improve head touch.
The Sendust alloy originally developed by Pioneer is used in the head core of the recording and reproducing heads.
As a result, wear resistance, distortion factor characteristics at high input power, and high frequency are improved, while adhesion of magnetic powder and dust and generation of noise due to magnetization are minimized.
The mechanism section employs a closed-loop dual capstan system consisting of two capstan units. This system keeps the tension of the tape running in both capstan units constant at all times, resulting in extremely good head touch and preventing not only drop-outs and level fluctuations but also modulation noise caused by tape vibration.
The drive section uses a 2-motor system that uses an electronically controlled DC servo motor with a built-in generator for constant speed operation and a DC high torque motor for fast forward operation.
Equipped with an ATLC mechanism that instantly removes tape slack when the cassette half is mounted.
Equipped with FL level meter.
The level indicator uses 20 segments per channel and is designed to cover the range from -20 to + 7 dB. In addition, one segment per 1 dB is used for the range from -4 to + 7 dB, which is the most important for level monitoring. The two color indicator lights blue when the level is less than 0 dB and orange when the level is more than 0 dB. This makes level monitoring easier.
This FL meter displays the average and is a 3-step switching type that can switch the response characteristics to peak or peak hold by controlling the microprocessor.
It is equipped with a multipurpose memory mechanism using a microprocessor.
The CT 910 is equipped with an FL counter that provides a 3-digit digital display by inputting the rotational speed detection pulse of the reel base into a microprocessor. It also has an end-repeat function, memory stop, memory play, and counter repeat functions by the microprocessor's memory control function.
Equipped with a bias adjustment mechanism, it can be adjusted according to the characteristics of the tape to be used.
It adopts a full open loading system and can be securely mounted in cassette half.
It also comes with a dust protector that covers the head housing.
The operation part adopts a pure electronic control system using a logic circuit, so that it can move directly from any position to the next operation.
Equipped with a CrO2 position automatic switching mechanism.
STD and Fe-Cr can be switched manually.
The Dolby System is installed as a noise reduction system.
Equipped with a timer start button, you can record your absence or play an alarm clock in conjunction with the timer.
Equipped with an input selector that can switch between line and microphone inputs.
By using a separately sold rack mount adapter, it can be mounted on an EIA-standard rack.
Model Rating
| Type | Cassette deck |
| Heads | Recording : Sendust head Playing : Sendust head Erasing : ferrite heads |
| Motor | For constant-speed drive : Electronically controlled DC servo motor For Reel Drive : DC High Torque Motor |
| Uneven rotation | 0.04% or less (WRMS) |
| Frequency characteristic | General, LH Tape : 20 Hz ~ 17kHz/30Hz ~ 15 kHz ± 3 dB Ferrichrome Tape : 20 Hz ~ 19kHz/30Hz ~ 17 kHz ± 3 dB Chrome Tape : 20 Hz ~ 19kHz/30Hz ~ 17 kHz ± 3 dB |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | Dolby OFF : 54 dB or more (General / LH Tape) Dolby ON : 64 dB or More (5 kHz or More, General / LH Tape) * When chrome tape is used, it is further improved by 4.5 db (5 khz or more). |
| Distortion factor | 1.3% or less (0 dB) |
| Operating part | Full logic control Direct change system (feather touch button) |
| Input (Sensitivity / Maximum allowable input / Impedance) |
Mic : 0.3mV/100mV/30k Ω, 0.6 mm φ Jack (Applicable Impedance 250 Ω ~ 30k Ω) Line : 60mV/25V/100k Ω, Pin Jack |
| Output (Reference Level / Maximum Level / Impedance) |
Line : 450mV/640mV/50k Ω, Pin Jack Headphone : 63mV/90mV/4 ~ 16 Ω, 6 mm φ stereo jack |
| Accessory function | Dolby System (with LED display) Tape Selector (STD, Fe-Cr, CrO2, with LED Display) Automatic switching mechanism of CrO2 Variable bias mechanism Monitor switch (tape / source switchable) 2-Color FL Meter (Peak / Peak Hold / Average Switching Type) FL counter Automatic Tape Slack Removal (ATLC) Memory Stop / Play Counter repeat / End repeat Timer standby mechanism Input Selector (Line/Mic) Output volume Cassette rear illumination lamp |
| Semiconductor used | IC : 13 Transistor : 67 Diode : 57 pcs Zener diode : 7 pcs LED : 9 pcs |
| Pwer | 100 VAC, 50Hz/60Hz |
| Power consumption | 44W |
| External dimensions | Width 420x Height 187x Depth 368 mm Width 480x Height 187x Depth 368 mm (when JA-R102 is attached) |
| Weight | 10.1kg |
| Sold Separately | Rack-Mount Adapter JA-R102 (¥ 3,600) |