Pioneer CT-F900 cassette deck (ad, Jun. 1979)

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THE CT-F900.THE FIRST 3-HEADED, DUAL CAPSTAN CASSETTE DECK THAT OFFERS FLUROSCAN METERING, DOUBLE-DOLBY A DIGITAL BRAIN AND BIASING BY EAR.

Innovation is nothing new to Pioneer.

We were the first to introduce the high power receiver. Sooner or later everyone followed.

We were the first to create the front loading cassette deck. And the first with a quartz lock loop turntable that was as easy on the budget as it was on the ear.

Again, our competition had no alternative but to follow.

So now that Pioneer introduces the CT-F900, we expect that soon there'll be a few rushed-through imitations that have our look. Bur nor our value.

This-is no small coincidence. And it's nothing we're unaccustomed to. It's a simple case of follow the leader.

A METERING SYSTEM AS FAST AS THE SPEED OF SOUND. Conventional cassette decks are all plagued with the same problem. Either they have slow to react VU meters that give you average readings or slightly more advanced LED's that give you limited resolution.

Pioneer offers a better resolution. A Fluroscan metering system that's so fast and so precise, it provides a more accurate picture of what you're listening to It covers the range of -20 dB to +7 dB in 20 easy-to-read calibrations. And while other meters may work within that same range, in terms of precision they're not even in the same neighborhood.

The CT-F900 has a Peak Button that lets you register all the peaks in the incoming signal. And lets you register an unheard of level of harmonic distortion. Less than 1.3%. A Peak Hold Button that retains the highest peak level in each channel. So you can record at the highest level possible without fear of overload.

And an Average Button that makes the Fluroscan meter respond like an ordinary level meter.


A DIGITAL BRAIN WITH AN INCREDIBLE MEMORY. All cassette decks have tape counters. Even the most respectable ones have mechanical counters you can't really count on.

Pioneer's designed the most precise electronic way of keeping track of your tracks.

As the take up reel rotates, pulses are fed to a microprocessor which provides a three digit readout oil an electronic tape counter.

The terminology may be difficult to understand, but the benefit of all this is simple. Precision. Dependability. And convenience.

Many of these "better" cassette decks also claim they have advanced memories. But there are functions that even the best of them haven't been programmed to remember.

The CT-F900 has the first electronic memory of its kind that performs four different functions.

Memory Stop automatically stops the tape wherever you select. Memory Play rewinds the tape to this spot and then automatically goes into the play mode. Counter Repeat rewinds the cassette when the end of the tape is reached. Then begins replaying the tape wherever you want it to begin. End Repeat automatically rewinds the tape.

And then replays it from the beginning for endless listening.

WE'RE HARD HEADED, BUT SENSITIVE. Every audiophile will agree that to achieve professional quality recording, three heads are better than two.

And while you can expect three heads from most reputable cassette decks, you can also expect that they're either made of ferrite or permalloy.

The CT-F900 has recording and playback heads made of a newly developed Sendust Alloy. [his remarkable bit of technology gives you higher frequency response (20-19,000 Hz.) and lower distortion than ferrite.

And better wear-resistance than permalloy.

BIASING BY THE MOST SOPHISTICATED AUDIO EQUIPMENT KNOWN TO MAN. HIS EAR While many of today's "equipped" cassette decks let you monitor during recording, what they don't do is let you control what you monitor.

The T-F900 allows you to bias by ear. Which means you have almost as much control over your rape deck as you would over any other musical instrument.

By simply switching between the Source and tape monitors and adjusting your bias control, you can make sure that what comes out of your cassette deck is as clean and crisp as what went into it.

5. FEATURES OTHERS DON'T EVEN OFFER. These are just a few of the features that will soon change the face of all cassette decks. The CT-F900 also offers features like a double Dolby" noise reduction system that eliminates noise in both record monitoring and playback. And reduces tape hiss to-64 dB. Solenoid push button controls that give you direct function switching so you can go directly from one mode to another without damaging the tape. A two motor, dual capstan drive system that gives you stable head contact, constant tape movement, and an inaudible 0.04-, wow and flutter. And circuitry that lets you hook the CT-F9C0 to an external timer so you can make recordings e\ en when you're not there.

Obviously, all that went into the CT-F900 sounds impressive. But it's not halt as impressive as what comes out of it.

Given all this, it's not surprising that sooner or later all cassette decks will be built along the lines of the CT-F900. Bur even then there will be that fine line that has always separated Pioneer from the competition.

Value.

PIONEER

We bring it back alive.

C1978 U.S. Pioneer Electronics Corp., High Fidelity Components.

85 Oxford Drive, Moonachie. N.J, 07074, USA .

Also see:

Pickering phono cartridges (ad. Jun. 1979)


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Updated: Friday, 2022-06-03 11:27 PST