Pioneer CT-A1 Stereo Cassette Tape Deck

This Pioneer CT-A1 is a stereo cassette deck with Dolby B noise reduction, it was first sold by Pioneer in 1979 with a manufacturer suggested retail price of USD $1,350.

The main features of the Pioneer CT-A1 are: 3 heads and off-tape monitoring, digital tape counter with 4 digits and memory stop, manual tape type selection and capable of handling normal, chrome, ferro-chrome and metal tapes, dual capstan transport.

Typical front loading cassette deck with the cassette compartiment located on the left side of the deck. Tape eject is operated mechanically and the cassette needs to be placed directly over the head block. Additionally the heads can be easilly accessed for cleaning.

Level meters used on the CT-A1 are generic digital peak reading meters with multi-color indication to provide visual saturation level of tape and peak hold for easy adjustment of optimum recording level. Full-logic transport controls used on the CT-A1 let it respond to the slightest finger contact for fast and effortless transport function selection. Playback speed may be adjusted with pitch control.

To ensure the best response from the wide variety of tapes available adjustment of, bias, equalization and sensitivity, to optimum levels can be performed prior to recording.

The Dolby-B system reduces tape hiss on tapes recorded on the CT-A1 by as much as 10 dB at the highest frequencies. The 19kHz multiplex pilot slgnal present in FM stereo broadcasts can cause false triggering of the noise reduction system. The switchable MPX filter of the CT-A1 filters out the pilot signal, and assuring proper Dolby processing of FM stereo programs.

To make live recordings this deck has 2 microphone inputs to connect microphones with a jack connector. For undisturbed listening a jack connector for a pair of stereo headphones is supplied. Connection to other audio components for plaback can be achieved by a RCA cable and recording from a source by a RCA cable.

• Closed Loop Dual Capstan
• Quartz Lock Direct Drive
• 3 Head
• 2-Motor
• Auto BLE