Pioneer Silver Rack System. Vintage Amplifier Tuner Tape Decks Reel To Reel & Cassette Classic Audio

A Pioneer silver rack repair and restoration video. This classic vintage Pioneer system consists of the SA-8800 integrated amplifier, RT-901 reel to reel and CT-F950 cassette tape decks along with the TX-D1000 tuner. Each of these components include the beautiful blue fluoroscan display's that were only available from 1979-1982. I detail the disassembly and repair of the RT-901 reel to reel tape tensioners which always are an issue in this tape deck. I also show the replacement of the belts and the idler tire in the CT-F950 cassette deck. I include cleaning tips that I used on the SA-8800 integrated amplifier. At the end of the video I show this beautiful vintage Pioneer system in action with all of the components mounted in an original Pioneer rack.
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[@statedace3]

I was in my mid teens in the 80's and seen these peices for sale at the yard sales and flea markets growing up now in my early 50's I wish I'd cut more grass and grabed all this audio equipment back then.they just don't make quality built audio equipment thats going to last for 40+ years.This channel just makes my mouth water looking at those masterpeices thanks for sharing.

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Your welcome and thank you very much for being part of the channel. I'm a little older then you being in my early 60's but I think we have similar stories. I worked at Pizza Hut and I couldn't afford a Pioneer rack system. I was purchasing $300 receivers. So much beautifully engineered and built audio equipment back in the day. Even the less expensive audio gear of the day was excellent.

[@janath9118]

I am a man of late 50's living in Asia. I like to tell you that I had the same experiences as both of you had and I agree with your view. Those high quality and durable stereo components were from a glorious past which are never to come back. I wished I had them those days but sadly unable to afford at that time. Nostalgic memories! Thanks for sharing. Sorry about the late comment.

[@alex.ann_der]

Dude, if there's a way to enjoy life, it would be this. The greatest way to spend thousands of dollars is precisely on this vintage audio systems. Must be preserved forever. I admire you bro, must be living a dream

[@vintageaudioaddict]

It's a fun hobby for me. Thanks a lot for watching.

[@toddcrookham515]

As a teenager I had a nice system, but I always wanted more. More for me was the Pioneer RT-909! Of course on my budget of after school work and summertime jobs I had no hope of getting that beautiful reel to reel tape player. Fast forward 40 years and I've bought and had restored a beautiful 909 and it is the most amazing piece of audio equipment that I own. Would I recommend a reel to reel tape player for everyone absolutely not, but every person I've demonstrated mine to has fallen in love with it and it's amazing analog sound. People forget just how good analog sound is! Thanks for your video.

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Your welcome and thank you for sharing your story. So many of us were like you. Young and didn't have a lot of money. I had a stereo also as a teen but there was no way I could afford a Pioneer rack system. Reel to reels are such impressive machines that they are hard to ignore when you walk into a room that has one. Thanks again and keep enjoying your equipment and the music.

[@brunster64]

Just adore rows and rows of switches and buttons on audio equipment Modern “menu systems” and multi function controls really don’t get me off

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Same here. The vintage audio equipment really was nice looking. Even today, have a rack system like this is a room and people have to go check it out when they see it.

[@francescodali224]

hi..very nice complements, they were the golden years for high fidelity. Very well preserved, greetings from Italy

[@TheDarrenSR]

Such pride in the Build quality and looks of the old equipment , I miss that

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Your not kidding. Just beautiful audio equipment that was made to last and it has.

[@TheDarrenSR]

My dad had a Sansui 1000x and a set of SP2000 speakers , record player and Tape with an Akai Reel to reel. It's I pity he let the 1000x go to a friend when he bought his 1st AV 5.1 surround amp. I still have the SP2000 speakers , the boxes are tired so I have removed the squakers , tweeters and 12" woofers and cross over network which are still in good working order for over 45yrs old.

[@janath9118]

D 1 I agree with you. And I miss them too!

[@janath9118]

@@TheDarrenSR I noted about your Sansui stereos. That was one major Japanese company which made high quality, durable and also most beautiful stereo equipment back in the 70's, 80's and upto 90's until sadly they closed down. The speakers you mentioned is a testimony to it. Yes, it's a pity that your father sold the amplifier. Anyway good memories for you! I don't have Sansui and I wish I had. But I have some Pioneer stereo components. Sorry about the late comment.

[@johnruffner8637]

I've have a RT-707 (7" reels)scince 1979. I originally purchased it with money I saved from doing lawns and odd jobs. I used it to record all the garage bands in the neighborhood when I was a teenager. I wish I had purchased the rack system at that time to go along with the deck at the time but the reel to reel was $679. That was a lot of money for that time, but it still works an I still listen to things recorded 40 years ago with it.today.

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thanks for sharing the story. You like me and so many others back then were young and for the most part poor. I worked at Pizza Hut as a teen. I had a stereo system but no way I could afford a Pioneer rack like this one.

[@dougg1075]

Wow! Best looking 80s stuff I’ve ever seen.

[@vintageaudioaddict]

She is a looker. Big thumbs up to Pioneer!

[@tobymummert3035]

When I was a kid about 15 years old I was just starting to get into audio equipment. I had graduated from the portable record player and started to buy little separates or my dad got me my first a Technics receiver that pumped out a whopping 15 watts per Channel and a pair of Technics speakers and a Hitachi turntable with a nice little Audio-Technica AT-19E cartridge and a very small Technics cassette deck. This was in 1979. I was turning 15 in 1979 and with that system I just described I thought I had the World by the balls! But there was this one thing that was located in a local store called Best Brothers that was THE DREAM. It was the Pioneer Rack. This thing was a monster! This actually had they're top of the line turntable mounted on a shelf that extended out from the rest of the equipment. It was taller than the Rack in this video. It was wider than the Rack in this video. The equipment was spread out farther apart from each other. Even though I thought at the time I had this awesome stereo, I had to see the rack at least once a month and I did nothing but stare at the Pioneer Rack in awe. When I would go to the store and I would look at this rack one of the sales people would kill me because they would play something on the rack. It would be a reel to reel or a cassette or something on the radio or the best format ever to listen to music on and always will be, the turntable. I shivered! I dreamed!........

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thank you for sharing your story. You sound a lot like me. I worked at Pizza Hut as a teenager and I didn't have a lot of money but I had enough for a stereo system. No way that I could afford a Pioneer rack system. I'd look at the equipment in my local stereo shops often and actually bring something home now and then. Thanks again.

[@thermionic1234567]

Toby Mummert Did pretty much the same as you and we are both exactly-the-same age as well.

[@tobymummert3035]

@@thermionic1234567 It's that virgin audio component stereo system community that started up in the late 70s! Another thing was that my mother had a friend she worked with and her husband built his own Pioneer rack! He actually went out and bought each piece and put it all together and my mom took me to their house. Needless to say once I sent down I couldn't move. Oh how great those times were and where has the time gone?? This was around 1977 and I was so impressed with that rack he built and he was so happy about it he gave me his previous turntable, get this, it was a Garrard turntable! Equipped with a fully functional ceramic cartridge! Talk about a step up!

[@thermionic1234567]

Toby Mummert My mother gave me a stereo system for Christmas one year. It was a really great gift and I was smitten. And since then, it has been piece meal upgraded. I don’t have any of the original components, but the stuff I have now goes all the way back as everything I now own was connected to everything I ever owned. For example, I had a receiver I replaced with an integrated amp. Then I replaced that with a preamp and amp (which my mother has). That was then replaced with a tube integrated amp which I sold and replaced with a tube amp and preamp. Then those components were sold and replaced a number of times...

[@tobymummert3035]

@@thermionic1234567 Do you ever find yourself satisfied with any of your equipment as a whole? LOL!....

[@btu45nh]

I bought my system in 1979 and still have it today,Nikko,Marantz, JBL,still has the best sound, when they built a system to last,one of my best investments.

[@vintageaudioaddict]

You said it, built to last. Just such amazing equipment. I've got some on my equipment still from my teen years in the 70's. Congrats on having your system for 41 years! So Cool!

[@slyfoxx2973]

Whoa...first the 1980 and now the rack. Aww you're killin' me! It's like 1982 all over again. When audio gear was still sexy

[@vintageaudioaddict]

I know, the old audio equipment brings back good memories.

[@tomkoetting5954]

Had a CTF-950 back in the day (before a fleet of Nakamichi's and eventually a Beocord 9000). Those meters - so cool at the time. Great video!

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thank you!

[@brentb5303]

Fantastic! Very unique with the silver face but the more "contemporary" fluorescent display. Gorgeous equipment. Has a good home.

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thank you very much for your kind words.

[@yumpinyiminy963]

Most Pioneer equipment were good sounding devices at an economical price. This rack unit has to be the highest end bunch of modules I think I ever saw. Very modern design for the time.

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Yes, there was a lot of good pioneer gear back in the day.

[@maxpower78-15]

Monster of a system. Back when a system meant something

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Yes, The vintage gear was built so well. That's why so much of it survives today.

[@markleuck]

back in the day I wanted Pioneer equipment with those blue fluorescent displays but couldn't afford em. Best looking Hi Fi equipment in it's day and the longer you had it on the better it sounded

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Same here. I saw this equipment back in the day but my Pizza Hut wages as a teenager didn't allow me to purchase it.

[@lazycalm41]

This is by far the finest rack of equipment I have yet seen on your channel and indeed anywhere! it is simply a work of art. Pioneer were masters at gear like this and the combination of the Open reel tape deck , that glorious 950 cassette deck and that beast of an amp id desirable beyond words! The 70's , the golden age of Hi Fi!

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thanks, It is beautiful to look at and sounds great too.

[@janath9118]

Yes, I agree with your view.

[@Rendraco79]

Excellent video. what else have to say? nah, just that i love old pioneer. Sr. thanks for such an excellent job and sharing with us. greetings!

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Your welcome and thank you for your kind words. Pioneer made wonderful audio equipment back in the day, year after year their brochures were filled with that years equipment. Amazing stuff! Thank you again.

[@QuantumAlchemyst]

I was in love about this equipment. It was my dream team then. Only ctf1250 was over ctf950. Later I own an 8500sa2 and experience what clear and warm was his sound. Nice job man! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thank you, it was/is great audio equipment.

[@stephendeluca4479]

I've found that the rubber belts and tires and pinch rollers on Japanese-made reel-to-reel tape recorders from this ere almost never need replacing. Cassette deck belts are another matter.

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thanks for commenting.

[@patrickcoughlin-qj9uk]

I have seen many of the rubber Belts turn to black goo . It's a sticky mess !

[@truck9moon100]

Absolutely incredible. You are a saint for bringing these back from the dead, along with your other systems. Thank-You very much.

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Your welcome. I enjoy collecting and repairing the equipment. Thank you for commenting.

[@namon2345]

Finally,I found a real Vintage Audio channel and subscribe already. Love this 1970's PIONEER Silver rack component and dream SX 1980. PIONEER is best audio brand ever until 2000's that stop develop a legendary.

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thank you and welcome! Pioneer built a lot of great gear.

[@denniseldridge2936]

I swear these Pioneer rack systems are literally the *sexiest* audio gear ever made. I've lusted after these since first seeing them as a young teenager. Forget the girlie mags, I was besotted by the audio magazines of the day, and that's continued ever since. Great video, VAA!

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thank you! I'm telling ya, I agree. Pioneer did an amazing engineering job with these.

[@ENOCHSZUNXXXL]

Yeah I lost my Virginity to a Teac reel to reel in 86.

[@hotjazzbaby]

So at last you can see sexy gear stripped...😊

[@brunster64]

Agree

[@jorgefeliciano9174]

My Dad and I when I was a teen back then LOVE these Pioneer Units. Just seeing these units bring me memories going to the retail audio stores and looking to get the one of these units for the right priced. We ended up getting the amp and cassette deck. The reel to real so little pricey for us however the sound quality on the amp was AWESOME!

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Great story! Thanks for sharing. Yes, for many of us the days of when this equipment was new brings back good memories like for you being with your Dad equipment shopping. Then bringing a new amp and cassette deck home together, cool stuff.

[@robertdavis5714]

You brought back a memory I completely forgot, cleaning the tape head.

[@gsmd770]

I love the old Pioneer look,but I'm glad they started making components in black! I always hated that silver color! Cool equipment!

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thank you!

[@erickort1987]

i had 2 old school buddies that had vintage stereo rack systems with reel to reel players,used them at parties..hours n hours of music,but there systems wernt all from one brand multi components from different brands ..and they rocked,one buddy had carver mono block power amps

[@timschutte6924]

You ever hear the story about a teenage boy who had this type of equipment back in the 70s before the blue equipment came out. Well, that's me. I totally regret getting rid of my Sansui speakers, Pioneer amp, preamp, tape deck, reel to reel, and the equalizer. But I think the equalizer was from the 80s because it had the blue fluorescent display. I think it was an ADC. I even had a pair of Altec Lansing floor speakers. I also had a pair of JBL 100s. I miss those days. Good cheap weed. You could actually camp on the beach at night back then. That was cool. Do some shark fishing at 3 am.

[@clobbyhops]

I'm glad your on KZbin Sir, thank you

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thank You!

[@nshifferd]

This looks great, well done!

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thanks a lot!

[@colleton60]

My dad bought a setup from this Pioneer line in 1978 (IIRC) when we were stationed in Germany, and I always thought they were absolutely beautiful pieces of equipment. He kept them until the mid-90's when he and mom moved to Florida. He literally put them out on the street, still in the original packaging. I was on leave, helping them move, but was stationed in Japan at the time and had no way of taking them myself. I begged him to keep them until I was stateside again, but he wouldn't do it. I'll never forget that.

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Man....I'm so sorry. It's one of those things in life. There was nothing you could do at the time. Thanks to both you and your Dad for your service.

[@2574mcu]

I have a RT 909 and a sa 8800. I want to get a cassette deck to match. I would love to find a pioneer rack. I wanted the RT 909 when it first came out. I purchased one in near mint condition from the original owner. He was leaving the state and could not take it with him. I picked it up with a bunch of 10 1/2 inch tapes for 350 dollars. I also picked up a rt 707. I love them and they sound great. Also he gave me the original receipts and the receipts for the mantaince that was done, belt and lubrication etc.

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Very nice equipment that you have! There was so much high quality stereo gear back then. You could walk into any stereo shop and there was quality gear from end to end.

[@theebayhififanatic6002]

That’s a lovely looking system!

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thank You!

[@fredrikbarthel4803]

Check the bias, the magna wide amp's have a two stage adjustment and service manuals was hard to find so many are wrong. My 7800 had this issue. Great Video's!

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thank You!

[@AsianFlew]

I loved Pioneer back in the day, and your system illustrates exactly why. Beautiful equipment. It seems that when they changed their logo to that abomination they use now is when their stuff started to decline.

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thank you for commenting. It was beautiful gear. Now a days to get quality audio equipment that is built this well you have to look at the ultra high end.

[@CoolDudeClem]

I'm getting envious!

[@vintageaudioaddict]

LOL. If stereo equipment can be good looking this is the gear.

[@davidt8438]

Gives me great respect for the Japanese people who originally designed and built these tape recorders. WOW they must have pulled their hair out doing this.

[@vintageaudioaddict]

They engineered and built some great audio gear back in the day.

[@mark5368]

This is art. I’m jealous this isn’t in my media room.

[@robertbelknap]

Im 58 now, but back in the 70's we lived in El Monte Ca, back then there was a place called Best Products in West Covina, kinda like best buy, they had a small high end room that had this exact system, but it sat on a white, and black formica console table about 3 1/2 ft of the ground, it was kinda built in. the rack system here was at the back, and in the center of the table sat the turntable. It was definitely impressive, and expensive.

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thanks a lot for sharing. Many of us have fond memories that involve what is now vintage audio equipment.

[@RAM-BAWN]

I had a similar system, until it was stolen. Bummer, but I still have the RT-707 tape deck.

[@vintageaudioaddict]

I'm sorry to hear that. The RT-707 is a fine reel to reel.

[@packratswhatif.3990]

What a Gold-Mine you have there. At time when beauty AND functionality was in. A time of Pride of ownership...... if you had the money

[@vintageaudioaddict]

You are so correct. Beauty, function, and pride. You said it all with those three words.

[@deankq4adj125]

Awesome video, seeing the reel-to-reel brings back a lot of memories. Thanks for sharing and showing us your strategy for restoring these devices.

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Your welcome and thank you for your kind words. It the same for me. I think, damn where did the last 40 or so years go, LOL. Thanks again..

[@btu45nh]

Back in the day I use to see these at Radio Shack and Lechmere.

[@daniellaubach7544]

It"s a rotten shame that Radio Shack went belly up. Bought a nice store bramd Realistic stereo sound system from them. In 1983.

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Yes, the times have really changed when it comes to electronics.

[@jetknight7562]

You just got to love pioneer engineering this system is so awesome .... I've seen one like this asking $9000 but what's it's condition may be taking a chance ? for someone to purchase one ...

[@vintageaudioaddict]

The old audio gear is beautiful stuff but $9000 for this system seems pretty high. Thanks for watching.

[@hi-fihaven2257]

Awesome system, thank you very much for posting it!

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thank you very much. I think Pioneer sure nailed the "look" of their fluroscan rack systems. I'm an old guy who likes old stuff I guess but the blue displays on the silver is hard not to like.

[@wolneycampanha8555]

1 dos equipamentos mais bonitos que vi até hoje!!! Conservação fenomenal e sobre a qualidade, não tenho que falar nada porque é 1 PIONEER!!! Great vídeo, THANKS My FRIEND. Ganhou + 1 inscrito. 1 HUG.

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thank You!

[@TheEDNC]

JVC built similar units back then as well ... in fact I still own one... billet aluminum .... solid stuff!

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Your correct, JVC made some really nice audio equipment back in the day.

[@Doiche]

Love silver finishing ! I have a 90 Pioneer vsa 530 , and You ser totally right, engenerig Quality is totaly different from those units

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thanks for sharing!

[@AudioElectronicsChicago]

Gorgeous 👍🏻

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thank You! Walk into a room with some Pioneer fluoroscan rack equipment glowing and you will move straight to it. You can't help it.

[@tonybalm1513]

You have some extremely nice audio equipment. You work very hard to keep it in such good condition. I have had a SA510 & SA7800 both very nice sounding amplifier's and of course those lovely fluorescent meter's.

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thank you very much. Your Pioneer's are great pieces of equipment. So much good stuff back in the day. Yes, it is hard work but I enjoy it. So the hard work is pleasurable.......most of the time. LOL

[@jonsingle1614]

I remember those....wanted that tape deck....but ended up getting a CTF 500....and I was so on the fence about getting a reel to reel....but never got one as digtial was on the way then

[@vintageaudioaddict]

These Pioneer racks were so eye catching. The problem was once you filled up a Pioneer rack you had to put out some serious coin. Back then I didn't have the funds to purchase something like this.

[@djob3507]

Beautiful

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thank You!

[@jean-marcschmitt413]

I love Pionner, you make us dreaming.

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Hard to call audio equipment sexy but this Pioneer rack is close.

[@skymaster9484]

This is the exact same system that was displayed and you could buy in the military exchange in "81". I bought the RT-909 and if I remember a big pioneer SA amp can't remember the # but it was the biggest at the time. The pioneer reverb or echo chamber and a couple other pioneer pieces the only thing that wasn't pioneer was my Kenwood Equalizer black with built-in reverb just because it looked cool and huge Harmon Karman speakers. Bought everything new just before I left Getmany in late "82" shipped home for free courtesy US Army. I don't think I had $2000 in the whole system when I got back to the states I went to a huge stero outlet in Sacramento CA to check prices, they hadn't even herd of my amp but they did have a smaller one in the SA series and went for a $1000 or over, I think all in all I figured if I could find everything in that system in the US would have been well over $5000 I think.

[@osirisoo239]

Thank you. Great video.

[@life5161]

Absolutely Amazing

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thank you very much.

[@carsondoran6994]

I’ve always loved this equipment and one day I’ll get them

[@vintageaudioaddict]

It is beautiful stuff and the vintage audio equipment can sound really good when operating properly.

[@michaelboone5660]

I honestly do not think Humanity will see such beautiful audio equipment. Ever again But I hope I am wrong.

[@dsonyay]

Hi Chris, would you be interested in restoring a Dynaco set? PAT-5 and Stereo 150 Amplifier. Both work. My cousin's father-in-law built the set many many years ago. We discovered the gear in a closet in his house when he was moved to a home for Alzheimer's patients. We'd love to get this set looked at so it can be setup and kept in play to honor him. We hooked up speakers and then connected an iPod to the Aux inputs. Sounds great. Only thing visually wrong is the power switch on the PreAmp is kind of sticky when moving on and off, and the red power light flickers. There seems to be nothing wrong with the amp.. not sure if a light is supposed to come on.. but we see none. We have both owner's manuals as well. Can they be mailed to you for inspection, cleaning, and updating (capacitors, etc)? Thanks, David

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Hi David, Thank you so much for sharing your story. I enjoy the personal stories behind the vintage audio equipment. When I purchase vintage audio equipment I find out everything I can about that individual piece of equipment and I write it down and then I have a permanent record of it. Thank you for having convenience in me to look at your equipment but I'm just a hobbyist that collects and works on his own personal equipment. It's not my profession. Google "vintage stereo repair" or "vintage audio repair" and see if someone comes up in your local area. It's tough to find service people for the vintage equipment but there are still some around.

[@FrightfulAccountant]

Sansui had the better looking recievers, Pioneer the better looking racks of seperates. The blue line is and remains the best looking I have ever seen. It is also hifi that is not aimed at audiophiles, but at people that are in it for the looks. It evokes an era of Wall Street hot shots with Porsches and Armani suits, that listened to Duran Duran or Roxy Music with a glass of Martini, just before they went of to the club.

[@vintageaudioaddict]

There was a lot of great looking and sounding gear back in the day. I guess the young people today look for their iPhone and earbuds before heading out.

[@FrightfulAccountant]

@@vintageaudioaddict you can have my iPhone, I take this Pioneer rack anytime! XD

[@willscherrer2642]

Thanks for this. I have an older RT-1050 half track that was once a workhorse. Take-up is lifeless; also a TEAC A3440 with same problem. Pretty sure I can fix them. -- (I'd kill for that F950. The external bias adjust sends me into ecstasies..!) Checked out the variac on Amazon; seems a great value at $100.

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Your welcome and thank you for commenting. I have a RT-1011L, The old reel to reels are tanks and I'm sure that you can get them going again. A variac is a really good idea if you work on older electronics and as you found out they are not terribly expensive.

[@patrickcoughlin-qj9uk]

Watch out for the older brown open reel tape . It eats heads I have had good luck with maxel ud & udxl tape .

[@dougg1075]

Gorgeous

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thank you!

We have to pay outrageous money today on "HI End" stuff to mach the average Japanese late seventies and early eighties top of the line quality, ( early nineties for Japan domestic market). Sansui, Pioneer, Kenwood, Jvc, Technics, Nakamichi, Nikko, Akai, Toshiba, Mitsubishi, even Hitachi and AIWA made amazing gear. I still have a complete AIWA minicompo all separate pre, tuner, cassette, remote unit, and power... with toroidal transformer and 15k mF caps for a mini compo! works like day one.

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Your correct, back in the day you didn't need to buy the most expensive product in a manufacturers product line. All of the models were engineered and built well. Your AIWA is a great example.

[@patrickcoughlin-qj9uk]

I really dig the old pioneer floroscan systems . I have the Sx d 5000 reciver , ct f 900 deck . Rg 2 processor . Sg 9800 eq . Dt 400 timer . Had The police called a few times For playing to loud . Lmao

[@roybixby6135]

Wonderful system I always loved that system. I could only afford the 1250 cassette deck before they weren't sold anymore. The reel2reel units i've seen since were in poor condition...

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thank you! Like you, I was young and didn't have the money for a rack system like this one. Most of the tape decks out there today are in rough shape. Most can be brought back to life but it takes some work.

[@scottdunn8550]

I had 3 of the 4 back in the day plus the equalizer and reverb amp... made quite a stack of equipment and lights... didn't know about the tuner... darn

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thanks for sharing. The combo's you could put together were almost endless.

[@bluesmanreturns]

very info thanks Hey how to i calibrate my heads i goofed and adjusted the front screws thanks

[@thorerik678]

With all that work on the tape decks it would have been nice to see the results from your test set unit. Don't actually have to show the test, just the results. What a testament to see how close it kept to the specs after all these years.

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thanks for commenting and for the suggestions. That helps me make better video's going forward.

[@michaelsmullen9891]

I have the same Amplifier and Cassette Deck. I also have the TX-9800 Tuner. I think I have some dry joints in the Tuner and my Cassette deck which I haven't used.since I moved 7 years ago, now needs taken apart and the belts done. Enjoyed your video!

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thank you for watching. I hope it brought back some good memories. The Pioneer fluoroscan equipment was/is beautiful stuff.

[@yamahonkawazuki]

i subbed definately. still have a reel to reel machine ( teac a2300)love this older stuff. yeah its HEAVY but to me, weight is a sign of quality

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thank You! Your Teac A-2300 is a nice reel to reel. Yes, if you move vintage audio equipment around much you will not have to go to gym, LOL.

[@GrowlyBear917]

This rack-mounted system looks like the system that was on display at a local department store in 1976. I wanted to submit an audition tape to a radio station to try and get a job as a part-time DJ. I only had cassette decks at home, but the station required the submission on reel. Solution: Take the demo cassette and a blank reel of tape to the department store, and make a copy. Store security personnel were watching and they took me aside when I removed the tapes from the machines. I explained what I was doing, and once the security guy knew I was not stealing tapes, he said, "I hope you get the job". I actually did get the job, and started working in commercial radio on January 2, 1977. Now when I'm at the radio station and a newbie starts working there, I tell them this story. They usually ask me, "What's a reel-to-reel tape machine??"

[@yumpinyiminy963]

? Are capacitor replacement need for this age of audio equipment. I have an ASEE and design PC board for 30+ years. Except for the very large electrolytic caps with vents. Are the other dip polarized or not worth re-capping?

[@vintageaudioaddict]

I suggest that you google "electrolytic capacitor life expediency" if you do you will see that the manufacturers of electrolytic capacitors say that after 15-20 years they should be replaced. That's not my option but the manufacturers data sheets indicating that.

[@yumpinyiminy963]

When you say not your opinion are you saying you disagree? I just took my old 1980 philips 312 turntable into a local shop. Small, I think 1 man operation that had good reviews. My turntable looked to be fully working after sitting 15 years and light lifetime use. I wanted a tune up (lube, new belt and calibration test) to see how well it stood up. It looked to run fine but I did not connect it to my system because I didn't want to push it if the belt was about to go. You know the mess they can leave. I asked him if it should be recapped. He said it would not be need because the possibility that the low power circuitry should not be an issue. It does have good parts in it. But the power supply is also in the unit. He was reluctant to do it because of ordering parts and labor. I was unimpressed him over all. The RCA output jacks where a bit oxidized and I asked him to put a higher end output cord on it. He kind of freaked because he said the wires at the tone arm are so thin and he was not confident in doing it. I know labor vs cost of equipment is an issue but that's his business. Hard to get good help nowadays.

[@jjcale2288]

@@yumpinyiminy963 your concern regarding electrolytic capacitors is not so justified in analog equipment and low current liniar power supplies. SMPSs and digital stuff is where you need to worry about the elcos.

[@yumpinyiminy963]

@@jjcale2288 I am still doing research being out of the direct design and repair for 15+ years. Yes my turntable without a preamp is low power on the audio out. However - the power supply is in the unit. Thus a transformer, bridge rectifier and decoupling caps on both sides of the bridge for the AC in noise and DC out. The DC power to the cartridge is low but it does have a DC Servo motor driving the platter. I don't have voltage or current draw specs for it. I get what you say about the SMPS but the digital? The digital of what? Most digital is low voltage and power. Where as an audio receiver/amp of this age can have some deadly voltage and current inside. Every channel I watch on this old audio equipment would differ with your opinion. Even "Vintage Audio Addict" replied that the mfg's specs give those vented electros 15 to 20 years max. I guess I would like to see the digital type circuits you are talking about to understand better.

[@jjcale2288]

@@yumpinyiminy963 my point is in digital circuits the electrolytic caps have a hard life due mostly to high frequencies and currents. Low esr and high temperature range are mandatory. In 70's and 80's when these hifi blocks were made nowbody cared too much about esr and temperature range partly because it's not critical in analog and partly because the elcos in that era were not made in China 😉

[@kbtube8125]

the 80's SAE stuff was pretty nice too. I still have my rt-909 machine. I wish you would have said the difference between the 901 and the 909. I never heard of the rt-901

[@vintageaudioaddict]

The is the RT-901 does not have auto reverse. It only plays in one direction.

[@kbtube8125]

got it. thanks for the reply.

[@mlcs6168]

Đúng là một siêu phẩm 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@tcrutch65]

Awesome

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thank You!

[@ammarasyraf6519]

Pioneer is the best

[@evgenyleznik2559]

Hi, I have “all” components to build “Blue line” rack . Rt-909,CT-F1250,TX-7800,CT-F950,RG-2,DT-500,SR-303,SG-9800and SA-8800 . How to connect them in ONE system? Please help ,where I can found Schematics for wiring . Thank you very much! Best regards!

[@MzuMzu-nx1em]

This is real killer technology 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂 . Pioneer is awesome anyway

[@vintageaudioaddict]

It has beauty and sounds great.

[@TechGorilla1987]

I have a Pioneer CT-F770 in my home. Would you like it?

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thank you for the offer but the CT-F770 is a little newer then most of the equipment I collect.

[@TechGorilla1987]

@@vintageaudioaddict I've tossed around the idea of just carefully parting it out on eBay.

[@vintageaudioaddict]

@@TechGorilla1987 Yes, you can sell your equipment on eBay. If you don't mind the shipping side of it. I've never had an issue with anything but some folks have.

[@chrishigginstattoo]

Hi, awesome build,system of dreams ! Ive recently bought some blue line pioneer , my parents had a full stack late 70’s early 80’s, the envy of all my friends and their parents ! The ctf600 tape deck needed new belts , i managed to change them , but the output from the deck is super quiet, it sounds good , but the amp has to be up full ! Any ideas on what it could be ? Thanks Chris

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thanks. Are sure it's the deck? Could you have the input and output RCA cables reversed from the deck to the Pre-Amp? That would cause the issue you are describing. That may not be it but check the simple things first.

[@thermionic1234567]

The one issue I have with this rack system is amplifier placement. Seems it could get really hot as there appears to be no ventilation for it.

[@vintageaudioaddict]

The rack is all open on the side's and in the back. Along with that the components all sit on individual shelf's. Everything looks tight but its not.

[@coreyfellows9420]

KZbin gold!! Just subed!!

[@wesleyjustice3686]

Was the reel to reel player recorder auto reverse ?

[@vintageaudioaddict]

No, this is the RT-901. The RT-909 is auto reverse.

[@ndodhy]

Great ! ⚘👍

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thank you!

[@ottodydaktyk]

Sweet!

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thanks!

[@signal12hvac]

sweet

[@rusted8track314]

I have the CT-F950 also. I changed the belts and rebuilt the motor and unit does work but the fluoroscope meter is spotty for the right channel. Sometimes it works, other times it doesn’t. If I press the Dolby the right Chanel Light goes out and only the left works. I still get the right channel sound through the speaker. Any thoughts on the right channel light?

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Anything intermittent like that is most of the time a switch or pot that is in need of some deoxit cleaning/re-cleaning or maybe but not so likely a control cable needs to be re-seated. You said that you changed the belts but it's not clear to me from what you wrote if you had this display issue before you changed the belts. Intermittent issues like this can fool you easily and take you around and around. I would clean all of the controls well first and eliminate that. Deoxit the controls, then exercise the controls 30 or 40 times. Also make sure all the connectors are seated well. It's possible a bad solder joint on the display board could be causing an issue but you say it's when you push the dolby switch that the issue happens so that's probably not it.

[@bizman45390]

Where can I get I purchase one of these racks?

[@wakjob961]

Are there a lot of logic circuits in there?

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Technology was changing and yes there were what I would call "logic circuits" in this equipment.

[@dougg1075]

Do you get these in the wild or do you peruse eBay and Craigslist also?

[@vintageaudioaddict]

This Pioneer rack I got off of Craigslist about 6 years ago. I don't do eBay much anymore unless I really want something as the prices have really moved up over the years. Some from flea markets and garage sales. It's just harder to find deals now a days.

[@KennethBlixt]

I'm in love

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Me Too!

[@dmc2554]

Where the hell did you get a new idler??

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Do a google search for your unit. They are out there.

[@josanteb]

What about the TX-D1000? Overlooked!!!

[@vintageaudioaddict]

LOL, I know. She only made a cameo appearance. I'm going to re-visit this rack system down the road and the TX-D1000 will have a prominent role.

[@julianosante7134]

@@vintageaudioaddict AWESOME!! My current system at home is Pioneer Silver Line with Blue fluoroscan meters. TX-D1000 tuner (that's why I jumped), SA-8800 amp, SG-9800 equalizer, PLL-255 turntable, PD-S06 CD player (brought over from Germany (ebay) & running with a 110-to-220V adapter) and a CT-F850 cassette player. Bought the amp & the tape player new in '79 & '80 with what, at that time, were my life savings. The turntable off a pawnshop when I was in the Army in 84. Everything else later on on ebay (a dangerous place for the wallet). Thinking of swapping out the 850 tape player for a CT-F950 even though I don't listen to tapes anymore (but the mechanical counter on the 850 always bothered me; it seemed out of place). THANKS YOU for these great videos. They're a lot of fun to watch!!! Even with other brands

[@TheIramzi]

Sounds like you enjoy playing with knobs , nailed it right ???

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Man. how did you guess. LOL

[@dirceunlopes7096]

Lindo demais!

[@johnneedy3164]

Work on my 1010 ✌

[@HaiTran-eb3ce]

Is these for sale. Whole system I mean. Thank you

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thanks for asking but no it's my personal equipment.

[@roamershaker]

fun

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Yes Sir

[@ГруппаАчинскихТунеядцев]

уважаю ваш выбор

[@diabolicalartificer]

"All stereo components were analogue devices up to the 1980's. Starting in the early 1980's EVERYTHING became digital "? bit of a sweeping generalisation there. Nice system anyroad, lucky bloke.

[@vintageaudioaddict]

Thanks for watching