Vintage Pioneer CT-F1000 Stereo cassette deck Review & Demo

Review & Demo of vintage front loading cassette deck Pioneer CT-F1000 also know as CT-1000 in Japan.
70's super deck and direct competitor to Nakamichi 1000 Mk III. Many professional functions.
Main features 3 head system, 2 pole motor and separate Dolby for recording and playback. The exceptional playback and recording heads are made from a single Ferrite crystal each, instead of the usual grains of Ferrite, and the high quality DC servomotor ensures low levels of wow and flutter.
CT-1000 made 1976 - 1980 cost 123800 ¥
CT-F1000 made 1977 - 1979 cost 600 $
The Pioneer CT-F1000 is the deck with everything, including automatic Cr02 tape detector, multiple bias and equalization settings, pitch control, memory stop, mpx filter, tape slack canceller, oscillator, full auto stop, solenoid operated buttons and more.
Specifications
Type: 3-head, single compact cassette deck
Track System: 4-track, 2-channel stereo
Tape Speed: 4.75 cm/s
Heads: 1 x combination record/playback, 1 x erase
Motor: 1 x reel, 1 x capstan
Tape Type: type I, FeCr, Cr02
Noise Reduction: B, C
Frequency Response: 30Hz to 17kHz (Cr02 tape)
Signal to Noise Ratio: 64dB (dolby B)
Wow and Flutter: 0.05%
Total Harmonic Distortion: 1.3%
Input: 60mV (line), 0.22mV (mic)
Output: 0.68V (line)
Semiconductors: 4 x FET, 97 x transistors, 98 x diodes, 5 x IC
Dimensions: 420 x 187 x 362mm
Weight: 12kg
---------------------------------------­-----
Check out and/or follow me on evil social media or just be creative :)
Web: www.martenelec...
Blog: mniec.wordpres...
Facebook: / martenelectric
Instagram: / martenelectric
Twitter: / martenelectric
KZbin: / martenelectric
Odysee: odysee.com/@ma...
If you want to support my work please consider a donation via:
/ martenelectric - Patreon
ko-fi.com/mart... - Ko-Fi
www.ebay.co.uk... - eBay shop
Video is not sponsored
Out of respect to wide variety of people who watch my videos, I will remove comments that do not follow common standards of politeness and decency.
Thanks for watching!

[@ethan1970]

I own the CT-F1000, I love this deck, It not only sounds great to my ears, it looks sexy wile it's doing it!

[@theswagler5648]

I still have mine, haven't used it in years. I had the SPEC-1, SPEC-4, SG-9500, TX-9500, RG-1, RT-707, CT-F1000, Fisher Studio Standard and SpeakerLab Klipschorns. Started collecting in '84, unfortunately, no longer have all of it. I used the gear to jam with my '71 Les Paul/Marshall amp for 25+ years. Lol, my neighbors dreaded when I got drunk and got to rock and rollin'.

[@ethan1970]

Haha sounds like a hell of a time! You are very lucky to of had the machines that you owned, I've always wanted a Spec-1 & Spec-4 Power Amplifier with a Pioneer RT-707 Reel To Reel but I don't think that dream will ever come true lol

[@athemalive]

I remember having this. It's not actually about a sound, it's about the looks!

[@steadfastcoward]

Of the open loading decks I only lack the CT-F950. One of the reasons this deck didn't continue in the US past 1979 was metal tape, another was the introduction of Fluoroscan meters across the Pioneer lines. It would have been a budget deck after that. And I don't fully agree with your assessment. The CT-F1250 for instance was simply an large improvement and refinement on the format, it sounds DEVINE as well.

[@RT300Z1]

Just picked one of these up (eBay), along with a CT-F9191. Silly Me? CT-F1000 for living room recording, CT-F9191 for bedroom listening. No excuse for not listening to those hundreds of tapes made long ago. Hundreds of hours were spent making some of those old tapes. Thank you Audi Vintage for this Review and Demo.

[@LucyEssex]

Brought one of these new in 1979, gave me 30+ years of excellent service, I was persuaded to upgrade it to a newer model with Dolby S, and have regretted it ever since.

[@martyjewell5683]

This deck was a brute. A girlfriend of mine had this unit back in 1978. Awesome deck (pre dolby-C) very good recording quality. I did get to "play" with it a bit and loved it. I could never afford a cassette deck of this class. My decks were, Akai GX-f31, Onkyo TA-630D, and a Teac (open reel) X-3.

[@douglashoff95]

Was a tech for an authorized Pioneer dealer. I wanted one of these on their employee discount plan but did not have the funds at the time. But the CT-F1250 came when I was better off and I GOT ONE! Still have it!

[@backarelli]

This is a best cassette decks review, I ever seen on YT !!!!! Thankssssss!!!!!!!!

[@SassyLoverBoy]

I love that you have a Pioneer QX-9900!! I have the same receiver! The best piece of equipment I have ever owned.

[@brotherspock8180]

Amazing machine. There's something special about the sound of this pre-IC deck. It sounds almost reel to reel... Imagine, even all of the Dolby circuits are analog and on separate boards. Recapping this machine wouldn't be for the faint of heart. Also you're pretty much on your own restoring the tape transport, as idler tires ect are unobtainium, and you must improvise alternatives... But this deck is definitely worth the extra time and effort.

[@Badassvidsz]

Such a HI-FI actually vintage hi-end . Jewel :-)

[@IVR02]

Damn... I could only dream of owning one of these...

[@kennynvake4hve584]

That last song was intense...thanks...

[@AudioClassic1]

Thank you for great video !

[@canigetanyofyoucuntsadrink8043]

Nice man I have the Ct-f950 the next range later date 1980s I love it with those Florescence VU meters

[@АнатолийТихомиров-б4ь]

У-у-у, уписаться просто! Сенсорное управление,ручки выдвижные(или как там их)!! А звук?!(если,конечно,не фокус) Хоть сейчас себе в стойку с винила писать...

[@MikeLeePhoto]

"Work of Art"...

[@nicholascremato]

I don't know what he is saying. Is it a lower spec that the CTF-1250?

[@shaun9107]

I still use tape today , CDs are a fail but thats me , CDR rubbish

[@egidioleucci1069]

Maravilloso! Desde Italia un grande recuerdo!

[@andrehenery4548]

As always very informative . Keep up your high standard . Thanks

[@mr586308]

Very nicely done video, clear and informative.

[@chris2470104]

Does the play key only works when the cassette tape is insert it? Can someone answer me please.

[@mehdistiti9883]

pleas, what's the music in the end of video ?

[@1959Berre]

Very good camera work.

[@fabiofois3500]

This is Art.

[@ЭдуардВасильченко-х9я]

Аппарат мечта!👍

[@morrisonAV]

Any idea why the Peak light was flashing when the signal was nowhere near 0dB?

[@steadfastcoward]

Momentary transient levels. If the light stays lit longer or lights more often then you may be having issues to address with the inputted signal.

[@syelchin]

wow !!! I like it! absolutely male brutal apparatus! a real tank!

[@69Elvira1]

have two of them, love it

[@stewandamandalatimer9752]

Where did you get that tape. It's awsome

[@FlorinStefan]

very nice.... Pioneer!

[@robelicit]

Excellent review as always, gr8 to see ur knowledge & respect for vintage gear🍸🎯🚀🎧

[@隆之八尾]

俺は、AKAIのGXC760Dでした💞azimuthもcontrol出来て、最高でした🥰

[@choonwahyee9101]

In asia 's are big markets of songs , music , plays

[@belochegman]

Красавица. Впечатляет.

[@rev.waynet.oleary7387]

Just incredible

[@Luckynick50]

What's the cassette in the beginning ? Where did you get it ?

[@juancarlosmendozacastro9043]

I have one question for you, I hope you can help me, Do you know why these models of devices have a mic entrances L and R????

[@ethan1970]

It’s so you can record via a microphone on either channel or both for stereo if you desire, it’s bog basic, very standard for its time.

[@Sheepmansheep]

What music are you playing? sounds beautiful even through youtube. Amazing deck, thanks for sharing.

[@KegPatcha]

Does it support spotify or apple music?

[@MartenElectric]

?

[@alexandrossotiropoulos5621]

yes! it supports everything.

[@KegPatcha]

MASTER Who are you talking to? I've never said anything about US or american dollars. I am from Mexico and I am also an american because I live in the American continent.

[@MartenElectric]

+MASTER you are full of hatred, maybe you should calm down my friend

[@jm-iv7ir]

Are you kidding?

[@ComputerHistoryArchivesProject]

Excellent video! Love the quality and clarity. Was wondering what type of video cam you use to take your videos?

[@MartenElectric]

Thank you, I'm using very simple equipment :) Mobile phone Google Nexus 5 with tripod from Poundland and cool white LED light. Mike is again mobile phone with recording app, which I overlay as narration in Windows Movie Maker.

[@ComputerHistoryArchivesProject]

Excellent. Thank you! Looks like its done with much higher end equipment!

[@Badassvidsz]

Crazy sexy looking deck :-) 2nd time here :-)

[@jcamp6228]

what a beast. beautiful

[@jcamp6228]

That would be a fun re-cap :)

[@blackwaterdogs4256]

A Classic Beauty !

[@MadScientist267]

Thing is a tank! Gotta wonder why the transformer is so big tho haha... Usually only see that size in a power amp... Heaviest load this thing has in it is the 2 motors and a couple solenoids...? Either way nice unit.

[@motofingo]

learning from germany engineering

[@fordfreak9456]

meters so much better then fluroscan

[@janeiroyoshi]

Between Nakamichi 600 II, Pioneer CT-F1000 and Revox B710 wich one would you suggest? thank you!

[@donk1822]

Akai GX95/2

[@shaman6339]

SUPER COOL

[@jetsontheair]

are cassette tape decks still available, I mean from someone or a firm that restore them?

[@khaddow1967]

I presume you've already had an answer in the last 8 months, but if not the answer is yes. Your best bet is Ebay. There are a number of vintage 70s/80s and 90s decks up for sale pretty much all the time. There are even a few listings for fully restored 70s decks, where the seller has re-capped the unit, replaced all the belts, lubricated mechanical parts and realigned the heads with test tapes and an oscilloscope. If you want one that has had that level of restoration expect to pay a premium for the work put into it though.

[@Pizzamanrule]

Can you liscen to regular cassette music on this tape deck???

[@MartenElectric]

Sure you can, why not?! :)

[@Pizzamanrule]

Audiophile Vintage because every video I see about cassette deck people always put recording cassette and not album cassette

[@MartenElectric]

@@Pizzamanrule I think it's because the silver spools looks fancy :)

[@Pizzamanrule]

Audiophile Vintage oh ok

[@stargazer1359]

beautiful machine

[@JessHull]

can this record on metal ?

[@tmki.6806]

きれいな個体ですね！

[@IuriGennaro]

Belo Tape Deck.

[@garotimdasilvasauro8773]

Show, mas onde comprar?

[@007Piz]

EXCELENTE DECK FELICIDADES SALUDOS DESDE MÉXICO

[@Sarju9066]

Bagus,,,,, tape deck,,,, pingin punya.

[@teashea1]

so well done -----

[@Leo_Berger]

whats the music?

[@hamiltonfixedrider]

Great video !

[@ImreBaracsi]

IMÁDOM !! + KÉK KORSZAK !!!

[@atraxr603]

It's an awesome machine. But sound isn't all that great. Although that could be due to recording it and putting it on YT that compresses it.

[@osoco7294]

Sound (very likely) comes through speakers and mic, so we don't know how this *deck* sounds. KZbin is not the weakest link here.

[@ОуэМ]

hi) I am from Russia.Have you something (from japan old Audio) for selling ?

[@cemalyildizcan2012]

is it for sale

[@patriayvida4209]

Great video and GREAT PIECE! Love it. Can't stop dreaming of having one! Does anybody know where to buy it? I'm in Florida, USA. PLEASE let me know!

[@craigdavidson2278]

Often come up for sale in france (and 1250) but you will need to have a french speaker to do the arrangement. www.leboncoin.fr/image_son/1843458908.htm

[@denniseldridge2936]

Only one word to describe this: DROOOOOOOLLLL!

[@eduardpelinel9159]

.... BEST ....

[@MrIrrepressible]

It sounds like u are reading directly from a script

[@PlaceNameHeere]

holy shit i want it.

[@ramsesdorado5479]

nice i want one

[@norincobro658]

MINT

[@laurentiupascariu5743]

Bravoooooooooooooooooooooo 70 okkkkk

[@alexandrepoloniato4616]

Caralho que coisa linda

[@murnelbabineaux4743]

HAHA. I have one of these !

[@janickimusic]

No it was not comparable to the Nakamichi 1000. Even if you look at the spec. sheet Pioneer is far behind the Nak.

[@miyasitakazuaki4155]

ダストカバーは、欲しいですね、

[@belochegman]

Опять "старинная"? При динозаврах что-ли выпускали?

[@sonicstep]

The vocals are very choppy. I really can't make sense of what's being said.

[@sonicstep]

T Mart ??

[@tilleytristan]

+sonicstep I just think you might have been mistaking his accent for choppy vocals. Das all.

[@sonicstep]

T Mart I don't recall hearing him 'clucking' his tongue (and no dummy, I don't mistake him for the Zulu dialogues of say Ipi Tombi). Therefore, I believe I actually meant the quality of the recording. I've not just come out of an egg-shell not able to distinguish between such an accent derived from Dutch and those native to elsewhere. That said, I may confuse a specific Australian accent of sorts with that of a New Zealander's. The latter seems to be easier on the ears though. Less drunken sounding. LOL :)

[@Jo281266]

that machine is Sexy !

[@jasonwilke2703]

I have no ne haven't plugged it in yet I didn't want to hurt it since I don't know what I'm doing any body interested in buying it

[@miyasitakazuaki4155]

ｄBメーターは、VUに、変えるべきです、