Pioneer CT-F 1250

 Pioneer's new generation "miracle" deck …. Engineered to handle the new generation of "miracle" tapes.

Oxided tapes, including chrome, can't handle the highs, can't hold the dynamic range,can't hand back the density of sound you try to record. Metal tapes offer far better response, even at high input levels. The amount (level) of signal you can feed to a metal tape before it saturates and causes distortion is from three to four decibels higher in the mids and lows than for the best oxided-particle tape on the market today. And the Maximum Output Level is, in most cases, an extraordinary 10 dB higher.

 So naturally, when the new "miracle" tapes were announced, we created the CT-F 1250 "miracle" deck to handle them. Metal tapes require special recording and playback heads. We have chosen a particularly effective ferrite-based material called Uni-X Tal - featuring much higher electrical and antiwear characteristics than ordinary ferrite and even Sendust types. With its special core design and precision gap, the REC head is able to offer the high magnetic flux density required by metal tape without saturating and heating up; these advantages also improve recording linearity in ordinary tapes.

 CT-F 1250 Quartz Direct-Drive Stereo Cassette Deck

An advanced microprocessor-controlled 2-motor, 3-head system equipped with Pioneer's exclusive metal erase head. Digital memory for auto-play, stop and rewind at any point on the tape.  LED assisted tape calibration for fine setting of bias, equalization and recording level to ensure recording of same level as original and for all tapes, including those now of the experimental stage. Features auto-tape slack canceller, 24-segment fluorescent level meter switchable for average, peak and peak hold display, electronic 4-digit counter, which can be read from a distance, ±5% pitch control.

As with disc, precise reading of signals stored on magnetic tape requires near absolute regularity of rotation. Pionner's tape transport motors are servo-controlled via Hall elements, so that any deviation from 4,75 cm per second is immediately detected and corrected. In the CT-F 1250, the timing pulse, or reference signal, is provided by a quartz crystal oscillator, as in Pioneer's most advanced direct-drive turntables. Accuracy is also enhanced by Pioneer's exclusive tape Slack Canceller which tenses the tape before play.

 Another Pioneer achievement is accurate tape movement. This is vital when you are pushing for perfection in cassettes. In our precision Quartz-PLL Closed-Loop Dual Capstan drive system one of the DC motors is used exclusively to move the tape past the Erese, Rec and Play heads during recording and playback. The drive capstan and the tension capstan are looped so they rotate at axactly the same speed. Thus, the tape is held in perfect contact with the heads at all times and with the proper degree of tension to avoid slack, snarls and stretching.

Recorded/played signals retain the same pitch and level from one end of your tape to the other. The result is wow and flutter of no more than 0,03% (WRMS). Barely measurable in the laboratory. Unhearable in your listening room.

And with other Pioneer features such as our Fluroscan™ meter, digital-brain Microprocessor and eqLB Tuning System, the fabulous CT-F 1250 will set the pace in the audio industry for years to come. Thereby ensuring the enjoyment value of your audio investment.

Specifications

Drive System:  2 motor

Heads:

Rec/Playback :  1 x Comb. Uni-crystal ferrite

Erasing :  1 x Small Window

Frequency Response:

Standard Tape :  25 Hz - 16 kHz ±3 dB

Chromium Dioxide Tape :  25 Hz - 17,5 kHz ±3 dB

Ferrichromium Dioxide tape :  25 Hz - 17,5 kHz ±3 dB

Metal Tape :  25 Hz - 18,5 kHz ±3 dB

Signal-to-Noise Ratio:

Dolby Off :  better than 59 dB

Dolby On :  better than 69 dB

Wow and Flutter:

DIN (Weighted) :  ±0,12%

WRMS :  less than 0,03%

Input Sensibility/Max. Input/Impedance

Mic :  0,3 mV/100 mV/30 k Ω

Line :  63 mV/25V/50 k Ω

Output Max. Level/Impedance

Line :  640 mV/ 50 k Ω

Headphones :  90 mV/8 Ω

Power Requirement:  110/120, 220/240 V , 50/60 Hz

Dimensions (W x H x D):  420 x 187 x 369 mm

Weight:  10,9 kg