Pioneer TX-600 tuner

 A medium-priced stereo AM/FM solid state tuner with advanced circuitry, high sensitivity and outstanding tonal response.

In designing the new TX-600 tuner, the objective of Pioneer engineers was to create an uncompromising unit of excellence that could be offered to the music public at a very reasonable price. The performance specifications of this new Pioneer component go a long way to show how this objective was fulfilled. The TX-600 combines FET, ICs and ceramic filters to offer unusually high sensitivity and image ratio, along with improved selecitvity and capture ratio. The sound that emanates from the unit is finely balanced, solid stereo sound. And although this Pioneer tuner reflects the very finest of engineering and performance through and through, it is priced surprisingly low so that even the stereo fan operating within a limited budget may fit the TX-600 into his group of components.

Advanced Circuitry In FM Front-end

Nothing has been spared to make the TX-600 one of the finest performing tuners in its price range. Circuitry in the FM tuner  section includes an FET to raise sensitivity and imge ratio while safeguarding against cross-modulation. Additionally , the if stage is equipped with IC and ceramic filters which are necessary for improved selectivity and capture ratio. You will find that the TX-600 receives signals with rare sensitivity even in areas where these signals are usually weak. Moreover, since the MPX decoder (the circuit that separates the two channels of FM stereo programs) works on the highly accurate switching system, it provides a very wide frequency response and stability. Then there is also a discriminator amplifier included in the set that assures sharp channel separation at all times. All of these circuitry features are especially vital today in times of increasing numbers of FM stations.

Easy Tuning

FM tuning on the TX-600 is accomplished with ease, thanks to the extra-wide linear type dial scale. Even in metropolitan areas where a large number of FM stations may exist, this Pioneer tuner has the knack of separating station signals, affording you precision tuning with minimum noise and maximum stereo separation. The TX-600 is also eqipped with a large, illuminated dial and dual meters - one a signal strength meter, the other a center zero meter. When you are using AM, the signal strength meter alone is sufficient for precise tuning.

AM Tuner Section

The AM tuner section of the TX-600 is designed for optimum sound quality and reception. It benefits greatly from the ferrite-loopstick antenna, as well as the combination of double tuning and silicon transitors employed throughout for perfect reception.

FM Multipath Terminal for Ideal Reception

The greatest enemy of clear FM stereo sound is FM multipath interference, which most often occurs when the path of the signal is deflected by a mountain or high-rise building. This interference, however, can often be reduced by changing the direction of the antenna in the optimum direction. The TX-600 is equipped with an FM multipath terminal to help you discover the ideal antenna position. To do this requires that you connect the Pioneer Stereo Display. (Model SD-1000) to the FM multipath terminal on the rear panel of the TX-600.

Additional Features

The TX-600 has a number of other important features that add up to maximum sound performance. There are separate AM and FM output level controls, which can be set to compensate for differences in AM and FM signal strengths, so that the master volume control will not require readjustment-when the selector is switched. Also, there is an FM muting switch, that helps to eliminate FM inter-station noise, that irritating "rustling" between stations. Among the useful auxiliary circuits provided with the TX-600 are an extra pair of tape output jacks that permit direct tuner-to-tape recording.

Specifications:

FM Section

Frequency Range:  87,5 to 108 MHz

Usable Sensitivity 2,2 µV IHF

Capture Ratio:  3 dB IHF

Selectivity:  more than 45 dB IHF

Image Rejection:  more than 50 dB (98 MHz)

IF Rejection:  more than 80 dB (90 MHz)

Spurious Rejection:  more than 70 dB (98 MHz)

AM Suppression:  50 dB

Signal-to-Noise Ratio:  70 dB

Total Harmonic Distortion

Mono :  less than 0,6% (100% mod.)

Stereo :  less than 0,8% (100% mod.)

Tuning Indicator:  Signal strength type and center tuning type

Muting:  Switchable to On-Off

Stereo Separation:  more than 40 dB  (1 kHz)

Sub Carrier Suppression:  more than 35 dB

Noise Filter:  Switchable to On-Off

Output Voltage:  Controllable, from 80 mV to 2,4 V

Antenna Input:  300 Ω  (balanced), 75 Ω  (unbalanced)

Multipath Terminals:  Vertical and Horizontal

AM Tuner

Frequency Range:  525 to 1605 kHz

Usable Sensitivity:  15 µV IHF

Selectivity:  more than 22 dB IHF

Image Rejection:  more than 45 dB (1,000 kHz)

IF Rejection:  more than 35 dB

Signal-to-Noise Ratio:  more than 50 dB

Output Voltage:  Controllable from 80 mV to 2,4 V (100% mod.)

Antenna:  Built-in ferrite loopstick antenna

Audio sections

Semiconductors:  1 FET; 2 ICs; 16 Transistors; 19 Diodes

Recording Output/Impedance:  750 mV/3,6 k Ω   (FM 100% mod.)

Level Control:  AM and FM

Power Requirements:  110, 120, 130, 220, 240 V 50/60 Hz

Power Consumption:  25 watts (max.)

Dimensions (W x H x D):  430 x 145 x 345 mm (16-15/16" x 5-11/16" x 13-9/16")

Weight:  7,6 kg (17 lbs)