Test TDK Tape

[Pure_Brew]

Nando,
I used a Marantz CD5004. Even though it's low on the scale of good CD players, I like the sound of it better on it's own than with the Parasound DAC1000, or the on-board DAC in my Denon DAP-2500 preamp. (a 1989 pre designed around DAT recorders). I believe that I ran it direct to the tape deck and at a setting of 3 on the input, i get occasional flashes. A stereophile test cd, using a -20db reference setting, the input levels would be closer to 2.5. If I set the line to 5 I have to use the limiter as it ruins the sound/constant peaking.

I bought the player as a low cost option transport, and chose it for it's extremely quiet operation. So many players, even if the $500 range are whiny in a mechanical sense, and can easily be heard during quite passages in music. I HATE that. This player does a great job in this area.

I believe the deck needs service. Playback sounds awesome. But the recording is too hissy imho and there is a low level hum in the right channel on record.

Consider that I blew a breaker and fried the headphone jack on my iPhone connected to this under test when the broken power switch arc'd. It's amazing this even works!

 

[Elite-ist]

Hi Joe,

That CT-F9191 of yours did take a massive lightning strike, didn't it. Now, that I've viewed your great tutorial a few times on servicing your deck's tape transport, I feel confident I could do some minor servicing on my Pioneer. But, like you, without the proper calibration equipment, that wouldn't be enough.

Did you notice on your CT-F9191, that the strong input signal when you recorded on the TDK Test Tape didn't translate to such a large signal on playback, even with the deck's output knob turned to 8, or better? I don't have that problem with my other Pioneer decks, but with this one I do. I figure it would cost me less than $75 for an internal going over and calibration. And that would be reasonable. I did buy all the replacement parts from Pioneer for this deck that were still available.

http://parts.pioneerelectronics.com/mod ... um=CTF9191

Once, we get both our decks serviced and up to snuff we should trade mix tapes. I have some early jazz on LP and even open reel I could record for you. Do you like Gábor Szabó?


Nando.

 

[Pure_Brew]

On my deck, An approximate 2.5 setting on the input needs 8 on the output to match levels. that does seem strange to me. Fresh tape recording isnt awful, but it doesn't record over well.

I think trading mix tapes would be cool! I've not heard of the artist you mentioned, I'll have to google.

 

[Elite-ist]

On my deck, An approximate 2.5 setting on the input needs 8 on the output to match levels. that does seem strange to me. Fresh tape recording isnt awful, but it doesn't record over well.

I think trading mix tapes would be cool! I've not heard of the artist you mentioned, I'll have to google.

Joe: As far as this particular issue, there was a technical explanation for why this is so (given to me by a technician on an audio forum). And it's not to do with improper biasing of the cassette during recording, but more to do with the circuitry design of this particular model of deck. So, I guess we'll have to live with it. If you take a look at any of the you tube clips of CT-F9191s in action they all seem to have the output knob turned to +7 to get decent output of 0db on tape playback.

Here's the explanation from Pacific Stereo: "In these early decks, Pioneer did the strangest thing, and that was to put the output control IN FRONT OF the VU meters in the signal path during playback. This means there effectively is no reference for playback. Move the control, change everything. It makes alignment unnecessarily complicated and a PITA.

Never understood the logic behind this."

I think I would like to try a full-on recording for a mix tape for you before servicing the Pioneer CT-F9191. I"ll try it an evening this coming week.

Nando.

 

[stuwee]

Another reason why Pioneer sucks

J/K!!

 

[Elite-ist]

Another reason why Pioneer sucks

J/K!!

Stirring it up again, stuwee? How about this:

T Terrific
E Eater (of)
A Analog
C Cassettes

Nando.

 

[Elite-ist]

Sure Nando.If no one wants to try it. Send it back.I'll try to get a box to load customs. That is all I'm going to do.Is make a good tape reasonably priced no frills tape.I will put a j-card and a norelco box.Nothing fancy.

Larry

Larry: I mailed the TDK Test Tape to you today. You should receive it in 7-10 days. Thanks for allowing us to use it!

Nando.

 

[stuwee]

Another reason why Pioneer sucks

J/K!!

Stirring it up again, stuwee? How about this:

T Terrific
E Eater (of)
A Analog
C Cassettes

Nando.

Ya got me! Ouch! Right in the kisser



After the holidays when things settle down for me and after I pay Lee for the Onix and Larry for the Tara IC's it's off to Chi-Town to see Sam and get put right . It's been behaving lately

 

[Elite-ist]

Another reason why Pioneer sucks

J/K!!

Stirring it up again, stuwee? How about this:

T Terrific
E Eater (of)
A Analog
C Cassettes

Nando.

Ya got me! Ouch! Right in the kisser



After the holidays when things settle down for me and after I pay Lee for the Onix and Larry for the Tara IC's it's off to Chi-Town to see Sam and get put right . It's been behaving lately

Just in jest, stuwee. I have a pimped-out Teac in my stable, too. Don't you hate momentary deck misbehavior? It'll be good to have Sam repair it for you. You got plenty of enjoyment from your Teac, so far.

Nando

 

[stuwee]

Nando, that I have, it's a beauty for sure, best sounding deck I've ever heard, btw, I traded some stuff for Dale's A-3340 RtR, I gotta get that tuned up to, first I need to figure out the power cord attachment issue (it doesn't have one ). I have the SM/OM from the radio station it was saved from.

If Sam says it's worth the trouble, I'll get her done too , or member tapepath aka Ken also does nice work

 

[Pure_Brew]

Poor
Innovative
Origins
Need
Endless
Electronic
Repairs

Teehee

 

[stuwee]

Poor
Innovative
Origins
Need
Endless
Electronic
Repairs

Teehee

Joe, ya just warmed the cockels of my black little heart

 

[laatsch55]

Poured Liquid O2 on mine. I have been cryogenically slayed!!

 

[orange]

Poor
Innovative
Origins
Need
Endless
Electronic
Repairs

Teehee

Joe, ya just warmed the cockels of my black little heart

You're playing with the queen of Walmart

and I won't put that in my cart

Cause I know that I have some tools

to make Pioneers sound new...

 

[Elite-ist]

Now, see what you've started, Joe.

Nando.

 

[stuwee]

Now, see what you've started, Joe.

Nando.

GO Joe!!


J/K, I like Pio's, really I do...

 

[Pure_Brew]

Now, see what you've started, Joe.

Nando.

Hey now, I didn't start it! Lol. All in good fun though. I don't know what else stuwee likes but I'm sure I can work something out.

 

[Elite-ist]

[quote="Elite-ist":1wwttq3b]Now, see what you've started, Joe.

Nando.

Hey now, I didn't start it! Lol. All in good fun though. I don't know what else stuwee likes but I'm sure I can work something out. [/quote:1wwttq3b]
Hi Joe,

This is one of the few forums you could get away with an innocent ribbing without calling out the dogs. What else does stuwee like? Men! Have fun with that one.

Nando.

 

[Pure_Brew]

Noisey
Analog
Killed
Any
Market
Invention
Computers
Had
Infested

Mmmmm... Somehow this reads odd tho.

 

[Elite-ist]

Noisey
Analog
Killed
Any
Market
Invention
Computers
Had
Infested

Mmmmm... Somehow this reads odd tho.

I get it. You just bought one, didn't you Joe?

Nando.