The Pioneer CT-F9191 was a front-loading stereo cassette deck available by August 1976. Its front-access transport and controls allowed the deck to be installed with other hi-fi components without requiring access from above, while its walnut-veneered top and side panels gave it the appearance of a self-contained domestic audio component.
The Pioneer CT-F9191 used two independent drive motors rather than relying on a single motor for every transport function. An electronically controlled DC motor with an independent generator handled recording and playback, while a separate motor operated fast forward and rewind. By removing the additional load imposed by the fast-wind functions from the record and playback motor, Pioneer specified wow and flutter of between 0.05% and 0.07%.
The tape transport incorporated Pioneer’s Twin Link Stays and Hexagonal Drive Shafts. Transport functions were operated through an electronic solenoid switching system, with separate front-panel controls for rewind, fast forward, stop, play, record and pause. The cassette compartment was positioned on the upper left of the front panel, with the tape and transport mechanism visible through a large window.
Recording and playback levels were displayed by two illuminated analogue VU meters. The Pioneer CT-F9191 also included peak-level indicators and a switchable input limiter intended to control excessive recording input levels. Separate stereo level controls were provided for microphone input, line input and output, allowing the principal recording and playback adjustments to be made directly from the front panel.
The deck included independent equalisation and bias selectors for different tape formulations. The front panel provided standard, chromium dioxide and ferrichrome settings, allowing the recording circuit to be adjusted for the selected cassette type. A Ferrite-Solid record and playback head was used, while three-stage direct-coupled amplifiers were fitted to the equalisation and microphone sections.
Dolby B noise reduction was included, together with an FM multiplex filter for recording FM stereo broadcasts. The Pioneer CT-F9191 also provided a multi-purpose memory rewind facility linked to its mechanical tape counter, allowing a selected tape position to be recalled during operation. Microphone inputs for the left and right channels and a headphone output were mounted on the front panel.
The Pioneer CT-F9191 combined a two-motor transport, electronic solenoid operation, independent tape equalisation and bias selection, Dolby B noise reduction, memory rewind and comprehensive level controls in a front-loading design. Its arrangement reflected Pioneer’s move towards cassette decks that could be stacked or rack-mounted alongside other components while retaining direct access to the cassette and all operating controls.
Features
- Front-loading cassette transport
- Two independent drive motors
- Electronically controlled DC record and playback motor with independent generator
- Separate motor for fast forward and rewind
- Electronic solenoid transport switching
- Twin Link Stays transport construction
- Hexagonal Drive Shafts
- Ferrite-Solid record and playback head
- Three-stage direct-coupled equalisation and microphone amplifiers
- Dolby B noise reduction
- Independent equalisation and bias selection
- Standard, chromium dioxide and ferrichrome tape settings
- Multi-purpose memory rewind
- Dual analogue VU meters
- Peak-level indicators
- Switchable input limiter
- FM multiplex filter
- Separate stereo microphone and line input level controls
- Separate stereo output level control
- Front-panel microphone inputs
- Front-panel headphone output
- Walnut-veneered top and side panels