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My new first deck, a Pioneer CT-S99R

Discussion in 'Cassette Decks' started by Command8, Apr 29, 2017.

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  1. Command8

    Command8 Active Member

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    I finally caved in an bought a deck this afternoon while thrift store hunting, a Pioneer CT-S99R for 25 Euros.
    The machine was "broken" and had a broken rca male plug sticking in the back, all i had to do was replace the fuse.... 25 euros for a dbx, NR b & C, cassette deck.
    IMG_20170430_015713c.jpg IMG_20170430_015720c.jpg IMG_20170430_015740.jpg
    Anyways I opened her up, and took a look around. I was able to clean a couple sections here and there using 90+ alcohol and q-tips, but I can't really take care of the electronics, I don't know how to. What tips/advice can you give to a new owner? Also does anyone have any recommended cheap DAC? it's to connect to my laptop and from my laptop to the deck.
    20170430_001306.jpg 20170430_000229.jpg 20170430_000200.jpg 20170430_000145.jpg
     
    Risingsunproject and Jorge like this.
  2. mraiwa1000

    mraiwa1000 New Member

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    Damn, that thing looks nice! Not too much of a fan of these myself, but insides look to be very good quality.

    What's the manufacture date on the motors?
     
  3. Command8

    Command8 Active Member

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    11 july 1986
     
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  4. Deliverance

    Deliverance Active Member

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    Nice catch cheap to.
     
  5. Jorge

    Jorge Well-Known Member

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    Cheap DAC? Check Schiit Audio ad in the latest (May 2017) Stereophile. Page 60: "Obsolete $2,300 Yggdrasil... and if you want a Non-Obsolete 32bit DAC get $99 Modi-2"
    Brilliant!!! Reminds me of the VW "Drivers Wanted" ad or old Stereophile ads from Head Room, when HeadRoom were making our kind of shit, not just making money! ;-)
     
  6. Command8

    Command8 Active Member

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    Sorry Jorge, I don't read any audiophile magazine, yet. I forgot to ask, for cassette decks, do I really need an amplifier and if so is it cheaper to get a Dac/Amp combo? So far all i've found are headphone amps/dac combos, I don't think i can use those for a cassette deck, if so, I'll probably get a cheap O2+ODAC (revB) from Massdrop.
     
  7. walkman archive

    walkman archive Administrator Staff Member

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  8. Command8

    Command8 Active Member

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    Quick question, I'm trying tor record the 1994 - Vangelis - Blade Runner Soundtrack SACD (DSF) into a Sony chrome class UX 60 tape but so far I think im doing something wrong with the record level. All songs in the album have a high dynamic range, since im making sure that the peaks reach the 0 level following Hugo's old phillips DIN scale diagram but the sounds sounds too dull, if I push the peaks slightly past the 0 level the sound is horrible on playback.
     
  9. walkman archive

    walkman archive Administrator Staff Member

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    Well, that's a quite difficult case. For classical music and soundtrack, where the dynamic range is the highest possible, you'll need to get the best performance of the cassette.
    A good chrome tape, you already have it. A good nice reduction system, like dolby C, S or dbx. And you can push the levels 1 or even 2dB.
     
    Last edited: May 23, 2017
  10. Helaba

    Helaba Active Member

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    WoW....Nice Deck , with dbx , you Should be able to have good recording and playback!!!!
     
  11. Command8

    Command8 Active Member

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    I had used a garbage Fiio dac i bought for less then 20 euros, I finally bought a Objective 2, ODac Rev B combo.
    Boy oh boy can I hear the difference in quality.
    I also brought a denon PMA 300V amplifier from back home, but I think I will unplug the recording outpout connected to the cassette deck and instead just hook it straight from the deck to the DAC.
    For a first deck, this one isn't bad at all, the track skipping features are lovely.
    To extend it's life without any servicing I've stopped using the autoreverse and I try to not abuse too much the FF and RW.
    I haven't really tried recording with dbx, I tried playback with a pre-recorded album from Rod Steward and it sounds like GARBAGE.
    I think I will stick with Dolby C seeing as I havent really had any azimuth issues or any incompatible tapes with it.
     
  12. Boodokhan

    Boodokhan Well-Known Member

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    nice deck
    For a cheap DAC try Dragonfly potable USB DAC.

    [​IMG]
     
  13. Command8

    Command8 Active Member

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    I went with Hugo's suggestion and received a Objective 2, ODac Rev B combo this week.
    I can really feel the difference between this and the cheap stuff I had before.

    I'm kind of bumed out though, I'm so broke i let this amazing deal slip away:
    https://www.ebay.it/itm/Piastra-cassette-AIWA-mod-AD-F880-deck-vintage/273015167310?_trkparms=aid=777003&algo=DISCL.MBE&ao=1&asc=20140620091512&meid=65edd8314e164a4fb4dd8235b0c71f61&pid=100009&rk=5&rkt=10&sd=263416991986&_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982
     
  14. walkman archive

    walkman archive Administrator Staff Member

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    I'm glad that you are happy with my suggestion.
    The dragonfly seems to be a very recommendable device too, as Boodo khan suggest, but I'm not sure if it only has headphone out or also line out.

    That F880 is a good deal indeed. I'm going today to see another F880 because my F800 has the rec level knob broken and Sergi cannot repair it, so maybe I replace it. This one is for sale for 75 euros, which is a good deal too...
     
  15. Command8

    Command8 Active Member

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    That is the reason why i went with the Odac, it has an RCA lineout.

    I have found a much, much, better deal. I went back to the hobbypark market this weekend and I found a couple stalls that sell hi-fi. I found these 2 decks for sale but I didn't bring enough paper money on me:
    WhatsApp Image 2018-01-21 at 3.09.12 PM.jpeg WhatsApp Image 2018-01-21 at 3.09.22 PM.jpeg
    A Nakamichi bx-150e for 50 euros and A Teac V-1030 for 40 euros.
    I am unsure of which deck to buy.

    The teac seems like an excellent 3 head deck, it is from 1997.
    The nakamichi is a 2 head deck from the mid 80's.
    Looking at the data for the Nakamichi and the Teac, the Teac beats the Nakamichi at every turn.
     
    Last edited: Jan 21, 2018
  16. Command8

    Command8 Active Member

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    I bought the Nakamichi, currently repairing the transport, waiting for a new idler and going to clean the seized control motor.
     
  17. Command8

    Command8 Active Member

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    Alright, the nakamichi is now in business.
    [​IMG]
    For the cam motor, i just used a 9vold battery and had it amake contact in both directions for around 3-5 minutes each side.
    For speed adjustment, just followed Mihokm's guide.
     

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