CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

Jeremy112 · Joined: 28 Sep 2006 Posts: 2649 Location: Fond du Lac, WI

Just thought I would share with everyone here my little project cassette deck I picked up on ebay. Came with the original box and some really ugly and gaudy wood cabinet someone made for it. Ironically the wood cabinet protected the faceplate from any damage, but the deck was stored somewhere a bit damp as all 24 buttons have turned green.

So far I've replaced over 100 capacitors in the deck with new nichicon fine gold, muse, and FW capacitors. (Save for the one nippon chemicon I had to purchase that nichicon did not have). I checked every capacitor I removed, and every capacitor I put in its place to make sure I got the capacitance closest to exact. Just something I like to do to make sure. Just because the capacitor is new doesn't mean its better Smile

Edit:

Forgot to mention the other important stuff that I have done to it such as cleaning/deoxing and lubing the controls and switches up as well as the tape sensing switches (the main one was being a real PITA too). Also got 2 of 4 belts replaced, the capstan belts will require disassembly of the transport.

Heads are in mint condition, rollers and idler tire are in great shape, no cracking, cleaned them up and they are good as new. Just a few more capacitors, some new buttons, and 2 more belts and functionally it should be as good if not better than pioneer had sold it.

The only downer really with this unit is the frequency range which is 30hz to 17khz. Not tooo bad, but it could be better. However still good for pioneers first digitron display cassette deck.

Someday a CT-F1250 would be nice ... Anyway heres a few nudie pics for everyone Smile

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2013 8:18 am Post subject:

This is the droid you're looking for. Very Happy

Nashou66 · Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 16171 Location: West Seneca NY

Nice Jeremy. I need to get to work on my Yamaha A1 Integrated. I have the caps for the PS and some lights. If you can get a source for the front swing down door it be great. I have been looking for months.

Athanasios

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2013 3:31 pm Post subject:

Jeremy, I may have a second one of those. It's the CT-F series, I know it's not the 1250. Mine most likely is in the reverse condition. It belonged to a chain smoker, the whole faceplate and all knobs were yellow from nicotine, and you know what the belts looked like. Yuck!

Picked it up from the recycler 2 years ago, and sold the matching SX series receiver- the 1250 I think, for $660 on ebay. The receiver cleaned up really nicely, I suspect the deck will as well. Not sure if I want to sell it or go through it, I recently stocked up on belts, so I should have enough here to do the deck. PM me if you're interested, and maybe this weekend I'll pop it back on the bench to better assess it. I don't need a lot for it really..

Jeremy112 · Joined: 28 Sep 2006 Posts: 2649 Location: Fond du Lac, WI

Jeremy112 · Joined: 28 Sep 2006 Posts: 2649 Location: Fond du Lac, WI

Just thought I would update the post a bit. The deck is nearing completion. The transport is finally done, may as well call it rebuilt, but it works perfect and is right on with the service manuals specs. I got all the buttons cleaned up and they look great, went from a green lime back to original pewter shine. All internal wires cleaned as well. This thing literally smells like a new tape deck right out of the box again.

Faceplate and knobs cleaned up as well. screws for the faceplate and the tape head door cleaned up as well.

All thats left now is to clean up the top cover, external rear panel & inputs/outputs and it will be finished! A top shelf unit once again. Here 's some new photos with the faceplate back on. Not a perfect one, but 99% is pretty good Smile

Enjoy the pics.

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2013 6:12 pm Post subject:

Looks pretty damn fine to me. Where's the lacking 1%? I sure don't see it!

HK-Steve · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2013 6:18 pm Post subject:

Looks Fantastic, Nice job.

Cheers