Pioneer CT-979

Pioneer CT-979 – Reference Master Three-Head Cassette Deck with Super Auto BLE

The Pioneer CT-979 represents the highly sophisticated generation of cassette decks with which Pioneer pushed the Compact Cassette towards the limits of what was technically possible.

At its heart is Pioneer's elaborate “Reference Master” transport, combining closed tape guidance with a resonance-controlled dual-capstan system. The CT-979 also features a genuine three-head configuration, amorphous record and playback heads, digital tape-tension control and Pioneer's sophisticated Super Auto BLE tape-calibration system.

An unusually high 210 kHz bias frequency, extensive vibration-control measures and sophisticated recording-monitoring facilities further illustrate the engineering effort invested in this machine.

The CT-979 is consequently an excellent example of the remarkable technical level achieved by premium cassette recording at the height of its development.

Pioneer “Reference Master” Transport

Pioneer describes the transport of the CT-979 as its “Reference Master” mechanism.

Its closed tape path employs a sophisticated dual-capstan system designed to provide precise tape movement while reducing wow, flutter and intermodulation noise.

Stable tape travel is fundamental to high-quality magnetic recording. Even minute variations in the movement of the tape relative to the heads can affect recording and playback accuracy.

The CT-979 therefore also incorporates digital tape-tension control, designed to maintain consistently low speed fluctuations from the beginning to the end of a cassette.

Three Heads and True Off-Tape Monitoring

The CT-979 is a genuine three-head cassette deck.

Separate recording and playback functions allow the signal that has just been recorded to be reproduced immediately from the tape.

This provides true off-tape monitoring, allowing the user to compare the source signal directly with the actual recording while it is being made.

Pioneer equipped the CT-979 with amorphous record and playback heads, specified for a high signal-to-noise ratio and wide dynamic range.

For serious analogue recording, this combination of three-head architecture and immediate off-tape monitoring is a major advantage.

Super Auto BLE Tape Calibration

One of the most interesting features of the CT-979 is Pioneer's Super Auto BLE system.

Different cassette formulations – and even individual tapes of the same general type – can vary in sensitivity and optimum bias requirements.

Super Auto BLE is designed to optimise the recorder for the characteristics of the cassette being used.

Pioneer goes one step further by combining automatic calibration with additional manual control. A motor-driven bias control allows the user to fine-tune the result manually after automatic calibration.

This provides an unusual combination of convenience and control: automatic optimisation when desired, together with the possibility of further adjustment for particularly demanding recordings.

High 210 kHz Bias Frequency

Another particularly interesting technical feature is the 210 kHz bias frequency specified by Pioneer.

High-frequency bias is fundamental to magnetic recording. Pioneer selected this unusually high frequency in order to reduce beat effects and intermodulation noise and thereby achieve clean, dynamic recordings.

It is another indication that the CT-979 was engineered not simply as a cassette player, but as a serious recording machine.

Sophisticated Vibration-Control Construction

Considerable attention was also paid to mechanical resonance.

Pioneer specifies a number of measures including:

• rigid chassis construction with honeycomb reinforcement
• extensive shielding
• cassette stabilisation
• vibration-damped motor mounting
• decoupled cassette-compartment door
• substantial damping feet

These measures are intended to keep unwanted mechanical energy away from the transport and sensitive circuitry.

In a precision cassette deck this is more than a matter of luxury construction: stable mechanical conditions contribute directly to accurate tape travel across the heads.

Direct Connection and Line Straight

Pioneer also devoted considerable attention to the audio signal path.

Its Direct Connection concept employs short signal paths and separate power supplies in pursuit of clean and dynamic signal transmission.

The CT-979 additionally provides a Line Straight function that bypasses the balance control.

According to Pioneer, switching is performed by a relay with gold-plated contacts.

This illustrates the philosophy behind the machine: unnecessary circuitry can be removed from the signal path when it is not required.

Precise Recording-Level Monitoring

The CT-979 provides an elaborate fluorescent level meter with Peak Hold.

For particularly precise adjustment, the meter can be switched to a narrower range offering increased resolution.

Pioneer also provides peak-level calibration, allowing the peak-value display to be recalibrated for accurate tape-level optimisation.

The display itself can even be switched off to minimise possible electrical interference during critical recordings.

Dolby B, Dolby C and HX Pro

Noise reduction is provided by Dolby B and Dolby C.

The CT-979 also incorporates Dolby HX Pro, which operates during recording to optimise effective bias according to the musical signal.

This can improve available high-frequency recording headroom, particularly with demanding programme material.

A switchable MPX filter is also provided.

CD-Deck Synchro

Pioneer's CD-Deck Synchro function simplifies recording from a compatible CD player onto cassette.

It is also an interesting reminder of the period in which the CT-979 was created: the Compact Disc had already become an important digital source while the analogue cassette deck was simultaneously reaching one of the highest levels of technical sophistication in its history.

Extensive Convenience Features

The CT-979 combines its sophisticated recording facilities with comprehensive operating convenience, including:

• music search for up to 15 selections in either direction
• electronic tape/time counter
• remaining-time display
• counter-controlled fast winding
• recording mute with automatic spacing
• automatic tape-type selection
• motor-assisted loading and eject
• repeat function
• headphone output with level control
• timer capability for recording and playback

A Cassette Deck from the Technical Peak of the Format

Machines such as the Pioneer CT-979 demonstrate just how far the Compact Cassette had developed from its originally modest concept.

Pioneer addressed the inherent limitations of the format with considerable engineering sophistication: dual-capstan tape transport, digital tape-tension control, three-head architecture, off-tape monitoring, automatic calibration with manual bias fine adjustment and an unusually high 210 kHz bias frequency.

Together with extensive mechanical damping and carefully designed audio circuitry, these features make the CT-979 a fascinating example of the late generation of highly developed cassette recorders.

Main Features

• Pioneer three-head cassette deck
• “Reference Master” transport
• closed tape path
• dual-capstan transport
• digital tape-tension control
• amorphous record and playback heads
• true off-tape monitoring
• Super Auto BLE tape calibration
• motor-driven bias adjustment
• manual bias fine adjustment
• 210 kHz bias frequency
• Dolby B
• Dolby C
• Dolby HX Pro
• MPX filter
• Direct Connection
• Line Straight
• fluorescent level meter
• Peak Hold
• high-resolution meter range
• peak-level calibration
• switchable display
• CD-Deck Synchro
• music search up to 15 selections in either direction
• electronic tape/time counter with remaining-time indication
• automatic tape-type selection
• motor-assisted loading and eject
• headphone output with level control
• timer capability for recording and playback

Our Verdict

The Pioneer CT-979 is an impressive example of the extraordinary technical development achieved by the cassette deck towards the end of its great era.

Its combination of the Reference Master dual-capstan transport and digital tape-tension control provides the mechanical foundation, while three-head technology and true off-tape monitoring allow direct evaluation of the recording.

With Super Auto BLE, Pioneer adds another sophisticated element: the cassette can be automatically calibrated while the motor-driven bias control still permits manual fine adjustment.

Together with its 210 kHz bias frequency, amorphous heads, Direct Connection circuitry and elaborate vibration-control construction, the CT-979 clearly demonstrates how seriously Pioneer regarded the Compact Cassette as a high-quality recording medium.

For enthusiasts of analogue recording technology, the CT-979 is therefore much more than a nostalgic cassette player – it is a fascinating example of Japanese HiFi engineering from the mature period of the Compact Cassette.