PIONEER CT-S800

[MacGyver]

WOW!! i just found some AWESOME high-res pics of the standard-line version of my reference dream deck, the CT-91/91a...



CT-S800 (1988)




http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/CT-S8008.jpg



http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/CT-S8009.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/CT-S80010.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/CT-S80011.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/CT-S80013.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/CT-S80012.jpg

[Scorpion8]

Interesting. It's a 3-head deck with no tape monitor. I have a Nak 581 that is set up the same (except there's a spt where you know the Tape/Source switch is supposed to go). What's the purpose of a 3-head deck with no-off tape capability? Optimization of each head for a specific purpose (PLAY/REC)?

[Web Police]

Interesting. It's a 3-head deck with no tape monitor.

It has a monitor/auto switch, which does the same thing as a source/tape switch. I have this decks baby brother the CT-S705 and it has this same monitor/auto switch. It does indeed switch between tape and source.

[Scorpion8]

I saw that, but it looked more like an indicator LED rather than a pushbutton since it's not in the same style as any of the other buttons/switches. I thought maybe it was actuated off the remote-only.

[Web Police]

In that period Pioneer liked to use some small gold metal buttons mixed with the black plastic buttons, why I don't know. My cassette decks doesn't use those buttons, but my Pioneer VSX-9500 has several of them.

My CT-S705 is a three head deck but it doesn't have the shielded transformer that the CT-S800 does. Also the 800 is a dual capstan drive where the 705 is a single capstan drive deck. The face plates are similar and mine also has the box around the level and balance pots in the back of the deck.

Interestingly enough mine has a hole where the second capstan would be, but it only has one. the 705 also doesn't have the fancy label on the pb and record head either. and it probably doesn't have anywhere near the specs of the 800, but it is a nice deck in it's own right.

BTW the 800 deck was reviewed in the March 1989 Stereo Review. LA do you have a copy or a scan of that review?

This link is for an ebay listing for one earlier this summer.

http://74.125.93.104/translate_c?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://cgi.ebay.es/Pioneer-CT-S800-Cassette-Elite-quality-3-head-motor_W0QQitemZ280234177113QQihZ018QQcategoryZ4784 QQcmdZViewItem&prev=/search%3Fq%3DPIONEER%2BCT-S800%26start%3D40%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN&usg=ALkJrhgZNouE6ojnd-2kU0Trx7GKq5DNuw

[Marc Hugo]

............ and it probably doesn't have anywhere near the specs of the 800, but it is a nice deck in it's own right.

BTW the 800 deck was reviewed in the March 1989 Stereo Review. LA do you have a copy or a scan of that review?

[/URL]

Hi WebPolice - your 705 is not so different really - if you look at the specs - there is some difference but not significant, nor especially audible. I have the CT-S740S and CT-S640S. The former is dual cap Reference Master Mech, but the latter is not, and I assure you, no slouch. The precision single capstan design of these top non-dual-3 headers, with the RTH (retarded trailing hub) is really effective. My -640 is pitch perfect. Other single cap decks that I know are very steady include the last of the Yamaha KXs, the TASCAMS and the Sony TC-KA2ES/1ES. Technics last great deck, the RS-AZ7 was single cap - with perfect pitch integrity. These units are very sure footed. The ceramic and sorbothane holders make them even better.

The CT-S800 is splendid - but its successor, the CT-S810S had Dolby S and S-Auto BLE, with a manual bias over-ride. The looks did not change much though.

Lady A!! Buy them all!!

Cheers - Marc

[Web Police]

Thanks for the info Marc.

According to my Stereo Buyers Guide buyers the 705 was a 1989 deck and the 800 was made in 1988. I am quite pleased with the sound of my 705 and for the price I bought it for it is even sweeter. I also bought it because it in the same style genre as my Pioneer VSX-9500 receiver.

[MacGyver]

those little gold metal buttons, (actually gold-chrome plated plastic) were part of PIONEER's design scheme for several years. from 1988 to 1991, i believe. my 1990 VSX-D1S shares this design feature...


http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/VSX-D1S1.jpg



anyway, i REALLY want that deck!! i have a difficult time deciding between the beautiful longhanded "Reference Cassette Deck" legend and piano-black japanese urushi lauquer finshed aluminum face of the CT-91/91a, or the solid looks of the CT-S800's brushed, anodized aluminum. if i happen upon a CT-S800 first, i'll likely go for it and count myself lucky and be satisfied. after all, they are both internally identical in every detail, and the S800 can generally be had for a good deal less than the 91/91a...

[MacGyver]

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/CT-S8009.jpg


*reelspin**hypnot*;-((Beautiful Deck!!!!;-((*hypnot**reelspin*

[MacGyver]

Hi WebPolice - your 705 is not so different really - if you look at the specs - there is some difference but not significant, nor especially audible. I have the CT-S740S and CT-S640S. The former is dual cap Reference Master Mech, but the latter is not, and I assure you, no slouch. The precision single capstan design of these top non-dual-3 headers, with the RTH (retarded trailing hub) is really effective. My -640 is pitch perfect. Other single cap decks that I know are very steady include the last of the Yamaha KXs, the TASCAMS and the Sony TC-KA2ES/1ES. Technics last great deck, the RS-AZ7 was single cap - with perfect pitch integrity. These units are very sure footed. The ceramic and sorbothane holders make them even better.

The CT-S800 is splendid - but its successor, the CT-S810S had Dolby S and S-Auto BLE, with a manual bias over-ride. The looks did not change much though.

Lady A!! Buy them all!!

Cheers - Marc


i'm afraid that i simply lack the physical space to build a collection. i really only have the space for my favorites, of which the CT-S800/CT-91a and CT-W910R remain...


PIONEER CT-S810S (199?)


http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/CT-S810S1.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/CT-S810S2.jpg

[Marc Hugo]

Hi Lady Ayeka,

Where do you find these excellent high resolution photos? That CT-S800 and now the 810S (I think circa 1991)- they look new. Keep your dreams alive!!

That's a great piece of music by the way - The Crystal Method - "Keep Hope Alive". The perfect sounds to drive fast to. (Dreadful English/Engrish, but you know what I mean!!)

Cheers - Marc

[MacGyver]

Hi Lady Ayeka,

Where do you find these excellent high resolution photos? That CT-S800 and now the 810S (I think circa 1991)- they look new. Keep your dreams alive!!

That's a great piece of music by the way - The Crystal Method - "Keep Hope Alive". The perfect sounds to drive fast to. (Dreadful English/Engrish, but you know what I mean!!)

Cheers - Marc

GOOGLE search for whatever the subject matter may be. for instance, type in "CT-W900R" and search through what comes up. hit and miss, to be sure, but that and ebay searches are the only real way to find such images...

[iamhifi]

Lady Ayeka,
I end up buying the Pioneer CT S800 on ebay. I am going to compare to what I have and see where Pioneer ranks. If by any chance I find it to be similar to what I have in performance then it is a great buy since Dragons, CR-7A, ZX-9 sell for way more. Again if I come to the conclussion that the sound is a bit bellow then you are welcome to buy it from me a modest price that you can afford. Maybe this deck is a great match to your Pioneer receiver. Although I have a friend that will kill me if I don't show it to him since I sold him the PD-91, but again he owns 2 Naks ZX-7. Once I get it i will keep everyone posted of my findings.
Angel

[stuwee]

Lady Ayeka,
I end up buying the Pioneer CT S800 on ebay. I am going to compare to what I have and see where Pioneer ranks. If by any chance I find it to be similar to what I have in performance then it is a great buy since Dragons, CR-7A, ZX-9 sell for way more. Again if I come to the conclussion that the sound is a bit bellow then you are welcome to buy it from me a modest price that you can afford. Maybe this deck is a great match to your Pioneer receiver. Although I have a friend that will kill me if I don't show it to him since I sold him the PD-91, but again he owns 2 Naks ZX-7. Once I get it i will keep everyone posted of my findings.
Angel

Wow! LA, Angel sounds like a true Angel!!*Hi5* you may be closer to your dream system, I hope you got that box I sent you with the GR-777 in it!

stu