Simplicity always win. This is very true for this fantastic tape deck. The Pioneer CT-200 is a slim, simple, and elegant stereo cassette deck first released in 1980 in Japan, with classic big VU meters, physical control knobs and a satisfying mechanical operation sound.

The Pioneer CT-200 deck has full logic control system with an electronic stop device and clicky solenoid-plunger mechanisms. The deck makes awesome recordings from vinyl and the playback is surprisingly smooth and stable.

The big twin VU-meters are the most significant trademark of this deck. You can select from Standard / CrO2 / Metal tape types. Instead of conventional detachable RCA jacks, some variants / setups utilize hardwired internal cables - this was a common solution in the 1980s.

This is a completely restored item with new belts, new idler tires, clean heads and fully calibrated speed, playback and recording levels.

Specifications

Manufacturer: Pioneer

Model: CT-200

Serial No: BA8499388

Type: Front loading cassette tape deck

Years of manufacture: 1980-1981

Country of origin: Japan

Color: silver

Power consumption: 15 W

Dimensions: 420 x 99 x 327 mm

Weight: 4.7 kg

Technical data

Type: 2-head, single compact cassette deck

Track System: 4-track, 2-channel stereo

Tape Speed: 4.76 cm/s

Heads: 1 x record/playback (hard permalloy), 1 x erase (ferrite)

Motor: 1 x DC servo motor

Tape Compatibility: Type I (Normal), CrO2 (Chromium Dioxide), and Metal tapes

Frequency Response:

- Metal tape: 20Hz to 18,000Hz

- CrO2 tape: 20Hz to 17,000Hz

- Standard/LH tape: 20Hz to 15,000Hz

Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 68 dB (with Dolby B noise reduction on, over 5 kHz)

Wow and Flutter: 0.05% WRMS

Total Harmonic Distortion: 1.2%

Noise Reduction: Dolby B

Connections

Connections & Power

Inputs: 50 mV for Line (75 kΩ), 0.3 mV for Microphone (10 kΩ)

Outputs: 0.45 V for Line

Power Consumption: 19 Watts