PIONEER CT-F1250 3-Head Stereo Cassette Deck — Bias/Level/EQ Calibration System — Professionally Serviced

This Unit

Professionally serviced and tested. Work performed includes a new belt, complete cleaning of the tape path, cleaning and lubrication of the controls, full transport alignment, and playback/record testing. All functions have been tested and pass (basic operation demonstrated in the included video), with the expectation of reliable performance for the long term.

Cosmetically the deck presents very well. The face, rear panel, and connections are cosmetically superb, with only mild, visible surface wear on the top of the bonnet. Please review the photos and video closely, as they're part of the description.

About the Pioneer CT-F1250

The CT-F1250 was one of Pioneer's flagship cassette decks, released as metal tape was just being standardized in the late 1970s. It's a 3-head, 2-motor design built around a Quartz Locked Direct Drive capstan motor and a closed-loop dual-capstan transport — the same transport philosophy Pioneer used in their acclaimed RT-909 open-reel deck — keeping tape in constant, even contact with the heads. The record/playback head is Pioneer's Uni-Crystal Ferrite type, paired with a "small window" erase head designed to fully wipe metal-formulation tapes clean.

A standout feature is the built-in Bias/Level/EQ Calibration System — a dedicated tape-calibration bay with its own LED-aided tuning display, letting you fine-tune bias, level, and EQ to match the specific tape you're using. It's a feature not found on most decks of this era, and one that separates the CT-F1250 from more ordinary 3-head machines.

Verified Specifications

• Type: 3-head, single compact cassette deck
• Track System: 4-track, 2-channel stereo
• Tape Speed: 4.75 cm/s
• Motors: Quartz PLL direct-drive capstan motor; DC high-torque reel motor
• Heads: 1x Uni-Crystal Ferrite combination record/playback head; 1x small-window erase head
• Tape Types: Type I (Normal), CrO2, FeCr, Metal
• Noise Reduction: Dolby B
• Frequency Response: 20Hz–20kHz (Metal tape)
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 69dB (Dolby B)
• Wow & Flutter: 0.03% (WRMS)
• Total Harmonic Distortion: 1.0%
• Fast Winding Time: ~85 seconds (C-60 tape)
• Input: 60mV (line), 0.3mV (mic)
• Output: 0.45V (line)
• Dimensions: 420 x 187 x 369.5mm
• Weight: ~10.9kg
• Year: 1979–1981, made in Japan

Shipping

Ships worldwide, or local pickup can be arranged. Estimated cost of international shipping is based on delivery to Australia, the furthest distance from my location. Please inquire for an estimate to your specific address outside of the USA. The package will be large, heavy, delicate, and insured for full value, so shipping may be a significant expense.