[Vintage-Audio] Pioneer RT-901

[Robert Nickels]

> What can you tell me about the quality, reliability and value of the
Pioneer
> model RT-901 reel to reel deck?

Duane, I guess I've got four of them, various models (some auto reverse and
some not).  I like them because they can be rack-mounted and they also look
nice along with the boatanchor radios, hi!   They seem to be well designed
and solidly constructed, I've done minor work on one deck and didn't have
any problem working on it.   I've also left mine turned on for months at a
time with no ill effect.  Given the age and how well they still work, I
would say the designers did a good job of minimizing the effects of wear and
aging, unlike some other decks that lose braking tension and start acting
flaky as they get older.

Price?  I'd say $150-250 average, I paid about that for my first one, and
found the others at hamfests for about half that.  They were popular, lots
sold thru hi-fi stores in the 70's so that helps hold the price down and
most I've seen are in very good condition, probably because they came out
near the end of the r-r era and weren't used all that much.

As for head re-lapping, here is one source -
JRF Magnetic Sciences:
http://www.jrfmagnetics.com/index.html?JRF_mainframe=/JRF_relapping.html
Audio Magnegics:  http://www.audiomagnetics.com/serv01.htm
IEM:  http://www.iemmag.com/repair.html

I've never used theseservices, but from the website it really looks like
they knows how do re-furbish the head as long as it's not too badly worn to
be salvagable.  Maybe others have more actual experience.   I think you will
like the RT-901.

73, Bob W9RAN