The
CT-F2121 cassette deck was introduced in 1975. It was an entry level
tape deck designed for first-time cassette deck buyers, but still
contained an impressive number of performance features that made it very
popular with American consumers. It listed for just under
$200. Pioneer offered it through 1977.
Introduced
in 1977, the CT-F4242 was a step up from the CT-F2121 that year with a list
price $225. It had an impressive S/N ratio of 62Db with Dolby noise
reduction. Pioneer manufactured the CT-F4242 for only two years.
Pioneer CT-F6262
The
CT-F6262 was part of the new 1977 cassette deck line up by Pioneer that
year. It had a list price of $270 and with it came the simulated
woodgrain enclosure. It was manufactured through 1978. It sold well
during those two years, and good working examples can be had at auction
for a very reasonable price today.
Pioneer CT-F7171
The
CT-F7171 was introduced in 1974 as Pioneer's top-of-the-line cassette
deck. Like Pioneers receivers, this deck received a rich walnut
veneer and solid walnut trim cabinet. It had a list price just under
$370. It was offered again in 1975, but was replaced the following
year by the CT-F7272.
Pioneer CT-F7272
The
CT-F7272 reached the consumer market in 1976. It listed for $320,
but most dealers discounted their equipment 10-20 percent. It was
offered again in 1977. It had performance specs almost as good as the
CT-F9191 cassette deck.
Pioneer CT-F8282
The
CT-F8282 was introduced in 1976 and was second only to the CT-F9191
cassette in the Pioneer lineup that year. It listed for $400.
It was ruggedly built, weighing over 28 pounds! Pioneer definitely
built its components in the late 1970s to last for many years.
Production of the CT-F8282 continued through 1977.
Pioneer CT-F9191
The
CT-F9191 was Pioneer's top of the line cassette tape deck in 1975 when it was
introduced. Today, it is still recognized as one of the finest
cassette decks Pioneer ever built and is sought after by collectors. It
had a list price of $450 and discriminating buyers of Pioneer equipment
eagerly got out their checkbooks; this model was a good seller. It
was offered again in 1976.
Pioneer CT-F500
In
1978 Pioneer introduced the CT-F500, its new entry-level cassette
deck. It was a handsome deck with impressive features for its list
price under $200. It was so popular, Pioneer kept it in production
for three years. Although examples do go up on the internet for sale
or auction, parts are virtually unobtainable. It makes more sense to
invest in one of the more expensive models and have it serviced.
Pioneer CT-F650
The
CT-F650, which was introduced in 1979, featured new blue fluorescent
readouts instead of the traditional VU meters that had been prevalent on
cassette decks for years. List price was just under $300. It
had an impressive 69 db S/N ratio with Dolby engaged. The CT-F650
was offered also in 1980.
Pioneer CT-F750
In
1979, Pioneer introduced the CT-F750, which replaced the CT-F700.
Like other Pioneer cassette decks that year, it featured fluorescent
displays. This deck had a list price of just under $400. It was
manufactured through 1980.
Pioneer CT-F800
This
model was introduced by Pioneer in 1978 and was manufactured for that year
only. It had a list price of just under $450, a reflection of the
inflation trend in the late seventies. It was roughly in the middle
of Pioneer's cassette deck lineup that year, which ranged from the CT-F500
to the CT-F1000.
Pioneer CT-F900
The
CT-F900 is a rare cassette today because it was offered only in
1978. It had a list price of $475, with performance and features
making it well worth the price. Nevertheless, Pioneer replaced it
with the CT-F950 in 1979.
Pioneer CT-F950
The
CT-F950 was one of Pioneer's top cassette decks for 1979. It had a
price tag to match, listing for nearly $600. It is a highly prized
cassette deck, even today. It continued in production for another
year, but already Pioneer was designing a new line of components that
would not have to look or feel of this wonderful cassette deck.
Pioneer CT-F1000
The
CT-F1000 was introduced by Pioneer as its top-of-the-line model for 1978.
That was the last year VU meters were used in a few of Pioneer's cassette
decks. By 1979 fluorescent displays were used on all of Pioneer's
cassette decks. The CT-F1000 was manufactured for one year
only. It had a list price of $600.
CT-F1050
The
CT-F1050 was introduced by Pioneer in the early 1980s, either 1981 or
1982. It marked a trend by Pioneer to go toward a lower profile for
its cassette decks. It still featured the handsome brushed aluminum
front panel and machined aluminum knobs, but this look would soon change
to a design with matte finish aluminum panel and pushbuttons instead of
knobs or toggle switches.
Pioneer CT-F1250
The
CT-F1250 marked the high water-mark of cassette deck performance and
technology when it was introduced by Pioneer in 1979. It had every
feature any cassette owner could possibly want. Performance
specifications rivaled those of reel to reel decks. It had a list
price of just under $700 and was manufactured for two years.
Collectors are snapping up the CT-F1250 today because, as the saying goes,
"They don't make 'em like this anymore!"
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The
CT-F2121 cassette deck was introduced in 1975. It was an entry level
tape deck designed for first-time cassette deck buyers, but still
contained an impressive number of performance features that made it very
popular with American consumers. It listed for just under
$200. Pioneer offered it through 1977. 
Introduced
in 1977, the CT-F4242 was a step up from the CT-F2121 that year with a list
price $225. It had an impressive S/N ratio of 62Db with Dolby noise
reduction. Pioneer manufactured the CT-F4242 for only two years.
The
CT-F6262 was part of the new 1977 cassette deck line up by Pioneer that
year. It had a list price of $270 and with it came the simulated
woodgrain enclosure. It was manufactured through 1978. It sold well
during those two years, and good working examples can be had at auction
for a very reasonable price today.
The
CT-F7171 was introduced in 1974 as Pioneer's top-of-the-line cassette
deck. Like Pioneers receivers, this deck received a rich walnut
veneer and solid walnut trim cabinet. It had a list price just under
$370. It was offered again in 1975, but was replaced the following
year by the CT-F7272.
The
CT-F7272 reached the consumer market in 1976. It listed for $320,
but most dealers discounted their equipment 10-20 percent. It was
offered again in 1977. It had performance specs almost as good as the
CT-F9191 cassette deck. 
The
CT-F8282 was introduced in 1976 and was second only to the CT-F9191
cassette in the Pioneer lineup that year. It listed for $400.
It was ruggedly built, weighing over 28 pounds! Pioneer definitely
built its components in the late 1970s to last for many years.
Production of the CT-F8282 continued through 1977.
The
CT-F9191 was Pioneer's top of the line cassette tape deck in 1975 when it was
introduced. Today, it is still recognized as one of the finest
cassette decks Pioneer ever built and is sought after by collectors. It
had a list price of $450 and discriminating buyers of Pioneer equipment
eagerly got out their checkbooks; this model was a good seller. It
was offered again in 1976. 
In
1978 Pioneer introduced the CT-F500, its new entry-level cassette
deck. It was a handsome deck with impressive features for its list
price under $200. It was so popular, Pioneer kept it in production
for three years. Although examples do go up on the internet for sale
or auction, parts are virtually unobtainable. It makes more sense to
invest in one of the more expensive models and have it serviced.
The
CT-F650, which was introduced in 1979, featured new blue fluorescent
readouts instead of the traditional VU meters that had been prevalent on
cassette decks for years. List price was just under $300. It
had an impressive 69 db S/N ratio with Dolby engaged. The CT-F650
was offered also in 1980.
In
1979, Pioneer introduced the CT-F750, which replaced the CT-F700.
Like other Pioneer cassette decks that year, it featured fluorescent
displays. This deck had a list price of just under $400. It was
manufactured through 1980.
This
model was introduced by Pioneer in 1978 and was manufactured for that year
only. It had a list price of just under $450, a reflection of the
inflation trend in the late seventies. It was roughly in the middle
of Pioneer's cassette deck lineup that year, which ranged from the CT-F500
to the CT-F1000. 
The
CT-F900 is a rare cassette today because it was offered only in
1978. It had a list price of $475, with performance and features
making it well worth the price. Nevertheless, Pioneer replaced it
with the CT-F950 in 1979. 
The
CT-F950 was one of Pioneer's top cassette decks for 1979. It had a
price tag to match, listing for nearly $600. It is a highly prized
cassette deck, even today. It continued in production for another
year, but already Pioneer was designing a new line of components that
would not have to look or feel of this wonderful cassette deck.
The
CT-F1000 was introduced by Pioneer as its top-of-the-line model for 1978.
That was the last year VU meters were used in a few of Pioneer's cassette
decks. By 1979 fluorescent displays were used on all of Pioneer's
cassette decks. The CT-F1000 was manufactured for one year
only. It had a list price of $600.
The
CT-F1050 was introduced by Pioneer in the early 1980s, either 1981 or
1982. It marked a trend by Pioneer to go toward a lower profile for
its cassette decks. It still featured the handsome brushed aluminum
front panel and machined aluminum knobs, but this look would soon change
to a design with matte finish aluminum panel and pushbuttons instead of
knobs or toggle switches.
The
CT-F1250 marked the high water-mark of cassette deck performance and
technology when it was introduced by Pioneer in 1979. It had every
feature any cassette owner could possibly want. Performance
specifications rivaled those of reel to reel decks. It had a list
price of just under $700 and was manufactured for two years.
Collectors are snapping up the CT-F1250 today because, as the saying goes,
"They don't make 'em like this anymore!"