My return back to Hi-Fi.

[p147]

Hello Josie,
Now that is very interesting, I have never seen pictures of an original one, did you have any photos or are there any photos? I cannot seem to find any on the net.
Can you tell me where the mechanics identical and how easy was to maintain?
Thanks

[RobbieGong]

Thanks Marco,
Until you have seen, held and heard the older vintage gear it is not possible to appreciate how well designed and built they are, something I believe will never be repeated.

Can only vouch Josie - What my Sansui AU 919 vintage integrated amp does is just a revelation and 1978/9 at that

[p147]

Hello Robert,
Sansui was second on my list to compile a complete system they made some superb vintage gear but more difficult to find, 3rd would have been Marantz.

Can only vouch Josie - What my Sansui AU 919 vintage integrated amp does is just a revelation and 1978/9 at that

[The Black Adder]

Hi Paul Yes here is a pic of mine.



FYI the original black series were made for the US Military in the late 70's. There are only a handful of those decks left but on actually seeing one in real life the finish wasn't very good. This was because of the poor quality aluminium. Back in the 70's the coating wasn't good and so you had blotches.

All the black parts you see above were all made in Germany by a really top end hifi company (of which I can't remember at this moment in time, but it will come to me). The finish was perfect in every way. The over-print on the main deck panel was pin sharp too. The supplier of these parts only had a few sets made due the cost of a low quantity run. The process of doing this was very specialised due to the base material not being very good.

The tape head block laser aligned and heads re-lapped by JRF in the U.S and a fully functioning custom made remote control was also fitted.

The RT in it's stock form is quite a clunky machine but mine had custom made updates to the brake drums and a custom made oil damper which engaged with the Solenoids that controlled tape guides. It was like using a high end Nakamichi cassette deck. Very slick. This should have been done from the start on the RT IMO, but I suppose Pioneer were looking more on cutting costs.

I was going to do the DBX II update but it wasn't meant to be.

One of the biggest undertakings I've ever done, a real labour of love but after a while I fancied moving in to other things so I sold it on.

As I said, asthetically it amazing. But once you take the panels off it's not particularly good quality compared to a Studer. For example the main fascia plate on the RT is a simple press braked bit of sheet steel which on most decks isn't very accurately done whilst on a Studer/Revox it's a cast plate. A fully serviced up Studer also sounded much better.

If I had the DBX II done I'm sure it would certainly be up there with any other semi-pro decks or maybe a Revox or something.

Would I have one again? Yes... Would I do it all again... Yes because let's face it, it's a lovely thing.

[p147]

That is truly amazing, wish I was around when you sold it but never mind, not sure how long I will have to wait for another to come up for sale but I will see how things go.
Very grateful for all the other additional info and photo, after your last reply I typed in Swiss pioneer rt-909 and loads of other info came up.
Thanks again.

Hi Paul Yes here is a pic of mine.



FYI the original black series were made for the US Military in the late 70's. There are only a handful of those decks left but on actually seeing one in real life the finish wasn't very good. This was because of the poor quality aluminium. Back in the 70's the coating wasn't good and so you had blotches.

All the black parts you see above were all made in Germany by a really top end hifi company (of which I can't remember at this moment in time, but it will come to me). The finish was perfect in every way. The over-print on the main deck panel was pin sharp too. The supplier of these parts only had a few sets made due the cost of a low quantity run. The process of doing this was very specialised due to the base material not being very good.

The tape head block laser aligned and heads re-lapped by JRF in the U.S and a fully functioning custom made remote control was also fitted.

The RT in it's stock form is quite a clunky machine but mine had custom made updates to the brake drums and a custom made oil damper which engaged with the Solenoids that controlled tape guides. It was like using a high end Nakamichi cassette deck. Very slick. This should have been done from the start on the RT IMO, but I suppose Pioneer were looking more on cutting costs.

I was going to do the DBX II update but it wasn't meant to be.

One of the biggest undertakings I've ever done, a real labour of love but after a while I fancied moving in to other things so I sold it on.

As I said, asthetically it amazing. But once you take the panels off it's not particularly good quality compared to a Studer. For example the main fascia plate on the RT is a simple press braked bit of sheet steel which on most decks isn't very accurately done whilst on a Studer/Revox it's a cast plate. A fully serviced up Studer also sounded much better.

If I had the DBX II done I'm sure it would certainly be up there with any other semi-pro decks or maybe a Revox or something.

Would I have one again? Yes... Would I do it all again... Yes because let's face it, it's a lovely thing.

[The Black Adder]

Your very welcome, Paul.

If I hear of one going I'll let you know.

[p147]

Now that I sold my Dynaudio c1s, I ordered from e-Bay (Germany) and took delivery of these yesterday to add to my Pioneer collection (Pioneer s-2ex)
These speakers are the best finish on a speaker I have ever seen and they are heavy and solid, looking forward to connecting them up and once I have finished making up the stands I will update.
Looking forward to hearing the TAD drivers and Beryllium dual-concentric tweeters on the speakers.
I have set aside looking for the Pioneer RT-909 for now as they are impossible to find, however I am now looking to replace my current JVC turntable for a Pioneer PL-90, so if anyone wants to sell one or knows of one please let me know, hopefully they are easier to find than the black RT-909

[Bigman80]

😍

Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk

[Gazjam]

Gorgeous looking system, my kinda kit.

[p147]

Almost there, having recently bought the speakers stands on this site a couple of weeks ago and having a larger top plate milled up to site the new speakers on, I have spent that time rubbing them down, staining, oiling and finally polishing them up, therefore gone from oak finish to ebony finish, but bear in mind the stands for these speakers come to over £1k and that's if you can find them, these stands have only cost me £138 and a little bit of hard work, well happy.
I cannot make up my mind whether to have the grills on or off though
All connected up and I must say how good these speakers sound and everything does sound so much better than the dynaudios I had (And they were brilliant little speakers), that I am listening to all my music again, problem is these speakers will highlight any inferior and poor quality recordings even on new 180g vinyl!
Just like to add I am still looking for an elusive Pioneer PL-90 turntable so if anyone has one or knows of one for sale please let me know as that is all I now need to complete my system.