Manual Library / Pioneer

Pioneer RT-909

Reel To Reel Tape Recorder (1979-84)

(7 reviews)

Description

The Pioneer RT-909 3-motor deck, with auto reverse / repeat playback and many more features, takes the open-reel format another important and impressive step ahead of anything available in the cassette format.

You’re going to sense this the moment you see it, and hear it, in action. Features? It’s another loaded deck from Pioneer. It not only accepts the conventional 7 inch reels, but also the professional size 10.5 inch diameter reels.

It gives an exceptionally wide frequency range of 20Hz to 28kHz (± 3dB) and, to match this outstanding performance, gives low wow / flutter of 0.04% or better, with both specifications measured at the 7.5 ips tape speed.

It mixes microphone inputs and line inputs, another advanced professional feature. And it allows instant comparison between the tape and the original, as well as azimuth adjustments of the heads. Add up all of this Pioneer perfection and there’s no doubt that the RT-909 is made for the person who has major musical ambitions and strongly professional tastes.

And yet if you’ve never considered making the big move upward into open-reel, because you thought they were too complicated, you’ll be happy to learn that Pioneer has equipped the RT-909 with the kind of features that only an open-reel novice could appreciate. Things like exceptional headroom (and flexibility) that means this open-reel format offers more overall performance in terms of dynamic range, distortion and noise than the best of cassette formats. And much more: convenient automatic reverse / repeat playback, tape-saving 3.75 ips speed, easy to read Fluroscan meter and 4 digit counter, timer start, LED indicators, and other features.

Are you ready for the move to open-reel perfection? Pioneer has made a beautiful deck and equipped it in such a way that it performs with the ease and perfection of a cassette deck.

Specifications

Track system: auto reverse, 4-track, 2-channel, stereo system

Heads: 2 x playback, 1 x record, 1 x erase

Motor: 2 x reel, 1 x capstan

Reel size: up to 10.5 inch reel

Tape speeds: 3 3⁄4  7 1⁄2 ips

Wow and flutter: 0.04% (7 1⁄2 ips)

Frequency response: 20Hz to 30kHz (7 1⁄2 ips)

Signal to Noise Ratio: 60dB

Total harmonic distortion: 1%

Crosstalk: 50dB

Input: 50mV (line), 0.3mV (mic)

Output: 0.45V (line)

Semiconductors: 4 x FET, 43 x IC, 121 x transistors, 126 x diodes

Dimensions: 480 x 340 x 318mm

Weight: 21kg

Year: 1979

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Reviewed Jan 20th, 2023 by hdgabriel

Acabo de comprar el mio en Argentina y lo pague u$s 77, un sueño hecho realidad.

Reviewed Jun 12th, 2018 by Tomsommers

Love the 909 Purchased mine in 1980 has been a great investment excellent format for Recording music

Reviewed Jun 03rd, 2018 by RTM

Arguably, the finest 3.75/7.5 ips 10-inch reel RTR machine out there. Bulletproof construction and Glass/Epoxy circuit boards throughout. With 21st Century tape, you’ll be surprised how much headroom it has for that speed configuration. I’ve had mine since 1991 without a minutes trouble, except for changing the belt ONCE about five years ago. You do need to tighten up the PP-220a hubs, and there’s a variety of ways to accomplish it, but other than that Pioneer remains one of the most under recognized Masters of RTR Technology in Vintage audio. If you find one in good shape, grab it and growl!

Reviewed Sep 06th, 2017 by soimmvt

I’ve had several R to R’s and this Pioneer is my favourite! Why? First of all it has a is beautiful design. OK, I like the akai’s as well (especially the 635d) I really like the shiny faceplate, blue meters and ease of use. Secondly, the built quality is astounding. It works and feels like a tank, yet elegant. Last but not least…The sound….

I bought mine with wornout pinchrollers and capstanbelt,replaced them and viola…music!

Reviewed Dec 30th, 2015 by gkpjxb

I’ve recently unboxed the Pioneer RT-909 that I bought new back in the 1980’s. I’ve had this RTR stored for about 30 years. I pull the Roller’s off, which look to be hardened a bit, and sent both to Terry Witt for new rubber. a The outside of current belt looks like it’s turned to a black goo, I have a replacement belt coming for replacement.
As this thing has been unused for such a long time, what other issues should I be aware of that need to be addressed?

I’m sure that any lube/grease has stiffened, but I have no idea where the greased locations may be or how to remove the old and apply the new or what type of lube to use.

As I sure that there a way more knowledgable people on this forum the myself about these units, I could sure use some help.

Thank you for your consideration.

Reviewed May 04th, 2014 by volkstony

i have to say i got the deal of the century. i just picked up my 909 for $15 from a thrift store!! 2 years ago i paid $20 for my 707 go figure 🙂

Reviewed Dec 28th, 2013 by The66News

The low end bass response of the RT909 does beat out Akai’s GX747 and Teac’s X2000R both by quite a margin, considering your equalizer and speaker are rated to pick up lows that low, and did NOT have any distortion either at that low a frequency, so this unit has the lowest lows of all the reel units I’ve had here, the highs are GOOD too. I do not know why Pioneer didn’t keep going on with their reel technology and add EE and DBX to their unit but it was selling SO well they didn’t bother with that and kept selling up to 1984 like the rest of them did. These are wonderful units but the only real problem to look for would be the IC’s in them which can cause the Fluroscan to have missing digits and not work at all, aside of that one problem I like the sound quality of this unit and mine is a keeper!

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