The Weather Wolf
The Weather Wolf
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Pioneer CT-970 - Reviving a Forgotten Flagship Cassette Deck
Today I'm going to attempt to resurrect my example of Pioneer's most under the radar top of the line three head cassette deck, the Japanese market exclusive CT-970. This is a ridiculously complicated machine from 1981 that promises to be a real handful to service and it's very likely I'll be into it for more than one video. Let's get it going and find out.
This is usually the cheapest quartz locked dual capstan direct drive Pioneer you can find. All of the others are often considerably more expensive.
Idler required: 11.5mm x 16.5mm x 2.8mm (Akai GX-95 idler can work)
Capstan belt: FRSP8.97 (228mm IC)
Take-up sensor belt: 60mm IC x 0.7mm
Supply sensor belt: 120mm IC x 0.7mm
Music:
catsystemcorp.bandcamp.com/
diskettepark.bandcamp.com
Facebook: theweatherwolf
Insta: oklawolf
My Favorite 5 Cassette Decks for Sound Quality:
1 - JVC TD-V931
2 - A&D GX-Z9100
3 - Aiwa XK-007 / Carver TD-1700m (tie)
4 - Sony TC-K666ES
5 - Denon DR-M3 w/ UKZ Caps
0:00:00 - Intro
0:05:28 - Transport removal
0:19:07 - Capstan motor service
0:35:27 - Checking capstan motor coils, motor board recap
0:39:12 - Microscope shots of the heads
0:41:17 - Replacing shut-off belts and idler
1:06:22 - Does it work?
Переглядів: 1 603

Відео

Pioneer CT-970 Recording Test
Переглядів 914 години тому
Does it record? Yes, it does. This is the deck's recording quality immediately after the initial service. Currently measures at 0.06% wow and flutter - needs work yet. Capture conditions: Steinberg UR22 @ 48kHz for audio in/out, Sony Metal SR, no noise reduction. Music: Frite, Fromage, Sauce - Je suis comme un 動物 Support the artist at fritefromagesauce.bandcamp.com This video is intentionally n...
Simmie, Saskatchewan - A Short Walking Tour
Переглядів 18312 годин тому
Simmie, SK, is a hamlet that is located southwest of the city of Swift Current. There's not too much left of the town these days, but there's still something to see here. Let's have a quick look.
Onkyo MD-105AX Minidisc Won't Eject | GX-R88 Update
Переглядів 82121 годину тому
Almost half a year ago, I decided to import two Minidisc decks from Japan for cheap so I could get a break from cassette decks over December. Long story short, thanks to the postal strike they are very late to the party but we'll work on one of them today. The other one is already fully working. This Onkyo MD-105AX won't eject any discs. Can I fix it? Facebook: theweatherwolf Insta...
Shaunavon Saskatchewan Boomtown Days 2024
Переглядів 166День тому
Exploring the small town of Shaunavon, SK, on one of the busiest days of the year. We'll start with a few scenes of the parade, explore the town, and check out the strongman competition.
Akai GX-R88 Cassette Deck Part 1 - Display Fix and Transport Removal
Переглядів 1,1 тис.14 днів тому
The Akai GX-R88 is one of the more complicated auto reverse tape decks you can buy, featuring auto calibration and a double direct drive capstan motor system, so I'm splitting this into multiple parts to keep myself from stressing out. In this part, we'll try to find out what's causing the display to go out, replace the erase head switching relay, and remove the transport for servicing in the n...
Eastend Saskatchewan Walking Tour and Car Show
Переглядів 16114 днів тому
Today I'm moseying my way through the small town of Eastend, Saskatchewan, future home of Eastend Scenic Railway Tours. It was incredibly hot that day, so this was limited to a walk down Railway Street to check out the grain elevators, north along Maple Avenue, and then east down Redcoat Drive to see some of the local businesses. The Excellerators Car Club was putting on a show in front of Jack...
Yamaha KX-1000 Update and Plans | 4 Cassette Decks Diagnosed
Переглядів 1,1 тис.21 день тому
I don't have time to get much else ready for this video, so here's an update on the Yamaha KX-1000 and my future plans for that deck. We'll also take a look at four of the decks that haven't been diagnosed yet and see what's wrong with them. One of these is a brand that has never been on the channel before. Facebook: theweatherwolf Insta: oklawolf My Favorite 5 Casse...
Ghost Town - Hallonquist, Saskatchewan
Переглядів 13621 день тому
Documenting the status of the town as of July 2024.
Yamaha KX-1000 Resurrection - You Can't Win Them All
Переглядів 1,8 тис.28 днів тому
As promised, we're going to get this well worn Yamaha flagship cassette deck going again whether it wants to live or not. This deck has seen a lot of use in its day and I'm not sure it's going to end up being worth it. But let's just give it a chance and see how it does. Capstan Belt - FRSP9.6 Backtension belt - 80mm IC x 1mm square Idler - Fix Your Audio Music - Frite, Fromage, Sauce Support t...
Unboxing a Hitachi D-980M Cassette Deck From 1979
Переглядів 2,5 тис.Місяць тому
One of the brands I wanted to focus on more in 2025 is Hitachi, so I recently bought this direct drive three head beast to see what their top models were capable of. I also had something else shipped with it, as Canada Post was still on strike at the time. We'll take a look at that device as well. I haven't played with a Hitachi since the Sansui D-905R (aka Hitachi D-X8), so I'm excited to see ...
Diagnosing a Mystery TOTL Cassette Deck in Very Bad Shape
Переглядів 1,3 тис.Місяць тому
There are several cassette deck brands that have not been on my channel yet. This is one of them, and is apparently the best sounding deck this brand ever made. Well... maybe not this example. I think I may have gotten burned on this one. It's in TERRIBLE shape. Let's find out what's wrong with this one, and then we'll come back and fix it in the next week or so. Facebook: theweath...
Optonica RT-6405 - The Nightmare Before Christmas
Переглядів 1,9 тис.Місяць тому
In which I find out the hard way that just because a tape deck has only two heads, it doesn't mean repairs are going to be easy. This is a deceptively complicated transport to get right, and this video is proof. I strongly suggest that this should not be your first choice in decks if you're new to doing this type of thing. Pinch roller: 13.5mm x 8mm x 2mm Mode belt: 1.2mm square x 98mm IC Reel ...
Seekone SDL-996S and Aoyue Int701A++ Solder Station Evaluation
Переглядів 489Місяць тому
My cheap solder station decided to burn out the ceramic iron element in the middle of a job a while back. Since I had already been planning replacement within the next six months, I decided that rather than attempt to fix the old one I would just move up my plans. This did not go smoothly - the retailer initially sent the wrong Aoyue station. So I bought another as backup, the Seekone from Amaz...
Aiwa AD-WX808 Service Ends Poorly
Переглядів 1,5 тис.Місяць тому
You're about to find out why I don't like working on auto-reverse decks. The supplemental Aiwa X-3 mech service manual is REQUIRED for anything beyond a simple belt change in this deck. You will not get those gears back in properly without it. Find it by searching "aiwa_x-3_mech_supp_87-040.pdf at Elektrotanya. Capstan belts: Fix Your Audio 70mm dia (220mm IC) x 4mm. Auto reverse gears are avai...
Denon DR-M3 Record Amp Diagnosis | Pioneer CT-F615 Meter Fix
Переглядів 1,1 тис.2 місяці тому
Denon DR-M3 Record Amp Diagnosis | Pioneer CT-F615 Meter Fix
Akai GXC-46D Cassette Deck - The Oldest One I've Serviced Yet
Переглядів 3,8 тис.2 місяці тому
Akai GXC-46D Cassette Deck - The Oldest One I've Serviced Yet
Evaluating 7 More Old Tape Decks | Another Possible Nak Killer
Переглядів 2,6 тис.2 місяці тому
Evaluating 7 More Old Tape Decks | Another Possible Nak Killer
JVC Victor DD-99 Wow and Flutter - How Good is It Really?
Переглядів 9752 місяці тому
JVC Victor DD-99 Wow and Flutter - How Good is It Really?
Teac V-770 Cassette Deck Service
Переглядів 1,4 тис.3 місяці тому
Teac V-770 Cassette Deck Service
Sony TC-K666ES Part 3 - Will This Nightmare Ever END?
Переглядів 3,5 тис.3 місяці тому
Sony TC-K666ES Part 3 - Will This Nightmare Ever END?
JVC Victor DD-99 Part 2 - Finishing Up
Переглядів 1,4 тис.3 місяці тому
JVC Victor DD-99 Part 2 - Finishing Up
JVC Victor DD-99 Part 1 - Transport Service Nightmare
Переглядів 2 тис.3 місяці тому
JVC Victor DD-99 Part 1 - Transport Service Nightmare
JVC Victor XU-D400 Mk II - Mode Switch Cleaning
Переглядів 4313 місяці тому
JVC Victor XU-D400 Mk II - Mode Switch Cleaning
JVC Victor XU-D400 Mk II Revisited - Can I Get the MD Drive Working?
Переглядів 1,1 тис.3 місяці тому
JVC Victor XU-D400 Mk II Revisited - Can I Get the MD Drive Working?
Pioneer CT-F615 Resurrection
Переглядів 3 тис.4 місяці тому
Pioneer CT-F615 Resurrection
JVC Victor TD-V931 - This Flagship Tape Deck Needs Help
Переглядів 4,2 тис.4 місяці тому
JVC Victor TD-V931 - This Flagship Tape Deck Needs Help
One Dollar Onkyo TX-SR508 Receiver - Won't Come Out of Protection
Переглядів 11 тис.4 місяці тому
One Dollar Onkyo TX-SR508 Receiver - Won't Come Out of Protection
Looking Through a Japanese Audio Magazine from 1983
Переглядів 8004 місяці тому
Looking Through a Japanese Audio Magazine from 1983
Sony TC-K666ES Part 2 - This Deck Has Chosen War
Переглядів 3,2 тис.4 місяці тому
Sony TC-K666ES Part 2 - This Deck Has Chosen War

КОМЕНТАРІ

  • @LT.tapeheads.service
    @LT.tapeheads.service Годину тому

    Its a beast!

  • @johnkendrick7304
    @johnkendrick7304 4 години тому

    I cannot believe you are using any kind of lubricant on something that you should be using isopropyl alcohol or something that does not let it be slippery? I think that's a huge mistake

  • @z1power
    @z1power 8 годин тому

    Thanks for taking the time to make these videos, very informative for when I attempt to make similar repairs

  • @kjb76-Ffm
    @kjb76-Ffm 15 годин тому

    awesome machine

  • @adaboy4z
    @adaboy4z 15 годин тому

    Well done, Good looking deck all lit up!!

  • @ismaelnavarro9589
    @ismaelnavarro9589 18 годин тому

    Bonito mecanismo!.

  • @thomasschafer7268
    @thomasschafer7268 21 годину тому

    My first stereo system. Had all in 7. A7.f7.ct7r. Pl7. Very good quality and long life. 👍👍🇩🇪

  • @MatthewBrannigan
    @MatthewBrannigan День тому

    I just love this Pioneer - it's just a lovely looking deck with a performance to match, thank you for resurrecting it!

  • @waltercarpenito1737
    @waltercarpenito1737 День тому

    2000 dollars on ebay today plus s=h tax

  • @mr.nobody5422
    @mr.nobody5422 День тому

    Very cool tape direction lighting.

  • @newtronix
    @newtronix День тому

    It sounds a bit dull?

    • @Oklawolf
      @Oklawolf День тому

      I forgot to demagnetize the heads before finishing the video. Tomorrow's recording test video of this deck is after demagnetizing. Heads seem to be in good shape on this deck.

    • @newtronix
      @newtronix День тому

      @@Oklawolf Cool I'll check back

  • @randolphblack2554
    @randolphblack2554 День тому

    A very good video, sir. Reducing your stress by doing things in stages is a good idea. Keep up the good work!

  • @lachlanlau
    @lachlanlau День тому

    Those LED indicators for the tape movement are mesmerising

  • @Oklawolf
    @Oklawolf День тому

    I've now recapped the power supply. This deck was full of old "Marcon" capacitors in the PS, and four of them were less than half their rated capacitance. I found the same thing in the power supply of the Akai GX-R88, so any Marcon capacitors I find from here on out are on my insta-change list. I have yet to find a worse capacitor brand inside these old tape decks.

  • @humphrey2108
    @humphrey2108 День тому

    Thank you for all your videos. I am currently restoring an HMK7000 music centre that shares the same transport mechanism as the one in this unit. I had the same problem with the clutch. I took the rare earth magnets out of a 2.5" hard drive which were extremely thin. I broke them up into pieces and stuck them to the back of the clutch magnet. Works a treat. Just add or subtract pieces as you need to get the required torque. I did remove the lid to the pully magnet but the magnetism holds it together so it works fine without it. I did not pull the magnet off the shaft to remove the cover. I just cut the lid of the pully up with wire cutters. It is a soft metal so it was easy.

  • @ingenfestbrems
    @ingenfestbrems День тому

    Actually it’s February 😂

    • @Oklawolf
      @Oklawolf День тому

      The video was shot two weeks ago ;)

    • @ingenfestbrems
      @ingenfestbrems 20 годин тому

      @@Oklawolf uploaded when? 😸

  • @LT.tapeheads.service
    @LT.tapeheads.service 2 дні тому

    Damn! I love this device... and tape transport is build solid... Nice job of reviving it, looking forward for full service. Cheers mate!

    • @Oklawolf
      @Oklawolf День тому

      I like it more than the CT-F900 in almost every way. It’s a very heavy device.

    • @lachlanlau
      @lachlanlau День тому

      ​@Oklawolf aren't those decks all wire wrapped? What a pain to work on..

    • @Oklawolf
      @Oklawolf День тому

      Yes indeed. This deck is like a hodgepodge of different random connectors, so I don't know why they thought they had to wire wrap things too.

  • @user-mv5bu2kk8b
    @user-mv5bu2kk8b 2 дні тому

    Noce looking deck

  • @sksaleem2342
    @sksaleem2342 2 дні тому

    Hi

  • @Terry.W
    @Terry.W 3 дні тому

    Pleasant journey..

  • @ssnoc
    @ssnoc 3 дні тому

    That black button thing that fell out is for the cassette door tin back plate on my Onkyo - probably the same on the Nak.

  • @asbcustom
    @asbcustom 4 дні тому

    If only those walls in the Simmie Hotel could talk. Oh Canada!

  • @catalinIntimidatorul
    @catalinIntimidatorul 4 дні тому

    Send it to " 12voltvids" ! He can fix anything! Lool for the channel " 12voltvids"

  • @ssnoc
    @ssnoc 4 дні тому

    Gotta have those dual capstans if you want low W&F - I’ve rebuilt many 2 head decks with 1 capstan and although they perform well, their numbers are never great. Even did a 3 head but with only 1 capstan and that too never gave very low W&F under 0.05 which is still very good, but not awesome. This is a great deck has everything it needs to be a top performer. You make great videos 👍

  • @LSmiata
    @LSmiata 6 днів тому

    No worries on using 120/125 AC vs Japan 100v A/C? I avoid Japanese audio unless I need parts. I do mainly DC circuits, but nearly the same. Why is USA voltage listed as 110/120 and goes to 125.x when measured? Please advise.

    • @Oklawolf
      @Oklawolf 5 днів тому

      It hasn't been a problem yet for these two MD decks. The Denon ran for 3 hours last week and I have verified that nothing in the deck is running anywhere near the red zone. However, I always caution people that this is something you try at your own risk, and if worried about it just use a step down transformer.

  • @Abruzzo333
    @Abruzzo333 7 днів тому

    Where is the back tension belts on the BX-150....or does it not have one?

    • @Oklawolf
      @Oklawolf 7 днів тому

      There was no backtension belt in this one.

    • @Abruzzo333
      @Abruzzo333 7 днів тому

      @@Oklawolf Thanks, I just opened mine up to put some belt revitalizer on the Idler tyre and noticed there was no back tension belt on mine either. I've only seen videos on the BX-300 and BX-100....both of which have belts accessible from behind the front plate.

  • @ChillToMusic87
    @ChillToMusic87 7 днів тому

    Onky o 😄👍🏼

  • @LSmiata
    @LSmiata 8 днів тому

    Very much enjoyed video as I am trying to repair an MXD-D3. insert/eject works but TOC and read do not. Thinking dirty lens, but inside very clean. PS: How do you have a JIS and Phillips screw driver w.o changing bits. Very different and JIS for working on Japanese equipment is very much needed. cheers and thanks again for posting a detailed video on MD's

    • @Oklawolf
      @Oklawolf 5 днів тому

      Many modern Phillips drivers are both JIS and Phillips compliant - this is the case for all my Vessel drivers.

  • @markgiles1239
    @markgiles1239 8 днів тому

    I have a Sony MD-JA50ES. ALL METAL; 15KG. UNFORTUNATELY, MY 77 YEAR OLD FINGERS AND EYES HAVE FAILED ME AND I'M DIVESTING MYSELF OF A VARIETY OF 3-HEAD HIGH-END CASSETTE DECKS, INCLUDING TWO AIWA XK-S7000 DECKS IN NEAR PERFECT SHAPE, WITH MINOR ISSUES. SO I HAVE AN OFFER OUT TO EITHER YOU OR "HAPPY HANDICAPPED": I SHIP THE TWO DECKS TO YOU. YOU FIX ONE (HOPEFULLY ON AIR) TO RETURN TO ME. YOU KEEP THE OTHER FOR YOURSELF. THESE ARE, OF COURSE, THE REAL DRAGON SLAYERS: DOLBY S, SUPERB SPECS, DIGITAL IN. THIS OFFER IS BASICALLY, GRATIS. FREE. SANS BUCKS. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR ALL THE HOURS OF INFO AND ENTERTAINMENT SO HERE'S A WAY TO DO IT. I HAVE OTHER GOODIES AS WELL: TC--K333ESA SILVER, TC-K555 CLASSIC SILVER, XK-007 AND 005, AKAI GX-9000 AND GX-6100. H-K, DENON, AND SO ON. ALL FOR THE SAME KIND OF DEAL. I'M CLEANING OUT THE DINING ROOM; MY BABY SAYS IT ALL MUST GO! THESE OFFERS ARE ONLY FOR THE TWO OF YOU. I AM MARK GILES VASHON ISLAND, WA

  • @chrislee6650
    @chrislee6650 8 днів тому

    No carrier company takes any notice of stickers saying "Fraglie".

  • @mixamc9797
    @mixamc9797 8 днів тому

    It's the eject/load motor 'dead spot'aka dirty comutator ,same as cam motor/reel motor in tape decks.

  • @spooln30
    @spooln30 8 днів тому

    Curious what MolyKote you like to use?

    • @Oklawolf
      @Oklawolf 8 днів тому

      EM-30L

    • @spooln30
      @spooln30 8 днів тому

      @@Oklawolf Appreciate the info!

  • @Dutch-linux
    @Dutch-linux 9 днів тому

    I want that DENON deck... what a beutiful machine sleek and sexy... will it run on 240 volts ?

    • @Oklawolf
      @Oklawolf 9 днів тому

      This particular one is 100V but the deck is also known as the DR-330 outside Japan. Maybe look for that version.

    • @Dutch-linux
      @Dutch-linux 8 днів тому

      @@Oklawolf thank you

  • @LT.tapeheads.service
    @LT.tapeheads.service 9 днів тому

    Congrats mate! those are quite good md players actually. Cheers!

  • @thewindowsxp32
    @thewindowsxp32 9 днів тому

    Hi I just picked up one excuse me for my lack of knowledge on them. From what I have read an infinity ii, with the push button equalizer not slider. Everything seems to work but I may have made a mistake when buying this because it is going into a pickup that is a non infinity system 85 ram. Everything boots up on it and it will search stations but I get no sound. My speakers will pop when turning the unit on but no sound will come out on a station. I know the speakers are fine because I have a non infinity later probably 2000 3 channel eq radio. That will engage my speakers fine is there some issue with it being an infinity head unit that is causing me to have no sound out of my speakers maybe something within the pin connectors that isnt the same as a non infinity system? Thanks

    • @Oklawolf
      @Oklawolf 8 днів тому

      Shouldn't matter - the Infinity versions still have amplifiers in them. More likely the deck you have is full of bad solder joints - the Mitsubishi built ones are all prone to that.

    • @thewindowsxp32
      @thewindowsxp32 5 днів тому

      @@Oklawolf I appreciate the advice I did a little more research and found out that the model I bought is considered the most unreliable and hardest to fix I got it all apart down to the main board and did some resoldering and was unable to fix the issue only was able to fix an intermittent power issue on it. Still no sound from the speakers unfortunately.

  • @asbcustom
    @asbcustom 10 днів тому

    What an absolutely wonderful town. Thank you for the tour.

  • @johnny7254
    @johnny7254 11 днів тому

    Maybe I missed one or two, but I don't think I heard any "so.. yeah"s in this video. Impressive -- habits are tough to break.

  • @mortenrolsing7137
    @mortenrolsing7137 11 днів тому

    Nice video, thanks. I believe you are doing great, just keep on working on the project. I would look at at set of MJE15032 / MJE15033 or MJE13034 / MJE15035 to replace the 2SA1930 / 2SC5171. For The 2SC1740, i would try the 2SC2274F, 2SC1213AD or maby 2SC1815GR / 2SC1815BL. Hope to see you succeed :-)

  • @bob-s-bit-s
    @bob-s-bit-s 12 днів тому

    hi them test tapes don't work well on the tascam master tape 2 4 6 8 formats i have a full track test tape to get the levels the speed test tapes are set at 1 7/8 ips i have a full track head so i made some 3 3/4 ips tapes i have a jazzed otari mtr 12 re tenson bc motors very fine and alot of the pro's do this jazz up decks to do jobs nice deck you have alot are after them now

  • @infinetic
    @infinetic 13 днів тому

    The unintentional ASMR in your videos is better than deliberate AMSR :)

  • @PopPop017
    @PopPop017 13 днів тому

    I have the DD-7, it’s fantastic! I also have a BX-300, also great, one thing I would note, when cleaning any of these vintage units, I’ve used goof off, go figure with micro fibre , the Nak was mint except for mould spots all over which I thought was grime, oil, nope mold, would not come off with anything else, goof off was last cleaner I had and it worked, couple of cleanings and it worked, be gentle of course