The famous Pioneer RT-NNN DVDs

[jbrose]

Hello Tape Lovers!

A few years ago a gentleman made and sold on Ebay a set of "how to" DVDs documenting his rebuilds of 707s and 909s.

I understand the gentleman passed away a couple years ago and I have not seen these DVDs available in the last couple years on the bay.

Anyone know if these are archived or available anywhere?

Sorry if this has been discussed on another thread I searched and could not find anything.

I own two 909s and two 707s that are in need of service. I am retired now and finally have the time to work on these but I am just an amateur.
LT

 

[jbrose]

here is a short youtube he made as a sample:

 

[hertzdonut]

Hi Ken, welcome to AK!

While I can’t help you with the videos, have you seen the Restore thread posted by Rabbi Rich? Quite complete, walks you through the process. Rich knows his stuff. https://audiokarma.org/forums/index...ioneer-rt-909-reel-to-reel.93227/#post-940167

Good luck, the 909 is worth the effort!

- Jeff

 

[oldvinyldude]

I bought his restoration service-might have been his last one. I got the DVD's in the deal, and watched them. There is a lot of useful information, but they are not a full restoration information source. I can't remember where I put them now. I am now the owner of Rich's 'never sell' RT909, so I have little need for the videos, as the unit was completely restored.

I have also read many of Rich's restoration threads, including the RT909 one. They are excellent, and a better "how to", by far, than the videos. I would use them to address the mechanical issues first, and once you have a solid transport, you can decide if the electronic issues warrant recapping, cleaning and remounting of power transistors, etc. Fortunately, at this point, there are relatively few reports of electronic component failure issues, on the Pioneer units, unlike say, Akai transistors, for example.

 

[jbrose]

@Jeff,
Thank you I did see those and will make use of them!

 

[jbrose]

@oldvinyldude
Well you are one smart - and lucky - dude to get a unit rebuilt by a master.
I am not an EE, just learned a bit of e-theory online at Udemy etc. and have no experience at all working on tape machines. But I did collect two RT-909s and two RT-707s (that have mostly been sitting in storage for a few years now).
I did pull out one of the 909s about a year ago, powered it up with a variac on slow voltage increase for about 16 hours, stuck on a tape and it sounded absolutely great.

If you do come across those DVDs and want to sell a copy, let us know!
thanks,
(old OTL amp dude)