Pioneer CT-S 640 S

Data

Pioneer Stereo Cassette Deck CT-S640S

General:

• Manufacturer: Pioneer
• Model: CT-S 640 S
• Type: Single
• Years of manufacture: 1995-97
• Made in: Japan
• Color: Black, Champagne
• Remote control: No. Can be remotely controlled in the system
• Power consumption: 220- 230 V, 50/ 60 Hz, 23 Watt (Europe), Standby: 10 W
• Dimensions: 420 x 125 x 280 mm (WxHxD)
• Weight: 4.1 Kg
• Original price approx.: 700 DM (in black), 750 DM (champagne)

Connections:

• Number of inputs: 2

Line: 100 mV, 23 kohm

• • Pioneer system jack 3.5 mm
• Number of outputs: 3
  • Line: 0.5 V, 1.9 kohm
  • Phones: 1.4 mV, 32 ohm
  • Pioneer system jack 3.5 mm

Technical data:

• Sound heads: 3
• Motors: 3, Reel 1x, Capstan 1x servo motor, auxiliary motor 1x
• Synchronisation fluctuations: 0.05 % (WRMS, JIS), 0.095 % (2-Sigma- evaluation, see Stereoplay 10/95, p.69)
• Band types: I, II, IV
• Frequency response -20 dB:
  • Normal I: 20 - 19,000 Hz.
  • Chrome II: 20 - 19,000 Hz
  • Metal IV: 20 - 25,000 Hz
• Distortion factor: 0.6
• Rewind time: 90 s (C-60)
• Auto Reverse: No
• Title search: Yes, up to 16 titles
• Dolby: B, C and Dolby S
• Signal to noise ratio: 59 dB (Dolby off)
• Noise reduction effect (5 khz):
  • with Dolby B: +10 dB
  • with Dolby C: +19 dB
  • with Dolby S: +22 dB
• Bass and treble dynamics: Chrome: 57 dB/ 54 dB, Metal: 61.5 dB / 58 dB (Ang. according to Stereoplay 10/95, p.69)
• HX-Pro: yes
• MPX filter: yes
• Fader: No
• Pitch control: No
• CD synchro recording: Yes

Special Features:

• FLEX (Frequency Level Expander): treble boost for older, dull bands (not adjustable).
• Automatic band calibration with 4 measuring points (Super Auto BLE XD)
• Dolby Noise Reduction B, C and Dolby S
• Dolby HX Pro

Single Capstan Drive

• Title search up to 16 titles
• Automatic tape type setting
• 3 audio heads
• Rear tape control
• 3 motors
• Motor-driven cassette compartment
• CD synchronous recording option
• Timer function
• Headphone jack 6.3 mm, output not adjustable
• 4-digit counter linear/ real time
• Display can be switched off
• "Meter Range" - setting for more precise tuning of the recording display (spreadable level during recording)
• remote controllable in the system with Pioneer amplifiers / receivers
• The frequency response of the CT-640S, 550S and 740S is up to 25,000 Hz in order to reproduce treble frequencies as accurately as possible (!)
• The unit is in standby at "Power Off" and consumes power. A red dot on the switch lights up

Notes

Other models in the same series:

• CT-S 440 S
• CT-S 540 S
• CT-S 640 S
• CT-S 740 S

Previous model: CT-S 630 S

Successor model: none.

Largely identical is the CT-S 550 S, which was released 1 year later, but had 2 Dolby S chips less (rear band control without Dolby S) and whose retail price was 150 DM lower. Drive, equipment and exterior are otherwise the same. Both units had the same manual at times. The CT-S 550 S was built until about 1999.

The drive was not made by Pioneer, but by ALPS (like the drive of the Denon DRM-650S).

Pictures

Reviews

• Stereoplay 10/1995: Top class II, price-performance ratio: very good. Overall rating: "Sensibly equipped Dolby S- recorder with very good sound characteristics."
• Stereo 11/1995: 1 star, good. "Natural sound even with two-layer tapes - simple drive mechanism."
• Reports from the Pioneer CT-S 550 S can be consulted because of the largely identical construction, see Pioneer CT-S 550 S.