Pioneer RT 71

The Pioneer RT‑71 is a mid‑1970s, consumer‑oriented auto‑reverse stereo reel‑to‑reel deck built around a single‑motor, belt‑drive transport and 4‑track head system, designed for easy home use rather than studio work.

Basic format and transport

• Quarter‑inch tape, 4‑track, 2‑channel stereo format, allowing both directions of the tape to be used in stereo.

• Auto‑reverse for both recording and playback via a center‑capstan, symmetrical head layout; direction change is triggered by sensing foil at the tape end and is very fast (about 0.5 s).

• One hysteresis‑synchronous AC motor drives both capstan and reels via belts in a “center capstan” all‑belt‑drive mechanism, prioritizing smooth motion over brute‑force torque.

• Fast wind time is roughly 110 seconds for a 370 m (about 1200 ft) reel, which is typical for a domestic deck of its size.

Tape handling and speeds

• Speeds: 9.5 and 19 cm/s (3¾ and 7½ ips), the classic hi‑fi pair for consumer machines.

• Maximum reel size is 18 cm (7‑inch), so the RT‑71 is a “7‑inch‑only” machine, unlike later RT‑901/909 10.5‑inch decks.

• Pioneer’s “center‑capstan symmetrical mechanism” and self‑aligning pinch‑roller design are intended to keep tape path geometry consistent in both directions and avoid skew or uneven pressure.

Head system and electronics

• Four heads total: two 4‑track stereo record/play heads (one for each direction) plus two 4‑track stereo erase heads, enabling full auto‑reverse record and playback.

• Solid‑state electronics, NAB equalization, line‑level RCA outputs, and DIN recording connector to suit both international and European system wiring.

• Head material is listed as permalloy, a common choice in mid‑grade hi‑fi decks of the era.​

Performance figures

• Frequency response at 19 cm/s: typically quoted as 30 Hz–20 kHz, with ±2 dB over 50 Hz–15 kHz, which is competitive for a consumer 7‑inch machine.

• Wow and flutter: about 0.10% RMS and 0.05% WRMS at 19 cm/s, reflecting the limitations of single‑motor belt‑drive but still decent for home hi‑fi.

• Signal‑to‑noise ratio: around 56 dB with LH (low‑noise, high‑output) tape, slightly lower with “general” tape formulations.

• Typical distortion figures are around 1–1.2% depending on tape type.

Controls, connectivity, and ergonomics

• Front‑panel features: tape selector (LH/general), pause lever, playback level controls, and a four‑digit mechanical tape counter, plus hinged head cover for easy threading and cleaning.

• Inputs: microphone (approx. 0.3 mV to 240 mV at 50 kΩ) and line (around 30 mV to 24 V at 330 kΩ), making it flexible with both consumer sources and mics of the period.​

• Outputs: roughly 0.775 V line out at 0 VU reference, plus a stereo headphone jack rated for 8‑ohm loads.​

Physical details and market positioning

• Dimensions: roughly 427–437 mm (W) × 434 mm (H) × 182 mm (D), with a net weight around 13–13.5 kg, often supplied with an acrylic dust cover and optional branded metal reels (PR‑80).

• Power: about 55 W from 100 V AC in the Japanese domestic version; export versions provide multi‑voltage (110–120 V, 220–240 V).

• Production dates cluster around 1972–1973, placing it just before Pioneer’s later direct‑drive, three‑motor RT‑701/707 generation; contemporary pricing around 79,500 yen or 1,800 DM put it in the upper mid‑fi bracket.

In practical terms for an audiophile: the RT‑71 is a well‑equipped, full auto‑reverse 7‑inch deck with respectable hi‑fi performance, single‑motor belt‑drive simplicity, and classic early‑’70s Pioneer ergonomics—ideal for domestic listening and long background‑music reels, but not aimed at mastering‑grade work or 10.5‑inch archival use.