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The immersive science of Audio Equipment, brought to you by {name}

Ariel Cabello

The device was professionally renovated in June 2025, during which the motor, motor control electronics, and the entire belt path were maintained. Factory-identical drive belts were installed. It was fully calibrated and checked during a long-term test.
It will be shipped carefully packaged!
If required, I can send a high-resolution video recording that I recorded during the test.

"Here is a Dolby B/C/HX Pro triple header, supplied with remote control. Off tape monitoring is supplemented by Pioneer’s now familiar Super Auto BLE (bias, level, equalisation) circuit which aligns the machine for the current tape within about 12 seconds, You also get good quality meters and a quiet running deck of real quality. However, inside lurks a conventional single capstan mechanism, not the Slant mechanism used in Pioneer’s upmarket models.

Pioneer has a strong record of innovation; the CT-S520 includes a circuit called FLEX (Frequency Level EXpander) which examines the spectrum of a recording on replay and boots the treble content If the HF output is too low. This could be the case when playing a recording made from AM radio, when using an old tape or one recorded on a deck with different head azimuth. The adjustment is made ‘intelligently’ using a 3-bit microprocessor to control the parameters of a feedback loop according to its analysis of the spectrum and recent history of the music signal.

Sound quality

Although the Super Auto BLE tape alignment system produced objectively accurate results when tested (see Laboratory Report), it failed to produce recordings which sounded much like the originals. While parts of Handel’s Music for Royal Occasion had breadth and grace enough to make the hairs on the back of the neck stand on end, a copy made on TDK MA-X with Dolby C was curiously lifeless.

The situation was not improved with Dolby B or lower bias tapes, but there was a significant improvement when Dolby noise reduction was switched off altogether. With certain types of music (like heavy rock) this is acceptable, but in practice Dolby B is a minimum requirement.

With an office full of old tapes, some of which are well down in the treble, FLEX was often very effective, giving a touch of brilliance and presence missing from what was otherwise a tired old sound.

Conclusion

Although the Pioneer wasn’t strictly faithful to the source, it remained smooth and engaging, with a high level of pitch integrity, a warm, controlled bass and a midband that offered great depth and, on occasion, insight. FLEX adds to the attraction, and the CT-S520 is recommended."


Audio-cassette deck

Pioneer - CT-S520 Audio-cassette deck

Audio Equipment

Reserve price

No reserve price

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Closing date

27 April

Thursday

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tomorrow

Friday

Saturday

28 April

Location

The Netherlands

Italy

France

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Spain

Germany

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Portugal

Poland

Romania

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Finland

Greece

Hong Kong

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Bang & Olufsen

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Object

Speaker set

Solid state integrated amplifier

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Solid state stereo receiver

CD player

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Cassette recorder-player

Speaker

Solid state amplifier

Solid state multi-channel receiver

Radio

Headphone

Tube radio

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Stereo set

Equalizer

Tuner

Subwoofer speaker set

Audio amplifier

Reel to reel deck 18 cm

Portable radio

Minidisc deck

Solid state power amplifier

Country of origin

United Kingdom

Taiwan

Europe

Material

Plastic

Metal

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Condition

Good

Excellent

Very good

Mint

Various conditions

Good condition - used with small signs of ageing

Excellent (EX)

Very Good Plus (VG+)

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Mint (M)

Mint & Sealed (M&S)

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Excellent condition: barely used with minimal signs of wear

Extras

No extra's

Power cord

Remote control

+ Extra item (see description)

Power supply

Case

Original user manual

No cables

Power Adapter

Brochures

Refurbished

Flight Case

+extra item (see description)

Anti-pop Filter

Microphone Shock Mount

In original box

unboxed

Period

2010-2020

1980-1990

1990-2000

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2020+

Style

Vintage

Scandinavian design

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Genre

Classical

Colour

Black

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Tested and working

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1900-2000

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1400-1900

Record Label

Unknown label

Creator

Marco Zanuso

Richard Sapper

Philippe Starck

Japan & Related

Mario Bellini

Dieter Rams

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Maxell - DAT Tapes - DM90 DAT - digital audio tape

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Pioneer - CT-S520 Audio-cassette deck

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