Pioneer CT 4040E (c. 1975)
A stereo cassette deck from Pioneer with Dolby B noise reduction and solid permalloy heads, priced at ¥47,800 around 1975.
Overview
The Pioneer CT-4040E is a compact stereo cassette deck released around 1975. It features Dolby B-type noise reduction, independent level controls for recording and playback, and a tape selector switch that adjusts bias and equalization for normal or chrome tapes. Designed for both line and microphone inputs, it includes a peak indicator using an LED and an overlevel limiter to prevent distortion during recording. The deck supports C-30 through C-120 tapes, including low-noise and chrome formulations.
Specifications
| Product type | Compact cassette deck / Stereo cassette deck |
| Recording system | AC bias, 85 kHz |
| Erasing method | AC push-pull system |
| Heads | Recording and Playback : Permalloy Solid, Erasing : ferrites |
| Motor | Electronically controlled DC motor / Electronic governor type DC motor |
| Quick winding speed | About 80 seconds (at C-60) |
| Wow & Flutter | 0.12% or less (WRMS) |
| Frequency Response | General LH Tape : 30 Hz ~ 12.5 kHz, 63 Hz ~ 10 kHz ± 3 dB, Chrome Tape : 30 Hz ~ 15 kHz, 63 Hz ~ 12 kHz ± 3 dB |
| S/N | Dolby off : 49 dB (general, LH tape), Dolby on : 59 dB (General, LH Tape, 5 kHz or higher) |
| S/N improvement with chrome tape | When using chrome tape : 4.5 dB improvement (over 5 kHz) |
| Input MIC | 0.3mV/50k Ω (6 φ Jack, Applicable Microphone 600 Ω ~ 30k Ω) |
| Input Line | 63mV/50k Ω |
| Input DIN | 14mV/1.8k Ω |
| Output Line | 450mV/50k Ω |
| Output DIN | 450mV/50k Ω |
| Output Headset | 50mV/8 Ω (6 φ Jack) |
| Power | 100 VAC, 50Hz/60Hz |
| Power consumption | 13W |
| External dimensions | Width 397x Height 110x Depth 245 mm |
| Weight | 4.6kg |
| Tape used | C-30, C-60, C-90, C-120 General tape, low-noise tape, chrome tape |
| Total Harmonic Distortion | 1.5% |
| Inputs | 1 × mic (6 φ Jack) |
| Outputs | 1 × headphone (6 φ Jack) |
| Attachments/Features | Tape Selector (Normal, Chrome) Dolby System B Type (ON/OFF) Autostop mechanism Peak Indicator (Recording) Overlevel Limiter (Recording) Skip button Tape running pilot Pose button Three digit tape counter Memory Rewind (ON/OFF) |
| Semiconductor used | Transistor : 36 Pieces (for Motor Control : 2 Pieces), FET : 2, Diode : 21 Pieces (For Motor Control : 1 Piece), Zener diode : 3 pcs |
Design
The CT-4040E uses an electronically controlled DC motor with a transistor-diode circuit to maintain constant speed, minimizing wow and flutter. It features a permalloy solid head with approximately 10 times the wear resistance of standard permalloy heads. The deck includes a non-contact full auto-stop mechanism, a direct-change play button from fast-forward or rewind, and a memory rewind switch. A BIAS/EQ independent tape selector optimizes settings for normal or chrome tapes, while a LINE/MIC input switch allows flexible source connection. The peak indicator uses an LED, and the skip button enables faster-than-play monitoring at about double speed.
eBay Listings
As an eBay Partner, we earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support our independent vintage technology research.