Pioneer Exclusive F3

Unfortunately... there isn't much I can tell you about this extra-extra-extra rare big beautiful high-end FM tuner which still bore a 4-Channel Multiplex output in view of (potential) Dolby-FM broadcasts.

Pioneer advertised about it very little and it seems only one catalog displayed it well, if with little technical description until 1978.
I couldn't find any test or quick reviews in any of my japanese magazines either but managed to pull a summer 1976 japanese Stereo Sound ad that shows the complete inside of this rare FM machine.
The earliest ad I could find is dated may 1975, published in that rich but rare magazine named Audio - scan upcoming.

It just seems the Exclusive F3 shares the very same 7-gang varicap assembly with the also extra-rare, also Japan-only and also magnificent F-26 and to have been derived, like the latter, from the TX-9900 (1974).
The rest is... bigger !

Since we all have the same july 1978 catalog, you can find the basic technical description at Mr Nisi's, alongwith the specifications and better images which I haven't got (yet).


What's sad is that Japan has an FM band going from 76MHz to 91MHz so importing one is useless as one would only have 2 or 3MHz of use.
The best station here in France, content & sound-quality-wise, France Culture, would be out of reach at 93,5MHz :(

• eXclusive F3                             (8)last updated by JwFabrie - 20/11/2010, 15H17 Open this topic in TVK Talk
  • #1
    
    JwFabrie
    20/11/10
    10H59
    I love this tuner! I got mine imported from Japan, since this is the only route to get one. Ofcourse there is the problem with voltage and bandwidth.. voltage is easy, bandwidth a bit more complex.. I was able to source a small device build for use in cars from Japan exported to other countries, and rebuild it for use with this tuner. It is called a bandwidth expander. The use is troublefree and the sound doesn't seem to suffer from it.
    
    This Tuner sounds really, really good! Mine is in repair right now since I had one small issue with one channel playing louder than it should occasionally. I am quite curious how the sound will be once I get it back, since the tech will also re-adjust everything to factory specs. I was able to source the Japanese servicemanual, so he has all the values.. the instruction is however a bit hard to read..
    
    To bad they never exported these tuners to the rest of the world! the Japanese kept so many special goodies on their own market.. It does make it fun however to go and search them in Japan and source them yourself nowadays!
    
    Cheers, Willem
  • #2
    
    Rare_Hifi
    20/11/10
    11H37
    Hi Willem
    
    That is really interesting. Can you send me a link to the device you used?
    
    I once imported a Marantz 10B tuner and it was impossible for me to change the frequency band.
    
    I would love to buy an F3 Post some photos!
    
    Ritchie
  • #3
    
    JwFabrie
    20/11/10
    11H49
    Hi Ritchie,
    
    here some pics, sorry for the poor quality:
    
    
    
    
    
    
    You can take a look on ebay for the device; use "frequency expander" as search term. There are many to be chosen from. I chose the one with the small square box on the cable, so I could easily open it to connect a 12 volt adapter. Mine simultaniously switches up with 12 and 24 mhz, so I can receive the full spectrum.. Take a look for yourself and see which one you prefer..
  • #4
    
    Rare_Hifi
    20/11/10
    12H00
    Thanks Willem,
    
    I had a look around and sent an email to Bridgewater Electronics. They said it plugs in between the aerial and the tuner...but I would have to see this in operation!
    
    Amazing setup! Pure class.
    
    Ritchie
  • #5
    
    Scytales
    20/11/10
    12H09
    The speaker looks also very impressive, indeed !
  • #6
    
    Stoffie
    20/11/10
    12H23
    Wow, what a beautiful setup, makes me quiet...
  • #7
    
    Rare_Hifi
    20/11/10
    14H17
    You still need to get those up off the floor Willem. The tweeter has to be at ear level for optimum performance and the bass driver off the floor...I built custom stands for the 2402's with wheels
    
    It looks a great speaker. I would love to find a pair to put in my torture room!
  • #8
    
    JwFabrie
    20/11/10
    15H17
    I was thinking to build some stands as well.. When I sit down on m bench however, the horn is (almost) at ear level.. I will go and build something in the nearby future anyways..
    
    the 3401's sound great anyways!