The Denon DR-70 was released in 1989 as a 3-head stereo cassette deck, with the Denon DR-70 finished in black and the Denon DR-70G finished in champagne gold. The two versions share the same core design and specification, with the DR-70G adding wider side panels that increase both the overall width and weight of the unit.
The deck is built around a 4-track, 2-channel stereo cassette format and uses three heads, with separate recording and playback heads plus a double-gap ferrite erase head. The recording and playback heads use an amorphous core with PC-OCC coil wire, while the head block is made from aluminium die-cast construction for secure mounting.
Tape transport is handled by a closed-loop dual-capstan system. This arrangement controls the tape between two capstan and pinch-roller points, helping maintain stable tape travel across the heads. The capstan is driven by an electronically controlled DC motor, with separate DC motors used for reel drive and mechanical control.
The Denon DR-70 also includes Denon’s Silent Mechanism, using computer-controlled operation with a rotary encoder. Mechanical and counter functions are controlled by a one-chip microcomputer, supporting smooth transport operation and accurate control functions. The capstan system uses vibration-control damping, while the take-up capstan uses a high-inertia flywheel to reduce wow and flutter.
A key feature of the deck is the Ceramic Composite Cassette Stabilizer. This system holds the cassette firmly in place using a ceramic composite stabiliser and elastic side support to reduce vibration of the cassette shell during operation. The chassis construction also uses anti-vibration measures, including a steel top cover, internal steel reinforcement and a double-layer bottom cover.
The Denon DR-70 includes Dolby B and Dolby C noise reduction, along with Dolby HX Pro for recording. Tape selection is automatic across normal, high and metal tape types. A bias fine adjustment control allows the recording bias to be trimmed for the tape being used, while the MPX filter is included for FM recording with Dolby noise reduction.
The front panel includes a computed multi-function display system with a real-time digital counter, tape size selector and FL peak meter with peak hold, displaying from -40dB to +10dB. The deck also provides auto tape monitor switching, record return, auto recording space, follow-up recording, record mute, CD direct input and a headphone output with level control.
Features
- 3-head cassette deck with separate recording, playback and erase heads
- Amorphous core PC-OCC recording and playback heads
- Double-gap ferrite erase head
- Closed-loop dual-capstan transport
- Silent Mechanism with computer-controlled operation
- Electronically controlled DC capstan motor
- Separate DC motors for reel drive and mechanical control
- Ceramic Composite Cassette Stabilizer
- Anti-vibration chassis construction
- Automatic tape selection for normal, high and metal tapes
- Dolby B and Dolby C noise reduction
- Dolby HX Pro recording system
- Bias fine adjustment
- Real-time digital counter with tape size selector
- FL peak meter with peak hold
- Auto tape monitor switching
- Record return function
- Auto recording space function
- Follow-up recording function
- CD direct input