Weird Cassettes Plus a DENON Drawer Loading Deck

Drawer loading tech is very common here on the databits Channel. On this video we look at a DENON deck with a very odd playback issue as well as some vintage cassettes from my collection.
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The databits channel is pleased to provide you with the best in new tech, vintage and oddity gadgets, media formats, repair projects, electronic experiments and restorations of thrift store finds. There are also many "how to" and instructional titles. The goal is to search through garage sales, antique malls and resale shops for gadgets you didn't know existed, electronic toys you had as a kid, stereo or turntables your parents used or a film projector your school used to teach you valuable lessons. Typically we produce one video a week with several trips to a thrift store per month. Sometimes, through research, an item is searched for on ebay and purchased for review. A list of some of the most popular items watched here on the channel are: record cutting on various materials, DLP television repairs, VCR's, Camcorders, turntables, record players, records, car reviews and dictation equipment.

[@CoolDudeClem]

Cassette is still king of audio formats in my room, I use them almost every day! I also have a deck that has a draw that opens which is also by Denon but mine is a more high end machine though, even though it is also dual capstan, it doesn't have auto reverse, it uses them both at the same time as a "closed loop" system (whatever that means).

[@jomjom1207]

DRS-810. We have the same deck.. I wonder if it was a video regarding the 810 that made me subscribe to your channel years ago :)

[@warrenmacdonald1372]

In a closed-loop dual capstan system the trailing capstan turns slightly slower and this provides the necessary tension on the tape for head contact

[@supermasterPIK]

Are dual capstrain system prone to failure?

[@koushiroizumi0]

DCC is best cassette format.

[@lesrogers7310]

supermasterPIK - Personally I've never heard of or seen a capstan motor failure, either in a single capstan deck or a dual model.

[@nslouka90]

I remember getting “cassingles” almost always you’d get the single plus some sort of remixed/extended version or the single plus an entirely different track.

[@rml695]

I am a patron of the NLS and remember the C-1 quite well. Nowadays I have a DA-1 Digital talking book machine, as well as the NLS app on various devices. The pinch roller trouble you had which made the tape play as it did brought back memories. I would sometimes play commercial tapes on the C-1 and speed them up and slow them down just for fun. :)

[@justinpipes85]

I used to love those maxell 90s because they had screws instead of glue. Easy to super glue the tape back together if it ever broke.

[@justinpipes85]

@Robert Helix exactly what i was trying to say. I fixed many a tape.

[@peterlamont647]

I think I see what the problem is. There is a black plastic thing that is supposed to hold the capstan in place, but it is either worn on the capstan side(rounded) so that it slips back via the spring. There should be a mechanism that prevents that from moving. It is hard to see if that black rectangle right above the capstan is the culprit, but it sure looks like it. I really think that is the part which is supposed to keep the capstan in place. It's hard to describe with text though. You could take a plastic bag and melt it so that it has some extra flat surface, and will not slip. I have used that trick to fix everything from tire pumps to my optical mouse(which has now been in service since 2001).

[@peter_aka_hamamass]

I found a Denon DRS810 in a thriftstore, where i did some volunteer work at some time, and it is an amazing machine, beautiful. The deck was/is 100% perfect and working. And best of all, IT WAS FREE!!!

[@databits]

Thank you for the comment and for being a subscriber!

[@soliman15]

The metal piece behind the pinch rollers should shift right and left and by doing so it pushes one roller or the other

[@landspide]

did you find the small springs rattling around? I just worked out how to fix one of these, the pinch roller has a captive spring which breaks a plastic tab as it is always under load. the small spring (like a clothes peg) puts load on the capstan from the metal tab that lifts down... it took me ages to work out what it was and fashion a replacement section with 3d printer...

[@databits]

I ended up selling the unit. Congrats on fixing one!

[@lowieverwegen1040]

Hello. I have a Denon UDR-F07 deck that has the exact same drive. With the same problem. The problem is that there are springs missing on both pinchrolholders because the plastic broke of. I can send you a picture how is should be. I managed to modify a spring that I had lying around and now at least forward play is working. I can send you a picture of that too.

[@deathstrike]

I have a Braun front drawer loader cassette (ADS Atelier in America) and I've always had a fondness for the drawer loaders despite the complexity. So a word of advice for anyone seeking these kinds of machines. One: Use the RIGHT formulation of oxide for your particular player and ONLY use a high quality cassette (follow the manufacturer's recommendations). Two: clean, clean, clean!!! Keep the pinch rollers, capstan, and tape path clean. Three: proper lube is your friend! Finally: don't be afraid to refer to a pro to repair your unit, better to defer to someone who knows how to repair one than risk destroying your own.

[@denniseldridge2936]

Wow, this one brought back memories! I grew up at the time that cassettes ruled the earth, and I recognize many of those particular cassettes you showed. I can relate to the mismatched cassette/case thing - I don't think any of my cassettes matched the cases they came in lol. I do remember that Memorex hinged case - I thought it was the coolest thing back then haha. Thanks for the memories!

[@DelphiTheDolphin]

As others already said: the pinch-roller springs are missing. they sit on the big post right behind the pinchroller-wheel and press it down with enough force to not get in the way on eject but still press the against the tape.

[@MsJinkerson]

I still use cassettes

[@lesrogers7310]

You are not alone.

[@sebastianchibrac4877]

me too bud.

[@cloudkendall3113]

Me too

[@darrencafferty]

I have a Onkyo K-505 which is very similar, nice deck and with a good tape sounds just as good as a CD

[@intelnew]

Usually the pinch roller are spring loaded against the flywheel master capstan, when the head moves the pinch roller load to the capstan and when ejected pinch roller dis engage along with the head, feels like some part is missing or broken

[@hadireg]

you can replace the spring with a right-sized clothes safety pin, cut and bent properly. pictures of the spring placement is avail on google images ! Thanks for this visit!!

[@databits]

That is an awesome tip! Thank you! I still have the deck and will have to try it.

[@michaelallard5324]

I'd say the pinch rollers are not sitting where they need to be. I would check the mechanical guide (anything that moves when play is pushed) responsible for moving those pinch rollers forward. It is possible that the whole mechanism simply jumped track as I call it. Have you tried holding one of the rollers against the capstan while pushing play to see if it can stay on its own once completely engaged? As a last resort remove both pinch rollers without a tape in and engage play by any means necessary then try to keep tape drive in play mode while pulling power cord. Replace pinch rollers against capstans as they should be. Reconnect power. Had to do that on a Sony deck with logic controls.

[@Cammi_Rosalie]

It looks as if those metal tabs that you put the grommets over, should shift side-to-side. Slots in the slightly gold-ish colored plate near the metal tabs seem to confirm this. Given the triangular shape of the plastic protrusions on the pinch-roller housings, it looks as if the metal tabs should move right to play one side, contacting a higher point on left roller housing, and a lower point on the right roller housing. Pushing the left roller in tight, but leaving the right roller loose. Vice-versa for the flip side of the tape. Those metal tabs are not moving side to side. Only back & fourth. Take a peek underneath and see if some linkage is off. Edited for correction of something I missed before sending.

[@the_rubbish_bin]

Be kind to your tapes, REWIND!

[@gio048]

My goodness,I remember all of those cassettes,especially the Scotch and Memorex,I almost fell over.Those where the ones I used all the time growing up.Then later in time I started with Maxell,that beautiful gold plated cassette.But I also used TDK SAC90.Those were my favorites. Thanks for bringing back great memories.Fantastic video 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂Also that machine is 😎😎😎

[@supermasterPIK]

I always prefer LEDs under the controls that a big screen.

[@fyredragon2816]

The cassette player almost resembles a commodore 64 disk drive.

[@carvinblack]

Just sold a Datasette. 😎

[@MrVasse3]

Many tape decks during that era were made with drawing cassette mechanism and small factor. It’s not uncommon at all. Denon, Technics and many others did it. It was the time of the midi hifi equipments in the 90’s. Separates that was smaller and usually needed to be connected together with the other parts of the same Brandt/system with special cables. Denon made full sized separate tape decks with horizontal drawing mechanisms as well for almost the whole decade.

[@Oldgamingfart]

It's either a belt issue, or the linkage that's supposed to actuate the pinch rollers has dried up grease on it. Either way, it's most likely to be a mechanical issue rather than electronic, as if it was something like a dead solenoid or a missing voltage it probably wouldn't do anything at all!

[@Ziggerzzz]

The pinchroller springs are missing from the big posts you can see on the pinchrollers

[@Ziggerzzz]

Fixed hundreds of the things when engineers got paid lol

[@jomjom1207]

Do a picture search for this model on Google.. You will come up with a (rather small) picture of the same deck with its cover off confirming that those two springs are missing.

[@dvdemon187]

Right on the money. I believe it's this picture jomjom is speaking of: sylvian.exblog.jp/iv/detail/?s=23057323&i=201411%2F16%2F21%2Fc0024721_23234863.jpg I believe the missing little springs are called torsion springs. Hope you find yourself some that fit in there and get it working again.

[@EnzoCareri]

Yes, this is correct. You can see the springs in this image - sylvian.exblog.jp/iv/detail/?s=23057323&i=201411%2F16%2F21%2Fc0024721_23234863.jpg

[@databits]

Great job, Jason. I actually knew this but was testing my audience! Kidding! I found one of those springs inside the unit but could not find a place to put the spring...it neither fit correctly or remedied the situation. The photo supplied here should help! Thanks everybody.

[@TECHNOGEEK20000]

Hey I have a question, I have a Gerrard model 711 double cassette deck and it needs belt replacements but I cannot figure out how to do it nor can I find documentation online to do it. Would love to get it working again. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[@databits]

I suggest taking your question to tapeheads.net

[@verastaki]

I Need This Tape Deck, To Play My 4,000+ Tape Collection!

[@sarmachinta918]

I like cassettes very much sir

[@chrislane4637]

I love your channel you got so many interesting things to show some of them I have not seen before so thank you very much

[@MLX1401]

A very interesting tape collection, those c-singles are soo rare! Also the Memorex flipcase did impress, never seen similar before. Gives really a much nicer appearance to the format than those flimsy-squeky J-cases :)

[@denniseldridge2936]

Yes indeed, the Memorex case is cool as heck. I can't tell you how much I loath the standard case, which seems almost designed to fail.

[@aronfulop5719]

I have a yamaha KX-M5 tape deck with the same mechanic. But i dont have problems with it.

[@ApolosaCakau]

I wonder if this is still available to buy online? This is a very cool cassette deck

[@DAVIDGREGORYKERR]

The Phillips DCC900 is also drawer loading and uses tapes that have a label on one side with a see through cover on top and uses the PASC(Precision Adaptive Sub-band Coding) encoding/decoding method and uses Video tape as the recording medium and uses SCMS anti-copy system... Just wondering should there be little rubber pieces that press down on the pinch roller.

[@gctechs]

I think there are some parts missing between the black plastic roller assembly and the metal part which moves towards the rollers, or the metal part got misaligned somehow. And as far as I remember in auto-reverse decks during playback have one roller is touching the tape while another is lowered, but doesn't touch the tape (about 1mm distance), then when you switch the side of the tape they switch places. Of cource the rubber washers you're using are not precise enough to ensure the proper distance, so the tape stops because in the auto-reserse decks both capstans rotate in the oposite directions. I'm afraid that somebody was using this unit as a donor machine, or the parts snapped somehow during transport.

[@touchofdumb]

I love Peter Thomas! But can’t find your upload of the cassette...

[@carvinblack]

I picked up a Denon DR 210 for 10 bucks. Runs strong. The only thing is sometimes it starts squealing. I hit stop, then play and it goes away for a while. I am going to replace the belts. Also I think I see what are bearings. I will replace those if I can. The weird thing it the flywheels spin super smooth. So maybe something is heating up and expanding?

[@theseob]

I had a Technics hd-301 mini componten set. It also had a slot loading tapedeck.

[@johnkean6852]

Send link to photo 🤔 please

[@thaddeusmcgrath]

I had a Marantz sd3510 drawer loading deck that was gold with analog meters when I was a teenager. That was the first one I ever seen and never came across one in 25 years since.

[@johnkean6852]

Please send link with photo 🤔

[@GP1138]

2:55 thought that was Jose Feliciano for a second.

[@ashbashbaby2]

Had same problem With mine tiny bit of plastic broke which holds the spring the spring it hit by the metal which forces the pinch roller against the tape. Bought second hand one and robbed bits out of it to fix mine

[@himurakenshin4517]

I have the same one. But how can I turn the volume up please?

[@databits]

There is no volume control. You'll need an external amplifier to connect it to.

[@himurakenshin4517]

@@databits I see. I used a earphone to connect to it but very low voice.

[@shkeni]

That Memorex cassette is so cool.

[@johnkean6852]

They did some fab cassettes but l remember they were really expensive about 10x the price

[@noahamoe3394]

That is cool man

[@maximilianfischer8899]

Can someone link me to the video of the Rocky Mountain tour tape please???

[@JessicaFEREM]

I think it's cool that the casette loads like a CD

[@bharatsinhrathod8800]

Very nice

[@vincentanu1750]

For Denon this is a real dis-appointment. No VU/LED meters, no volume in and why do they use a motorized flip head design, when a 4 track cassette head is keeper an less prone to malfunctioing?

[@codykamminga9667]

I have a DRS-640, its great and it has a drawer

[@kd1s]

Regards the issue - there's a spring somewhere the perished - or perhaps a belt.

[@ahah1785]

wow Sony FECr is a super rare tape...Type 3 that is...dont see them at all nowdays

[@mariogonzalez8825]

I have the Same problem, on my DENON UDCM M7, which I bought in 1997. you’re missing 2 springs, which go on the pinchrollers. Mine are there but there is a small piece of plastic on both ends which broke at some time. I need to Replace the pinchrollers or try using the same rubber grommets u are using. My Denon, I have the complete system along with the receiver and the CD player. (3 CD holder), I took apart the tape deck today and realised that either I find a complete set of the broken parts or kept the tape deck as a memorabilia item. My radio and CD player works fine though,so that’s a plus. Thanks for posting your video.

[@databits]

Hi Mario. Yes, I am missing the springs. I still have the machine. I should try to get some. Have you seen springs for sale online?

[@mariogonzalez8825]

I didn’t find the springs but I saw a video on Bass.Master626, he posted a video and shows how to fix the problem. It’s not the most conventional fix but definitely works. Have a look at it an you’ll see. The video is in German but if you follow the video closely you’ll see how the fix comes along. I’ll try that method on my cassette player since both my springs are missing the plastic piece which broke off on both pinchrollers. I may also post a idea on how to... Good luck.

[@rogergraham-leigh6604]

I managed to fix my Denon DRR-M10 today, which has the same tape loading and playing mechanism. On both sides the lower plastic retaining lugs (which held the lower arm of the springs in the correct position) had broken off, and one of the two springs was missing, so neither pinch roller was operating. I fixed the loss of the lugs by making a small hole in the plastic part which holds the pinch roller and spring, and pushing through a pin which I then bent so that it retained the lower arm of the spring - the lower arm of the spring should be about parallel to the upper arm. The back end of the pin (on the other side of the plastic from the spring) I bent so that it was secured and wouldn't move about too much. I made a replacement for the missing spring by winding a paperclip round a small screwdriver shaft, but I see someone in these comments has suggested using a safety pin, which seems a good idea. The deck now plays as intended, which is excellent!

[@supermasterPIK]

2:57 That´s movie sounbdtrack from 1964 Rex HArrison and Audry Hepburn movie.

[@Anditover]

You know what? I think I may know what is wrong with the mechanism. Could it be that someone took it to pieces before you got it and upon reassemby swapped the left and right capstone push plates over? They are a mirror image, but the tabs should be on the edge nearest the hinging roller, not farthest from it. They are obviously supposed to engage, but must be improperly positioned. Hopefully, gosh it's been 3 years now, you either fixed it or have it in a box ready to play with when you are bored! Take care

[@akella728]

i hate such decks. unable to adjust azimuth

[@stephencresswell4760]

Or just replace the two missing springs. You can see where they go.

[@pjbth]

Cool!

[@zirak93]

there are some strange things in this world, this is one of them.

[@roytofilovski9530]

The cassette player for the cool kids.... Needles to say I was not one of those kids.....

[@peterjmcgee4680]

There is an assembly that is operated by a spring it might be under nice you have to remove the bottom panel on the pinch roller assembly there is a spring that activates the pinch roller on each time when the head switches over the going that direction is it normal that comes over that depresses on an arm that operates the pinch roller is a spring in there that may have broke that's why it's not working or became disconnected you might be able to see it from underneath being that this is now 2019 it's a little late maybe you've already figured it out but if it's sitting in your closet you haven't figured it out yet I would remove the bottom of the unit and take a look from underneath

[@gbilo24]

My grandma had one of these. Although when I tried it, it didn't work.

[@databits]

Yeah they weren’t built Ford tough!

[@rogeliolopez2190]

I found an xl 2 in one of my drawers and was the first cassette I ever recorded and had

[@johnkean6852]

Please send link to photo🤔

[@jaybrooks1098]

Looks like there is something that needs to swing into the area from the back.

[@chuckdieselkicksdisks2380]

I have a norelco promotion tape....lol

[@zsomborudvari8974]

15:05 Why not you glue that ring there? Maybe don't need to open this again if that ring is glued there.

[@justusgovaert]

I also have this player or a simulair one but for me it is working fine. I don't use it becouse I have 2 better full sized players but it is stil a nice one I guess

[@-t-g]

Ez egyszerű mechanikus hiba és szétszedés után látható a probléma.A feszítőrugók nincsenek helyükön vagy egy közvetítőelem.

[@databits]

Nagyon szépen köszönjük!

[@davidleethompsoniii8263]

Can't follow you on Facebook you know Zuckerberg will suck your face out... Not to mention your soul. I subscribed because the person has so much patience... Funny solution!

[@databits]

I have lost my soul so I bought a Kia Soul. Helps a little.

[@mrmagnetoscope]

Everybody mixed cassettes with their boxes.

[@5roundsrapid263]

I had that Ace of Base cassette as a kid! I got my first CD player soon after, and bought it again on CD.

[@oldgamecafe]

13:39 is not necessary SCREAM GREAT!

[@ingenfestbrems]

Denon had many draw cassette decks

[@thehunterofdeath2180]

The outer reverse they get mess up faster I had a lots of decks even denon n other brand but outer reverse get mess up faster n the sound quality could get mess up when it change that why I only buy one side no outer reverse after time they get mess up no worth it denon cassette deck are great maybe that one got drop

[@databits]

Thank you for the comment and for being a subscriber!

[@artiehall7708]

Oops. I deleted what I said, because I just noticed that others beat me to it. Don't know how I missed it.

[@yejavu2268]

13:09

[@TEDdotcom]

07:47 Denon Tape Deck test

[@YouTubeSupportTeams]

good luck fixing that

[@databits]

Thank you!

[@volkerking5932]

Brown colored Tape is trash! only the black colored one are the best like this maxell XLII-S. The other Tapes like "Scotch" etc are light brown.

[@lesrogers7310]

The brown colouring is only found on type 1 Ferric tapes. Type 2 (CrO2) and type 4 (Metal) were both dark grey. So yes, brown coloured tapes are inferior in their sound reproduction.

[@kikurass322]

For a guy that has as much experience in tape deck repair as you claim, I find it odd that you have not investigated the underside of the machine. Without stripping the machine down to the point of having the entire chassis on the bench and running through it manually, you will always just be guessing at the issue and never actually be repairing it. There is no need for patch leads and the like, the deck is all controlled by the load motor. Don't be afraid of it, rip into it, get the chassis out and go through each mode and find the actual problem. It really is not that hard. My thoughts are a plastic load pin has sheered which is why the pinch rollers no longer engage. To be honest, that head design, is not a great idea, they have issues where they break wires running to the heads. This is pretty typical of Denon, I am yet to work on any Denon unit and come out thinking, 'well built/well engineered.....I don't like them at all.