Denon DR-171 (1986)
A Japanese-made stereo cassette deck from Denon’s late-1980s lineup, built for Hi-Fi separation and analog warmth.
Overview
The Denon DR-171 is a stereo cassette deck produced in Japan and introduced in 1986, positioned as a separate Hi-Fi tape recorder within Denon’s broader audio ecosystem. It uses a 2-head design with a single compact cassette transport, a common configuration for mid-tier decks of the era that balanced performance and cost. While specific technical measurements like frequency response or wow and flutter aren’t documented in available sources, Denon, already respected for its precision in turntables and amplifiers, applied that same engineering discipline to its cassette offerings, even if the DR-171 didn’t reach the flagship status of some contemporaries.
Market
The DR-171 remains a rare find today, with one unit listed for PLN 260 on OLX Poland as of May 15, 2026. A listing also exists on eBay under the full name "DENON DR-171 Stereo Cassette Deck Hi-Fi Separate Tape Recorder," though no sale price or condition is confirmed in the available data. Its scarcity is echoed in a January 15, 2026 Facebook post where a collector noted owning a DR-171 while referencing it as one of the more difficult-to-find units, suggesting growing niche interest. One user on Tapeheads.net shared in 2016 that after years of digital music, they were returning to analog with the DR-171, indicating its appeal as a tactile, warm-sounding alternative to modern formats.
eBay Listings
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Related Models
- Denon DR-210 (1985)
- Denon DR-M07 (1985)
- Denon DR-M22 (1981)
- Denon DR-M3 (1985)
- Denon DR-M33HX (1984)
- Infinity RS-IIA (1977)
- Sony TC PB5 (1970s)
- Infinity RS-4.5 (1978)
- Sony TC-K333ESG (1989)
- Sony TC-K333ESJ (1991)