Features:

• Backlit 10 character LCD on remote as well as backlit LCD and control buttons on body.
• Large style jog dial for inputting disc and track titles (up to 50 characters).
• High speed (2x) playback mode for mono or stereo recordings with no pitch change.
• Title search function allows another track to be selected by name while unit is playing.
• Divide function has rehearsal mode (as MD decks do) that repeatedly plays 3 second segment at divide point, allowing divide point to be moved with AMS knob or << and >> keys (edit point step size is 60ms).
• Synchro start recording from digital and analog sources.
• Repeat 1, all, shuffle and 25 track program play mode.
• 40 second shock memory, sampling rate converter.
• 1 bit DAC/ADC.
• Date and time stamp recording.
• Time mark function can automatically make a track mark every 5 minutes.
• Bass boost.
• 3 step battery life indicator on main body as well as remote.
• Included accessories: LCD remote, stereo headphone, one point microphone, AC adapter (AC-D401 [AC-D401U in US]), LiIon cell, Dry cell case (for AAx3), Carrying pouch, Neck strap.
• Color: gold.
• US, UK (& European?) units omit neck strap and one point microphone, US units replace earbuds with 'swoops' (HP-M038), which are behind-the-head street-style headphones.

Variants: The Aiwa AM-F65 has been released in Europe, it is nearly identical to the AM-F70 but has no backlight on the main unit's LCD panel, has no LCD panel on remote, and comes without dry cell case (for AAx3).

Tips:

• When you're in titling mode, hit the shift button (also the search button) right above the jog dial to choose between the uppercase, lowercase, and symbol character sets. -Ian McFarlane
• Record-pause (and hence record mode) can be activated from the remote. To activate from stop mode, hold down the MODE button on the remote for at least 2 seconds, then press the PLAY/PAUSE button. The recorder will then be in record-pause, to commence recording, push the PLAY/PAUSE button again. Also while in pause mode you can use the MODE button to access the recording options (record level, auto track marks, etc) as normal. -Brian Youn

Links:

• Battery substitution: Ricard Wanderlof has a page describing a battery substitute that can be used to keep your Aiwa running even though the original batteries are no longer available.
• Aiwa's Japanese announcement of the unit.
• Aiwa's English AM-F70 page.
• Rob Nguyen's comprehensive review of this unit plus his extensive comparison of the Sharp MD-MT821, Sony MZ-R55, and Aiwa AM-F70.
• Japan Direct has some clear snapshots of the Aiwa AM-F70, including one of it beside an MZ-R55.
• An Aiwa AM-F70 review at MiniDisc World.
• Heiko Debschitz notes photos and German pages for Aiwa's AM-F65/70 series in silver, blue, green and champagne.
• Bruce Mcmahan submits a detailed review of the Aiwa AM-F70.
• eTown has a review for this unit.
• Minidisco has a rotatable 3-D spinning image of this unit.
• The Aiwa AM-F70 is spotted for $200 at Tweeter (search for "amf70").
• Simon Wilson has made a handsome comparison report of the Aiwa AM-F70 and Sony MZ-R90.

Specs: Freq. resp: 20-20kHz +/-1dB @ 10KOhm. Headphone amp: 10mw + 10mw

Reviews:

User Manual: AM-F65 Electronic Shopping Mall