Hitachi D-5500 Stereo Cassette Tape Deck

This Hitachi D-5500 is a stereo cassette deck with double Dolby B noise reduction, it was first sold by Hitachi in 1979 with a list price of USD $1,200.

The main features of the Hitachi D-5500 are: 3 heads and off-tape monitoring, mechanical 3 digit tape counter and memory stop, manual tape type selection and capable of handling normal, chrome, ferro-chrome and metal tapes, dual capstan transport.

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Typical front loading cassette deck with the cassette compartiment located on the left side of the deck. Tape eject is operated mechanically and the cassette needs to be placed with the side to be played facing forward in the cassette well which is opened by a damped mechanism.

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Level meters used on the D-5500 are analog needle VU reading meters with peak indicator for easy adjustment of optimum recording level. Full-logic transport controls used on the D-5500 let it respond to the slightest finger contact for fast and effortless transport function selection.

To ensure the best response from the wide variety of tapes available adjustment of, bias, equalization and sensitivity, to optimum levels can be performed prior to recording.

The Dolby-B system reduces tape hiss on tapes recorded on the D-5500 by as much as 10 dB at the highest frequencies. The three-head configuration of the D-5500 requires a Double Dolby system, one for recording and one for playback. The 19kHz multiplex pilot slgnal present in FM stereo broadcasts can cause false triggering of the noise reduction system. The switchable MPX filter of the D-5500 filters out the pilot signal, and assuring proper Dolby processing of FM stereo programs.

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To make live recordings this deck has 2 microphone inputs to connect microphones with a jack connector. For undisturbed listening a jack connector for a pair of stereo headphones is supplied. Connection to other audio components for plaback can be achieved by a RCA cable and recording from a source by a RCA cable. All main transport commands can be issued remotely with a wireless remote control. [external_footer]