Hitachi D550 Stereo Cassette Deck

[ksrigg]

Well, I finally went to the storage unit and found my beloved cassete deck. The one, which I thought, back in the day, beat the Nakamichi decks. Now I discover it is only a 2 head deck, and may not have had as much going for it as I thought.

Does anyone have this deck, or familiar with it? Would I be better off buying a different deck? I really don't want to spend that much, and am looking at Aiwa decks, Luxman decks and maybe a Technics or Pioneer. It seems to be the consensus that Nak decks sounded great, but needed to be played back on a Nak deck, or the levels were very low. Is this correct?

Does anyone have a suggestion as to which deck I should try to snag on eBay? Any input will be greatly appreciated...
Now I have to find belts for the Hitachi and see if she is nearly as good as I remember...

Larry?????? Maybe I'll send her to you to fix up and rebelt...

 

[rtp_burnsville]

Hi,

I have never used a Hitachi so can't comment on how it compares to the others...... Must we pick just one???? Everyone tends to have their favorite deck.... NAK, Yamaha, Pioneer tend to be the most talked about around here. I have some NAK's, Teac, Tascam, JVC, and Marantz at the moment. All have things I like and dislike.

Robert

 

[Web Police]

Check the Phoenix Garage Sale thread. Larry has quite few decks he is looking to part with.

http://forums.phxaudiotape.com/phoenix-garage-sale-t1763.html

 

[nakdoc]

The D550 was a very respectable deck. I recommended them quite often, and we were a Nakamichi dealer! Remember, Naks were very expensive prior to the BX1 intro. The D550 is a contemporary of the 480. It had a solid transport and good unit to unit uniformity. The only deck I thought was a better bargain was the Yamaha TC320.

 

[ksrigg]

Cool....thanks for the replies. I gotta get this unit's belts replaced. I took the cover off, and the belts ae there but not in good shape at all. Sagging...So I hope Lary or someone can help me figure out which belts would be the right ones for this deck. I remember doing comparisons back in the 80's and really thought this was a really good deck, comparing to others which cost more, so I hope I'm not disappointed when I get her fired up..She still light up and doesn't look half bad..

 

[speakerman1]

I'll check on the belts tomorrow. They will be right.

Larry

 

[stuwee]

Sutton, nakdoc's recommendation makes it worth a re-belt, that should only cost about $10, there is nothing wrong with 2-heads, they can sound very nice, you just can't monitor the recording as you go along, if Tom says the transport is well built, it's a keeper , after you play with it awhile, you may want to move up to one of the big boys, one of Larry's Tascam's would be a great idea!

btw, it's a cool looking little deck! Can it record metal tapes?

 

[ksrigg]

It has setings for NOR, FeCr, and CrO2..SO YEP, it does bias chromium tape, which is what I use to love using. I really want to get some of the Blue Label tapes to record my favorite music..

 

[speakerman1]

Stuwee where have you been buying belts lately? 10.00 No way.

Larry

 

[speakerman1]

Sutton
I just emailed Fred. Will have a price soon.If you want 10 blues you better get them now.The rest are going away. The only place to get them will be Joel.

Larry

 

[ksrigg]

I need to know where to send the money. I don't know where to send it..I can send a check with the Hitachi, or I can PayPal, but I need an address or a PayPal email...Please PM me..

 

[speakerman1]

You sure I didn't early this AM.

Larrt

 

[stuwee]

Stuwee where have you been buying belts lately? 10.00 No way.

Larry

My bad, that was several years ago, and it was from a repair place in town, they went belly up last year IIRC. So what does MARRS charge for a kit nowdays? Just in general?

 

[speakerman1]

LOL HMMMMMMMMM. Stuwee your talking to Larry. I think 30.00. Not sure.

Larry

 

[ksrigg]

Larry, I will be sending the Hitachi to you by UPS in the morning, along with a check for 10 Blue Labels and the belts for the deck. The belts are not gooey, but are just stretched out of shape. I hope it is not too hard to get to them for replacement.

I'll include a return label too.

I'd love to get your honest opinion of the deck when you get her up and running. I really would love to think I have a real sleeper deck, but if not, I want to find one on eBay for cheap. Looks like there are tons of them going for $20.00-$30.00. The thing is, knowing which ones are sleepers and which are duds, or full of problems and potential problems. Anyone got any brands and model numbers which they feel are desireable decks and which ones to aviod? I appreciate any input.

Thanks...........

 

[speakerman1]

That is a 1000.00 question.I have had them say non-working.Did a couple things and is still going today. If i can change all the belts from the back that is easy. Depends on how far I have to go in.LOL NP though.

Larry

 

[stuwee]

Oooo, I love looking for stuff with someone elses money, I'll find you something nice and inexpensive , but only after you hear the Hitachi, I think you'll like it, it's an old friend, which makes it more so.

 

[ksrigg]

The Hitachi is on it's way to Woodstock for a good going over, complete with new belts and an oil change. I know Larry will treat her right, and she will be returning with a case of Blue Labels. I hope Larry will report on his findings and impression of the deck after getting a good tune up. If the Hitachi doesn't do it for him, I sent it in a box large enough to accomidate an additional cassette deck for the return trip. I may have to purchase one of his Nak decks if the Hitachi is bettered by one of his "for sale" cassette decks. I hope I can get some Shponge (all of their stuff) and maybe some other stuff recorded for me) hint hint.....