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Hitachi HT-L55 Linear Tracking Turntable Direct DriveThis record player from the early to mid 80s is in fantastic condition. Works very well and sounds fantastic. Includes all original packing materials, literature and even the 45 adapter. The rubber mat was still wrapped in the original plastic when I opened it. The condition is so close to being worthy of calling it "NOS". But, for the fact that the box has been sitting open for probably 40 years, I'm calling it used.The box shows some wear, but the turntable is in very very good condition. The top of the lid just has bit of "haze" on it that could be easily cleaned off. The box was "open", but this unit was never sold. That is why I'm calling it "used". It works like new, but doesn't "quite" look new.It will be double boxed and packed to survive the worst that the carrier can try to do to it, and it will be fully insured. It helps some that it has the original packing materials. Buy with confidence from a reputable seller with a 30 day money back return policy.International Buyers are welcome.Thanks for looking!
Generating expert take…
Hitachi is a Japanese electronics giant founded in 1910 by engineer Namiya Iwafune, who began the company as a small workshop producing electric motors. Over the decades, Hitachi grew into a diversified conglomerate whose industrial and component expertise laid the groundwork for its later entry into consumer audio and video. By the 1970s, the company had established itself as a serious player in the home electronics market, leveraging its engineering heritage to build a reputation for robust, well‑engineered products.
In the hi‑fi and AV space, Hitachi is best known for integrated amplifiers, power amplifiers, cassette decks, and later CD players and DVD‑based equipment. The brand also produced televisions, VHS and DVD camcorders, and a small range of portable audio devices such as MP3 players. Its audio components often carried the “Lo‑D” designation, signalling low‑distortion circuitry and a focus on clean, transparent sound. Hitachi’s speakers from the 1970s and 1980s, in particular, are still praised by enthusiasts for their balanced, engaging presentation.
Today, Hitachi is regarded less as a dedicated high‑end marque and more as a respected mid‑tier brand with a strong vintage following. Its classic separates and cassette decks are sought after by collectors and second‑hand buyers who value their build quality and straightforward, musical performance. While Hitachi no longer dominates the hi‑fi mainstream, its legacy remains visible in the continued interest in its older components and in the broader influence of Japanese engineering on modern audio design.
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