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Hitachi Direct Drive PS 38
This is a seller’s market only for exceptional examples; at €200, this one is clearly ambitious rather than a bargain. Recent comparable asking prices put the median at €133, with the upper quartile at €167, so €200 is roughly €67 above the midpoint and still €33 beyond the 75th percentile. It would need unusually strong presentation or extras to justify that premium.
The PS-38 is a worthwhile direct-drive deck: solidly built, with a substantial platter, smooth oil-damped cueing, adjustable anti-skate, electronic speed selection, and useful pitch control. Its 0.04% wow-and-flutter specification remains respectable, and the plug-in headshell makes cartridge changes straightforward. Before paying the premium, verify stable 33 and 45 rpm operation, since the speed controls can become erratic with age, and confirm the headshell, dust cover, cartridge, and cabling are included. At €200, excellent originality and demonstrated servicing are essential.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
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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