RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
Very attractive JVC L-A55 Semi Auto Direct Drive Turntable from the 1970s.2 Speed. Adjustable Arm Counterbalance. Anti Skate Adjustment. Pitch adjust with Stroboscope JVC Mag Cartridge and good Stylus Good Base Lid is shiny with a couple small scars I sell Retro Hifi Professionally so all my equipment is cleaned, tested and operating correctly unless otherwise stated. Returns considered on a case by case basis. All Items located in Sydney for delivery or pickup. These are Vintage units...please do not expect it to look like or necessarily perform like it just left the showroom floor. Delivery East Coast is approximately 6 Business Days elsewhere is longer. I accept Bank Deposit/Transfer, Paypal or Cash on Pickup. East Coast Postage - $55.00, WA/NT add $25.00, Nth QLD add $25 and Tasmania/SA add $15.00 to quoted postage.
The JVC L-A55 is a solid late-’70s direct-drive auto-return deck, but USD 284 is on the ambitious side. In the used market, clean working examples with a cartridge usually land around USD 100–180, with nicer restored or dealer-serviced units sometimes pushing toward USD 200. At USD 284, you’re paying near top-of-market money unless it’s been fully serviced, has a strong cartridge/stylus, and the dust cover is unusually clean.
Before buying, verify that speed is steady, auto-return/stop works cleanly, and the cueing doesn’t drop too fast. Also check for tonearm play, arm lift issues, and whether the cartridge/stylus is actually usable, since that can change the real value fast. A warped or heavily scratched dust cover is common and doesn’t hurt playback, but missing hinges, feet, or a weak motor/controller board do.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
JVC, originally founded on September 13, 1927, in Yokohama, Japan, as the Victor Talking Machine Company of Japan, emerged as a subsidiary of the American Victor Talking Machine Company. It quickly established itself in phonograph and record production, becoming a leader in turntables within its first few years. After RCA acquired the parent company in 1929, JVC expanded into radios and introduced Japan's first domestically produced television in 1939, laying the foundation for its enduring legacy in consumer electronics.
The brand's product focus has historically centered on audio and video playback devices, starting with phonographs and evolving through radios, televisions, and the revolutionary VHS videocassette recorder launched in 1976, which became the global standard over Sony's Betamax. In hi-fi realms, JVC gained renown for amplifiers, speakers, turntables, and components like tuners, while later offerings included headphones and car audio systems. Following its 2008 merger with Kenwood to form JVCKenwood, it continued blending audio expertise with broader electronics.
Today, JVC occupies a solid mid-tier position in the hi-fi market, prized by enthusiasts for reliable, value-driven performance rather than ultra-high-end exclusivity. Its vintage gear, particularly from the wood-case amplifier era and early digital components, attracts collectors, while modern lines deliver competent sound without boutique pricing. This accessible heritage makes JVC a dependable choice for knowledgeable buyers seeking proven Japanese engineering.
See all JVC listings on RADAR.
![Turntable Victor JVC QL Y77F Good Condition, Working, [RARE]](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/kJ4AAeSwBO5qOADg/s-l225.jpg)