Hitachi D-E55 Cassette Deck

This Hitachi D-E55 is a stereo cassette deck with Dolby B and C noise reduction, it was first sold by Hitachi in 1981 with a recommended retail price of USD $260 and discontinued 3 years later in 1984.

The main features of the Hitachi D-E55 are: 2 heads, mechanical 3 digit tape counter, tape type selection and capable of handling normal, chrome and metal tapes, single capstan transport.

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.

Level meters used on the D-E55 are analog needle VU reading meters.

Dolby C-type used in the D-E55 provides 20 dB of noise reduction above about 1,000 Hz, fully doubling the amount given by B-type.

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.