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Hitachi Separates.

blhagstrom

blhagstrom

Mad Scientist, fixer.
Subscriber
Found this "stack" today at a local yard sale. I didn't know Hitachi made gear until recently. Thought I 'd share a photo. Cleaned up pretty and works fine. Fixed one meter bulb. Integrated HA-330, Tuner FT-340. Power meters, aluminum knobs, 40-50wpc. Even a free online service manual. What's not to love?

A little rocker!

$10

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yeah

Hmm, now that you mention it, those big flipper knobs do remind me of Yamaha. The huge volume knob with the even bigger balance wheel are unbelievable. When you grab it to adjust the volume, you get a strange feeling of power.
 
I nearly bought a Hitachi integrated in '78 or so. The salesman's pitch was that the other manufacturers used Hitachi electronics in their gear, but they kept the best stuff for their own. Don't know if I buy that argument, but it was compelling at the time. I went with a Harman Kardon and rode it hard for 30 years, but always wondered how that Hitachi that finished second in the race would have held up.
 
I almost bought a Hitachi turntable back in the day too. It looked nice. Wood grain, or probably MDF covered wood grain. But, I'm glad I bought my Pioneer PL-707 instead.
 
never knew

I grew up "off planet" in a place called North Dakota. I was in the Capitol (Bismarck) and they had one great music store with high end gear. Mostly Marantz, JBL, Sony. Team electronics had the Pioneer. There were a couple little places that tried in the very early 80s but by then the tide had turned. The commodity bubble burst and they've been in a recession ever since.

I never saw any Harman Kardon, Akai, JVC, Hitachi, Toshiba, etc... gear until recently when I got re-interested in playing with the stuff. It's great finding it cheap in thrift stores and garage sales and once in a while ebay and CL. I've read the hell out of AK and got a LOT of electronics books covering the basic component stuff. Managed to fix a lot of things. Having a blast.

The Hitachi came right out of the storage boxes and the lady said they "paid a lot for it back then". No idea how long its been stored. Cosmetically they are near perfect. I swear the longer it plays, the better it sounds. Caps softening up and transistors getting the rust out... :D
 
Underrated and very capable. Just not marketed like Pioneer or Sansui. Nice low buck vintage. I got a couple big ass Hitachi receivers I like a lot.
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Hitachi's tuners were very good; several Radio Shack products (tuners, amps, and cassette decks) were Hitachi OEM back in those days.

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blhagstrom said:
Hmm, now that you mention it, those big flipper knobs do remind me of Yamaha. The huge volume knob with the even bigger balance wheel are unbelievable. When you grab it to adjust the volume, you get a strange feeling of power.
Click to expand...

I see that tuna at Thrift Town for $15, keep passing it up. Have plugged it in a couple of times, it pulls in the stations amazingly well without an antenna - love watching those meters deflect. The tuning knob is solid metal, real nice feel to it. Only funky thing about it is that the output cables are permanently attached. Almost wish I actually needed another tuna...
 
I have 3 Realistic SA 2001 integrateds that I use the preamps to power different amps. Great preamps. These were made by Hitachi. Well under the radar. Listening to it right now. Sounds great.
 
I had just one experience with the Hitachi line, and it was just marvelous. If I had not been strapped for cash they would still be giving me hours of great sound. Hopefully blhagstrom your pieces will do the same for you.

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chicks said:
I see that tuna at Thrift Town for $15, keep passing it up. Have plugged it in a couple of times, it pulls in the stations amazingly well without an antenna - love watching those meters deflect. The tuning knob is solid metal, real nice feel to it. Only funky thing about it is that the output cables are permanently attached. Almost wish I actually needed another tuna...
Click to expand...

You're a stronger man then I. For $15, I'd grab it just for the "night light" appeal. It's really cool that the pointer light is a little spot light. The whole dial is not illuminated. Just a light shining down on the pointer. So as you adjust, the range of illumination moves with the pointer.

I was taken back by the hard wired output cables too. I don't know why, a guy has to use a cable to use the tuna. I suppose its because you loose the option of picking your own cable (longer?). But, as a matched pair, I would always want them stacked.

It does pull in stations quite well.
 
A heck of a deal for only $10!

I have a Hitachi SR-804 and just love it. But those SR-2004's, man those are beautiful!:yes:
 
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