Hitachi PS-48 Uni-Torque Direct Drive, Auto-Return (1976 Vintage Japan)

Hitachi PS-48 Auto Return Turntable 

(Pet Free, Smoke Free, Kid Free Home)

A Vintage Audiophile Classic. Rare, and highly sought after, this 1976 turntable features the Hitachi/Lo-D Uni Torque Direct Drive system. Rich walnut base with satin finish. Shock-absorbing feet. New stylus! Robust, metal hinges. Solid, well-balanced tonearm. There’s a reason these Hitachi turntables are desired.

Details: Fully Functioning. Dust cover is free of cracks. New, elliptical diamond stylus. Low capacitance RCA cables. Steady speeds at 33 and 45 RPMs.

*All photos are unedited and representative of the actual item for sale.

** Shipping can be a nightmare with the "big name" carriers. My shipping fee reflects the excessive amount of care I put into insuring the item you are buying arrives as it should, and I ALWAYS pay the extra amount to insure the shipement. I package EXTREMELY well... so much so, I include instructions on how to remove all the wrapping. (See my Reverb Reviews!)

Feel free to ask questions. Serious bidders/buyers only, please.

Description

The Hitachi PS-48 is a 2-speed, direct drive turntable system with the following features:

Unit-torque motor - the newly developed flat type non-rectification DC servo direct drive motor, which is completely different in basic structure from the conventional motor, is employed.

Torque is by definition, constant, so it rotates smoothly and quietly, and provides high performance S/N ratio and wow/flutter characteristics.

The initial high performance is maintained over a long period - the only system in the turntable drive which is in danger of getting worn is the motor bearing section.

However, wear and tear of the section is small and the initial high performance can be maintained.

Convenient automatic mechanism - an auto mechanism is built in which controls the rotation resistance of the tonearm making it small and this enables playing to be done with light stylus pressure.

When the record is finished or the auto-cut lever is pushed during play, the tonearm returns automatically and the turntable stops.

Speed adjustment by means of the neon lamp and stroboscope - speed adjustment can be easily done by means of a stroboscope and a neon lamp which are installed on the external edge of the turntable.

Employment of the low centre of gravity tonearm - by employment of the S-type low centre of gravity tonearm, the record is traced out faithfully.

Adjustment of stylus pressure done by a direct reading system by units of 0.2g.

Oil damped arm lifter - by using an oil damped arm lifter for lifting/lowering the stylus, there is little danger of damaging the record or stylus tip.

Structure resistant to howling - by use of large vibration-proof legs and cabinet as well as the installation of vibration-proof rubber to the arm installation section etc, the structure is resistant to howling.

Specifications

Type: 2-speed direct drive system

Platter: 308mm 1.6kg aluminium alloy diecast

Motor: brushless DC servo

Speeds: 33.33 and 45rpm

Pitch control range: +-2.5%

Speed change-over system: electronic

Signal to noise ratio: 60dB

Wow and flutter: 0.025% WRMS

Tonearm: tubular static balance type

Overall length: 301mm

Effective length: 220mm

Overhang: 15mm

About My Sales:

I have several turntables and receivers, some of which are "vintage" like this one. I do not claim to be an audio expert. I am as much an audiophile as my budget will allow. I do the cleaning and servicing myself, because these are from my legit audio set up and have been used by me to play my vinyl collection. I do not turn around high volume and I’m not flipping these on the cheap. I take the time to fix these up because I actually enjoy the process of restoring these older decks to their former glory (or as close as possible) and then listening to them for a while on my own system. When I come across another great find, I reluctantly part with one of the previous ones and repeat the process.

All That Fine Print and Terms:

Fully Functioning: Everything works and functions as it should. It is used, and in some cases, many decades old. It may carry some “character” with it that tells its own story. If it does, I do my best to explain this by stating it has scratches, scuffs, etc.

Working: Works as it has been tested and played by me. There may be features which I am not fully aware of that have been overlooked - not out of neglect... it just may be something I missed. Bottom line - I can confidently claim it works.

Sold as Parts or Repair: If the listing states the item is Parts, then there will be a description explaining what works and what does not.

Servicing and cleaning: (by my definition) includes removing all dirt and dust from the exterior and interior - to include any funk that was imparted to the item that was not the jazzy kind - completely check the functionality of all components, replacing the belt (if belt driven), replacing old fuses (if needed), cleaning all contacts, switches and pots (when present) with De-Oxit, lubing all necessary parts with Hoppes 9 or white lithium, examining the condition of the head shell and, if needed, replacing the cart, stylus and/or wires, buffing and removing scratches from the dust cover with Novus 3 step polish.

All sales are intended to be made with the buyer feeling confident they are purchasing a solid, reliable item. These ‘Vintage’ pieces were built to last... and they do! With that said, by nature of what they are, and why we love them, they are old. Things can and do break. Honesty is my thing. If I know something is not working, I come clean with it. As such, this listing is sold AS-DESCRIBED and the description is as accurate as I can manage. All sales are final and I cannot offer any refunds.