Nakamichi 550 Versatile Cassette System

This Nakamichi 550 is a stereo cassette deck with Dolby B noise reduction, it was first sold by Nakamichi in 1974 with a list price of USD $560 and discontinued 6 years later in 1980.

The main features of the Nakamichi 550 cassette deck are: 2 heads, mechanical 3 digit tape counter, manual tape type selection and capable of handling normal and chrome tapes, belt driven single-capstan transport.

Typical of this deck is the 70's top loading layout 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 Nakamichi 550 cassette deck are analog needle VU reading meters. Mechanical transport controls for reliable Nakamichi 550 transport function selection.

To ensure the best response from the wide variety of tapes available adjustment of, sensitivity, to optimum levels can be performed prior to recording.

The Dolby-B system reduces tape hiss on tapes recorded on the Nakamichi 550 by as much as 10 dB at the highest frequencies. The 19kHz multiplex pilot slgnal present in FM stereo broadcasts can cause false triggering of the noise reduction system. The switchable MPX filter of the 550 filters out the pilot signal, and assuring proper Dolby processing of FM stereo programs.

To make live recordings this deck has 3 microphone inputs (for left, right and center channels) 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.

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