TRQ-737: the “piano-style” LevelMatic Hitachi

The Retro Audio Museum in Lelystad, the Netherlands, has a collection of over 1,000 audio devices that continues to grow. Due to limited space in my museum, I am targeting only rare and unique examples. Today, I would like to introduce you to this interesting Hitachi machine. Hitachi reel-to-reel recorders were less exported and less documented than those of Sony or Akai.



The TRQ-737 appeared in the 1969 generation of Hitachi reel-to-reel recorders, positioned above the earlier TRQ-707 (1968) and just before the TRQ-730D and TRQ-777 (1970).

Typical Hitachi catalogue line (1968-1970) looked like:
TRQ-707 — stereo deck (1968)
TRQ-737 — upgraded stereo recorder (1969)
TRQ-730D — improved specs (1970)
TRQ-777 — auto-reverse model (1970)

So the TRQ-737 was basically the top portable stereo suitcase recorder right before the advent of auto-reverse.

The Hitachi TRQ-737 has the “piano-style” transport keys. You feel and hear a clear “click” when engaging a function. It is easy to operate without looking at the panel and allows one-handed operation, which is convenient. The piano-key system disappeared in the mid-1970s and was replaced by “logic-control” transports.

The tape recorder's frequency response is from 30 Hz to 18 kHz. TRQ-737 has a built-in stereo amplifier with 6 watts per channel and was supplied with two 6-inch speakers (which are currently missing from my collection).