The Hitachi TRK-9900 E is a three-piece portable radio recorder that was released in 1981, recognized for its substantial build and quality sound reproduction. It features a sophisticated 4-band tuner, offering FM, MW, LW, and SW reception, making it versatile for various broadcasting bands. The tape deck supports CrO2 and Metal tapes, along with Dolby noise reduction and DRPS music search capabilities. The unit is equipped with phono and line-in options for additional audio sources.
In terms of design and dimensions, the TRK-9900 E measures 580mm in width, 298mm in height (with handle down), and 227mm in depth. The system comprises a central unit and two speakers, each featuring 12cm woofers (3.2 ohm) and 5cm tweeters (4 ohm), delivering a frequency response ranging from 20 Hz to 17,000 Hz when using Metal tapes. The wow and flutter rate is an impressive 0.05% WRMS, ensuring stable sound playback.
Total weight of the system comes to 12.1 kg, including the central unit at 7.3 kg and each speaker at 2.4 kg, which does not account for batteries. The boombox operates on 10 D-cell batteries along with one AA battery for the clock function. The TRK-9900 E also includes multiple model variations, including TRK-9900W, TRK-9900H, and TRK-9900HC, available in silver, gold/brown, and brown/silver color options.
With a robust design, it features a toroidal power supply feeding a Sanyo STK430II amplifier for efficient performance. Hitachi claims a 2x25 watts 'Music Power' output, although the RMS power is slightly lower. The tuner is praised for its exceptional reception alongside features like three station presets, AFC, and FM muting. The LCD screen for tuning includes temporary backlighting, and there is a two-channel LED meter with 24 segments that acts as a VU meter.
The tape deck itself is complemented by a hidden compartment which contains recording level knobs, FM preset setters, and jacks for headphones and microphones. The overall construction of the speakers is superior to models such as the TRK-9140 and TRK-9150, featuring higher quality materials and enhanced sound projection.
