This fairly rare JVC VR-5551 Stereo Receiver was manufactured in Japan in early 1971 till about 1974. The VR-5551 was the top of the line model from JVC delivering 50 Watts per channel into 8 ohms with 0.5% THD. The retail price in 1972 was about $450 in brochures and catalogs. The VR 55XX product line were all black faceplate and knobs receivers when most were going silver. These receivers were one of the first to replace the typical treble and bass tone controls, offering instead a five-band version of the SEA (Sound Effects Amplifier or Equalizer) newly patented in 1971. The five sliders served to boost or cut up to 12dB over frequency bands with the center frequencies of 40Hz (sub), 250Hz (low), 1kHz (low mid), 5kHz (mid) , and 15kHz (high). These sliders operate continuously, registering "detent click" per 2 dB on the scale to adjust tone to your own needs. The unit also had an SEA Defeat below the bands.
Cash Sale, No Holds, Call or Text for Pick-Up
Condition: The unit is physically in excellent condition, please see photos. It was recently serviced by DALAUDIO, and all controls, switches, potentiometers and selectors, fader/sliders were cleaned and tested. The units idling current was set (within spec 10-20mA) and Center PSU set within .5 x 5% of 85VDC or about 42.5VDC +-5% per the service manual. Anything that required changed (caps and lamps) were completed. The unit was not totally rebuilt to keep costs down. It has a typical warm sound that one would expect from a MIJ 1970s receiver. FM muting is functional and works quite well.
Other Key Features
- FM muting, loudness, mono mode, low filter, high filter, and as indicated above SEA defeat.
- Dual Green Backlit Tuning Meters and Tuning Dial
- Front-panel tape record & playback jacks for recording with/without SEA.
- Left and Right microphone inputs with their own mix master level control
- Special Protector Circuit
- Walnut simulated wooden cabinet
- Main Pre In and Out
- Speakers Selector System 1, 2, 3, or 1+2 or 1+3
- Inputs Aux 1, Aux2, Tape A, Tape B, and Phono
- FM Detector Output