Name: Sansui sr-838
Brand: Sansui

A direct drive turntable with quartz-locked speed accuracy from Sansui’s high-end lineup.

Overview

The Sansui SR-838 is a direct drive turntable manufactured by Sansui Electric Co., Ltd., featuring an electronically controlled direct drive system and a quartz servo lock for exceptional speed stability. It was positioned alongside the SR-929 as one of Sansui’s finest turntable models. The operation controls are concentrated on the front panel, and the unit has a thick piano finish that underscores its premium build.

Specifications

Drive system	Electronically controlled direct drive
Motor	DC brushless servo motor
Turntable diameter	318 mm
Turntable material	Aluminum Alloy Die-cast
Wow and flutter	0.025% or less (WRMS)
Signal-to-noise ratio	64 dB or higher (IEC-B)
Rotational speed deviation	Within ±0.002% (Quartz Servo ON)
Effective arm length	230mm
Overhang	16.1mm
Tonearm mass	medium mass
Cartridge type	MM Type (SV-45)
Cartridge frequency characteristic	10 Hz to 20 kHz
Cartridge output voltage	3mV
Cartridge proper needle pressure	1.5 ~ 2g
Feature	Quartz lock feature
External dimensions	Width 490 x Height 167 x Depth 390 mm
Weight	12.8kg
Original price	¥63,000 (around 1977)

Design

The SR-838 uses a quartz servo system with a crystal oscillator circuit to achieve extremely high-precision rotation. It features a mass-concentrated tonearm with a reinforced fulcrum and a special cylinder for the rotating shaft. The operation mechanism is front-concentrated, and the cabinet has a thick piano finish.

Context

The SR-838 and SR-929 are considered among the best turntables Sansui ever built. The SR-636 is a similar model but lacks the Quartz lock feature. Sansui made significant contributions to turntable design, with models like the SR-929 and SR-838 competing with the best from Thorens and Technics.

Market

Market price in 2013 ranged from ~$400 to over $1000 on eBay. Common problems include electronic speed control issues due to circuit complexity and parts availability, as well as potential transformer failure or shorts from foreign objects. Recapping—replacing all electrolytic capacitors—is a commonly recommended maintenance procedure for aged units. It was widely praised for its design, build quality, sound, and reliability, and some magazines used it as a reference test table.