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 made by Sansui Electric Co., Ltd. It has an electronically controlled direct drive system and a quartz servo lock for very stable speed. Sansui positioned it alongside the SR-929 as one of its finest turntables. The controls are all on the front panel, and the cabinet has a thick piano finish.
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 hold the platter speed very precisely. The tonearm is mass-concentrated, with a reinforced fulcrum and a special cylinder for the rotating shaft. Operation 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 it lacks the Quartz lock feature. Sansui made significant contributions to turntable design, and the SR-929 and SR-838 competed with the best from Thorens and Technics.
Market
In 2013 the market price ranged from ~$400 to over $1000 on eBay. Common problems are electronic speed control faults, which come from the complex circuit and limited parts availability, and transformer failure or shorts caused by foreign objects. Recapping - replacing all the electrolytic capacitors - is a commonly recommended fix for aged units. The SR-838 was widely praised for its design, build quality, sound, and reliability, and some magazines used it as a reference test table.
Market Value
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ SANSUI SR-838 Nov 2026 │ ├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ High $950 Latest $367 │ │ Median $250 Trend — │ │ Low $13 Volume ~1/mo │ ├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ $1,000 ┤ │ │ │ . │ │ │ │ │ $571 ┤ │ │ │ │ │ │ . .│ │ │ . . │ │ $0 ┤. . │ │ ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────│ │ vol │█ █ █ █ █ █ █│ │ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────│ │ 2026-01 2026-04 2026-07│ └──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
eBay completed sales. Excludes accessories, parts, and non-working units. Hover points for details.
eBay Listings
Recently sold on eBay: $80–$367 (median $250, based on 7 completed sales, past 12 months)
As an eBay Partner, we earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support our independent vintage technology research.
Related Models
- Sansui sax-200 (Late 1970s)
- Sansui sax-600 (Late 1970s)
- Sansui sr-2050c (1975-1977)
- Sansui sr-222 (1973-1975)
- Sansui sr-232 (1975-1977)