Speeds | 33, 45 RPM |
Type of operation | Manual |
Drive method | Direct drive (quartz servo controlled) |
Motor | 20 pole, 30 slot DC brushless type with built-in frequency generator |
Wow & Flutter (claimed) | 0.025% (WRMS) |
Platter Material | Aluminium alloy |
Platter weight (Kg) | 1.7 |
Platter mat material | Rubber |
Standard arm | Yes, S-shaped with SME type detachable headshell |
Dust Cover | Yes, acrylic, hinged |
Stroboscope | Yes |
Fine speed adjustment | Yes |
Width x Height x Depth (cm) | 49.0 x 16.7 x 39.0 |
Weight (Kg) | 12.8 |
When manufactured | 1978 to 1980 |
UK new price | around £250 |
eBay price guide (full working order and in good, clean condition) | Anywhere between £220 and £400 |
ClassicHiFi.info Rating | |
Rarity |
The SR-838 was near the top of Sansui's turntable range of 1979. It was a quartz-locked direct drive model with a plinth contructed from 1.5 inch thick chipboard finished in a lovelly jet black finish with a piano-like high gloss lustre with a contrasting silver coloured control panel. It relys on a rubber and coiled spring suspension system to provide isolation from external vibrations. The strobe pattern appearing on the lower part of the platter's rim is illuminated by a built in strobe lamp whose frequency is locked to that of the quartz oscillator. Since the strobe is always synchronised with a servo frequency, not with the AC power frequency, only one stroboscopic patten is needed. This has aesthetic and ergonomic benefits. The SR-838 also incorporates an electronic brake implemented by a special circuit in the servo system which generates a reverse drive current for the reverse drive torque to achieve rapid decelleration. This allows rapid, fuss free speed change while the platter is rotating. The Sansui SR-838 is very rare in the UK as most British audiophiles buying a turntable in it's price category tended to favour belt drive turntables (from manufacturers such as, Linn, Thorens, Ariston, etc.) due to brainwashing by the UK hi-fi magazines (you know who you are - shame on you!). These turntables appear only very rarely on eBay.co.uk (3 examples in the last 7 years). |
Image copyright Classichifi.info
Image copyright Classichifi.info
Image copyright Classichifi.info
Image copyright Classichifi.info
Image copyright Classichifi.info
Image copyright Classichifi.info
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