Sansui SR-838 Stereo Integrated Turntable


The Sansui SR-838 was a quality direct drive turntable in high gloss black lustre finish
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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).



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