Sansui SR-838
Vintage & classic turntables · 1978–? Discontinued
$500–$950 typical US used price
Sansui's quartz-servo direct-drive flagship of the late 70s, with a massive plinth, heavy platter and sophisticated damped arm. A statement piece from the golden age of Japanese turntable engineering.
The big Sansui collectors hunt — flagship 70s Japanese direct drive with the looks to match.
Good to know
- No built-in phono stage — use an amplifier with a phono input or add a separate phono preamplifier.
- This is a used-market purchase. Ask about condition, originality and service history, especially the belt, bearing and stylus.
Specifications
| Drive | direct drive |
|---|---|
| Speeds | 33/45 rpm |
| Built-in phono stage | No |
| USB output | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Platter | aluminium, heavy |
| Tonearm | Sansui S-shaped arm with dynamic damping |
| Years | 1978–? |
Cartridge and replacement stylus
The fitted cartridge is not mapped to a verified replacement part. See the model-specific stylus guidance →
Where to buy the Sansui SR-838
4 US retailers handle used or discontinued decks like this — each outbound link searches the deck on that retailer’s site.
| Retailer | Type | Shipping | Product search |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guitar Center | music retail | Free standard shipping on most orders $25+. | View at Guitar Center ↗ |
| Reverb | used marketplace | Shipping set per seller; many listings ship free within the US. | View at Reverb ↗ |
| Upscale Audio | hifi independent | Free USA shipping on orders over $99 (exclusions for oversized items). | View at Upscale Audio ↗ |
| eBay | marketplace | Shipping set per seller; many listings ship free within the US. | View at eBay ↗ |
Compare it
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