Sansui Turntable - Best one to own?

Unless you are set on a one brand system you can do much better elsewhere. The Sansui is likely an OEM from another company and I don't remember any of them being that good.

Like most Japanese hi-fi manufacturers in the late 60s, 70s and 80s Sansui offered a variety of turntables at different price points targeting different classes of users. While most models were rebranded stuff, some of the higher-end units were either manufactured by Sansui of contract manufactured to their specs. I do not believe that Sansui ever manufactured a tonearm, but OEM'd from sources such as Arco and Jelco.

The Sansui SR-838 and SR-929 turntables are excellent performers, especially in their price range. These were probably the best Japanese turntables available in that period, excepting the high-end Luxman decks (300 & 400 series). I prefer the 838 unit - it's a simpler design, is more available and costs a lot less. If you can solder I suggest rewiring the tonearm with Cardas wire (costs less than $30); makes a big difference. More information here:

The Best of Sansui - Turntables

@Br3098: Thank you. I see pics of the SR-838 there. Quite beautiful. I think that is the one that was posted here for sale some months ago, but I did not pull the trigger. No pics of the SR-929 -- is it that rare or more expensive than the 838? What should I expect to pay for a minty example of each one today? Anything unusual in the design of either that makes them interesting or troublesome?

@stanwal: Indeed, part of the fun is keeping the Sansui brand design aesthetic together. I dig the look.

Br3098's comment about the SR-929 being a good table, and a great table for the money (and probably best in the line) is spot on (IMHO). However, I would not agree that they are the best Japanese tables of the period. I prefer the Luxman 400/500 series mentioned (vs the SR-929), but there are many other tables from other mfrs which do better than the Sansui. However, many or most of them cost more too, meaning the Sansui has it's place even now.

@BR & @T-bone: Got any pics of the SR-929? None on line it seems...What are performance differences between 838 & 929? Both are direct drive, correct? Thank you!