Sansui SR838 VS Pioneer PL550

[Magas]

I have the opportunity to get one of these.
Which one is better regarding sound?
My cartridge is a Denon DL 103R.

 

[mythless]

I think I would take the Sansui.

Ideally (price pending) take both, try them both, sell one.

 

[subgenius]

Definitely the 'Sui.

The SR-838 has a beautiful piano-gloss finish. It is well-built with a heavy phenolic-plastic/metal tray base (not cheap), and sounds great!
PL-550's can sound pretty good, but the wood-grain vinyl seems cheap by comparison.

 

[flavio81]

I have the opportunity to get one of these.
Which one is better regarding sound?
My cartridge is a Denon DL 103R.

The Pioneer has what I think is a better tonearm and better construction. Moreover the tonearm is on an amboard, it enables it to be replaced it in the future.

Also, Sansui never was too much into turntables, all their turntables are subcontracted work.

SR838 underside

Now lets look at these pics of the PL550:

The motor has a beautiful casting, quality work here, it's a genuine Pioneer part (AFAIK Sansui never built a direct drive motor by themselves)

The control electronics are inside a faraday cage shielding to avoid producing interference outside. A nice touch.

I would definitely go for the Pioneer.

 

[Magas]

Wow. Thank you very much for your answers. And specially to Flavio for taking the time to illustrate us with very specific technical points.
Being myself quality orientated I will go for the Pio eer. Which by the way is closer to me.

 

[Magas]

Just one more question. How could I improve the PL 550 performance?

 

[flavio81]

Just one more question. How could I improve the PL 550 performance?

As mentioned by the Sansui supporters, perhaps the wood base of the Pioneer is somewhat thin. It would be great to remount the whole turntable on a thicker wood base, but of course this is a DIY project since the circuitry would need to be removed and then mounted again on the new base.

 

[CrSens]

Just one more question. How could I improve the PL 550 performance?

You could improve on it by getting the Sansui instead

 

[flavio81]

Just one more question. How could I improve the PL 550 performance?

You can also coat the inner parts of the wood base with plasticine or pva-based-modeling-clay for an acoustical improvement.

 

[flavio81]

You could improve on it by getting the Sansui instead

Then you can improve on the Sansui by getting a Lenco or a near-TOTL Sony, Denon direct drive turntable.

 

[CrSens]

Then you can improve on the Sansui by getting a Lenco or a near-TOTL Sony, Denon direct drive turntable.

Yes, I know the tired old story, Lenco, Denon, etc.....