mikeikeike
New Member
i was just wondering what everyones thoughts are with these TT's. they looks nice and simple.
would you compare them with any other TT ?
would you compare them with any other TT ?
thoughts on U-Turn Orbit Turntables
- Thread starter mikeikeike
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MRL_Audio
RIP 2022
Like the search function here @mikeikeike . There are plenty of threads on this topic already. Did you bother to look?
Andre Garcia
“WITHOUT MUSIC, LIFE WOULD BE A MISTAKE”
Those are good and work fine, you can upgrade them easily. my advice is never compare because each one has its own sound, is up to you to find the one you like.
AG.
Lavane
Lunatic Member
I have the Orbit Custom without phono preamp. It's setup in a second system. Two things I don't like about it.
I don't like the hinges. They are just folding pieces of plastic and you have to hold it up for a bit or the dust cover will just slam down. The belt didn't last very long either. I put the belt on the other pully to play a 45 and the belt stretched and didn't spring back when put back on the smaller pully. It just fell off the platter. If playing 45's I would buy a second belt. Other than that, it works and sounds ok. But do read through some of the other links posted before buying.
I don't like the hinges. They are just folding pieces of plastic and you have to hold it up for a bit or the dust cover will just slam down. The belt didn't last very long either. I put the belt on the other pully to play a 45 and the belt stretched and didn't spring back when put back on the smaller pully. It just fell off the platter. If playing 45's I would buy a second belt. Other than that, it works and sounds ok. But do read through some of the other links posted before buying.
Lavane
Lunatic Member
I agree, or even the Fluence with the better cartridge.
patient_ot
Super Member
The nicest thing I can say about them is that they probably won't damage your records. They are basically a toy, like a lot of stuff in the same price range, unfortunately. A lot of people like them because of the backstory, the price, and that they come in different colors. Kinda hard to recommend anything that cannot meet basic NAB standards though. Note also the value prop drops like a rock as you start adding expensive options on them. At some point you are right at price point where you can get a nice vintage deck and have money left over, or even halfway to a much better brand new deck.
Harsh comments from posters, most of whom never owned an Orbit. I owned a Walnut Special Orbit and it was a very good turntable but not without issues. As far as the sound from a turntable that sells new starting under $200, good luck finding one that sounds better. The Orbit is well engineered and sounds great IMO.
Negatives are that it is a very lightweight piece and requires reasonable finesse to operate, something which plenty of users don't possess. The head shell is fixed, so inveterate cartridge switchers find it annoying compared to tonearms with removable head shells. The cover has to be opened with care because of the hinges. It's not delicate but it's also not an SL-1200 tank that would survive hammer blows.
The positives of mine were that it looked great, sounded really good and their customer service, provided directly by U-Turn themselves, is first rate. An email sent in the morning will likely be answered by lunch time, probably by one of the founders of the company. That is not an exaggeration. I have never heard of them not taking great care of their customer base.
I never had issues with the belt and the turntable was solidly reliable for the several years I owned it. Some are turned off by its lightweight construction but I never was. Again, while the solid-hardwood models cost more, their basic turntables start at UNDER $200. I love it that they offer a turntable, brand new, that works well and sounds great, for so little, made in Boston from American components, and answer their mail directly. I wish there was more love for them on AK.
Negatives are that it is a very lightweight piece and requires reasonable finesse to operate, something which plenty of users don't possess. The head shell is fixed, so inveterate cartridge switchers find it annoying compared to tonearms with removable head shells. The cover has to be opened with care because of the hinges. It's not delicate but it's also not an SL-1200 tank that would survive hammer blows.
The positives of mine were that it looked great, sounded really good and their customer service, provided directly by U-Turn themselves, is first rate. An email sent in the morning will likely be answered by lunch time, probably by one of the founders of the company. That is not an exaggeration. I have never heard of them not taking great care of their customer base.
I never had issues with the belt and the turntable was solidly reliable for the several years I owned it. Some are turned off by its lightweight construction but I never was. Again, while the solid-hardwood models cost more, their basic turntables start at UNDER $200. I love it that they offer a turntable, brand new, that works well and sounds great, for so little, made in Boston from American components, and answer their mail directly. I wish there was more love for them on AK.
JesusChrysler
...drives a Dodge ; )
They are just fine.
I play mine with my toy Klipsch speakers.
I used to sit at the adult table with my Chorus II's; alas I'm enjoying the card table.
Matt
I play mine with my toy Klipsch speakers.
I used to sit at the adult table with my Chorus II's; alas I'm enjoying the card table.
Matt
Lavane
Lunatic Member
My only real gripe for the price is the hinges. The belts are cheap enough if a new one is needed. But after playing one side of a LP 45, the belt shouldn't have stretched out to the point it was no longer useful for playing 33 1/3 LP's.
It's quiet enough and sounds decent for the price though.
@63pontiacgp I'm curious about your thoughts, you owned one at one point.
KentTeffeteller
Gimpus Stereophilus!
I'd go AT-LP 120X over Fluances. That said, the U-Turn is a good budget turntable.
Aren't Rega hinges pretty much the same? I have never seen the U-Turn hinges up close but they sound just like the ones on my Planar 2 and 3.
Lavane
Lunatic Member
I haven't seen a Rega up close. I would rather have something like a lip around the dust cover to cover the base and just lift the dust cover off when using the turntable than have those hinges on the U-Turn. The U-Turn sounds good to me for what it is though.
MRL_Audio
RIP 2022
I owned and was one of the first buyers of this table. I’d have to go look but I think it was a Kickstarter campaign that caught my attention. Mine had an acrylic platter. Regardless, the table was a pleasure to use and I never had an issue with it. Never needed to use customer service so I can’t comment there but have read plenty of positives. I was not a fan of the included cartridge but changing it out was a simple affair. I bought because these guys were a US startup with a vision of what they wanted to become. Largely they have executed to date. Like to see them expand the line to a higher end model but they do not seem to want that at this point. Have no problem recommending them to folks that want to get their first table.
Tim 700
Active Member
I had some trouble with a popping sound that happened every minute or so, tried everything until I removed cartridge one time and replaced and it mysteriously stopped. It operates great now, I like it. I've put my audio $$ in other places since I don't listen to records all that often.
Lavane
Lunatic Member
What cartridge came with the earlier versions? Mine came with an Ortofon OM5.
Torontoblue
AK Lurker
Absolutely no complaints with my 7 year old Orbit. Got the acrylic platter upgrade, and recently stuck a Shure M91ED on. It has totally brought the deck to life!! Never had an issue with the belt or hinges.
