Thread revival here because I bought an Orbit Theory after having posted questions about it up thread back in 2022! Time flies huh? A few things to consider for those thinking about the Theory:
First, I am in no way connected to U-Turn but have now owned three of their turntables and followed their evolution.
1) U-Turn has drastically improved the drive system in this model even though it appears the same as the other Orbit models. They use an upgraded, larger motor with more torque, a new mounting system including a machined aluminum top plate and pulley. The motor is managed by a new speed control unit operated through a nice, round tactile user switch on the plinth that goes from off to 33 to 45. The belt is a new molded, seamless silicone unit. The acrylic platter is machined on all sides now and includes a belt groove, so installing the belt is now a trivial matter. The platter also sits on a machined aluminum subplatter/spindle on their inverted bearing.
2) The tonearm is the same one-piece tapered magnesium tonearm found on all of their Gen 2 models but is up-specced with higher quality all-stainless precision bearings and more rigid tonearm pillar. It includes a calibrated/spinning counter weight and a cool, low profile adjustable anti-skate system that's different from most I've seen before. Instead of using magnets or fishing line over a hook that dangles a weight, it has a small levered weight connected to the tonearm pivot via a very short throw of fishing line. It sounds the same as the systems in use on Pro-Ject and other machines, but the implementation is lower profile and ingenious IMO. These changes result in an extremely smooth arm in the hand and the lift is as nice as any I've ever used. Stainless lever, smooth drop, easy to adjust, just an overall pleasing tonearm that's a large improvement on their previous one.
3) The real hardwood walnut plinth is a thing of beauty and this turntable includes their iso-level feet which sandwich sorbothane between the aluminum upper body and the plinth, but then also have a threaded lower piece that makes height adjustment simple.
4) The cover is the same as their previous offerings; clear with 'Theory' badge/emblem on top. It uses the same 'infinity' plastic hinges as previous models but with better rest action once the hood is opened. In previous iterations, until those hinges broke in and loosened up the user had to be very careful to keep the lid from dropping. These latest hinges seem the same except that they easily allow the lid to get to the top-rest-opened position and remain there with confidence. A little thing but another usability factor that is improved.
All in all, this a much improved turntable from their previous generation. This Orbit competes with the best machines I've owned. When the machine is turned on with platter spinning, it is silent. I mean, ear almost touching the motor pulley and unable to hear anything at all kind of silent. Until I heard a completely silent plinth-mounted motor on a Rega I didn't believe it was possible. This matches that level of quiet. Quiet operation, quiet on stylus drop in, confidence-inspiring tonearm performance, the music jumps from a dark background, all of it. This is genuine high performance territory. I checked speed with a phone app and it runs on speed with an indicated .06% Wow. It's just a pleasing machine to use and quite the next iteration from U-Turn.
At least for now, it has displaced my Rega P6 as my main turntable and that it competes well with the P6 at all is testament enough. Now, the P6 is larger, more polished and an overall more 'luxurious' turntable to use. The RB-330 tonearm is world class. The multi-layer float glass platter is a wonderful thing. The tancast 8 sandwich plinth is really cool. The P6 is wonderful. It also costs $2,000 in 2025, so double the price of the Theory, and is from a company that has evolved and iterated its designs since 1973.
My heart is with U-Turn at this point. U-Turn was started by three friends in school. Made in the US from mostly US-origin parts. They do all of their own engineering and design. The wood for their plinths comes from trees in the Midwest. The new magnesium tonearm is made in Wisconsin. It's a little like watching a potential Rega evolve in their early years, here in the US. FWIW, it doesn't hurt that U-Turn hasn't raised prices appreciably, especially as tariffs are starting to bite buyers of other turntables. They still sell an excellent basic machine for $250. Their customer service is unparalleled. It's an easy company to root for.
Anyway, I really like the Theory and it's going to be a keeper for me.
