I've owned four different U-Turn Plus over the last couple of years with different cartridges on each table for comparison. These are excellent, affordable tables. Quiet. Simple. Sound fantastic. The customer service they offer is excellent as well. Hope this company keeps going and going. Cool to see them expand their line.
I'm jealous of that aluminum cueing device! I got their Delrin one on my U-Turn Orbit two years ago and it works fine, but man, solid aluminum would be cool.
Steve is the ultimate advocate for the non-millionaire audiophile. He gets to the nitty-gritty of anything he touches on. Very sharp and not fooled by price. I'll never forget the Stereophile interview with a luxury cable "manufacturer", that formerly was the distributor for another very well known manufacturer of similar. Steve hit on every question, that no one in that genre, ever wants to be asked. The things that we all want to know. I will not comment further, and suggest finding said interview, as it's very enlightening. God Bless you Steve. You are a hero to so many.
Absolute Mahvelous Turntable Review. American made to boot! Seemingly a rare commodity in this contemporary marketplace. That alone gives this turntable a special place on “the shelf”. A Very stylish and elegant design unlike many other “industrial looking machines” this one combines engineering with style. 👍🏻
I got a Q. All these fancy acrylic platters look cool but I thought an advantage to a metal platter, like I have, was the inertia of the rotating thick metal platter helped maintain low wow and flutter. My TT is from the 80s. The metal platter could be accused of "ringing" compared to plastic, but they generally have a thick rubber type mat that would dampen any of that, I would think.
I've got one of those with my U-Turn Orbit Special a couple years ago. The acrylic platter is pretty HEAVY so it would have as much inertia as most metal ones (I have an old Technics TT for comparison). I like both, but thought the acrylic just added a nice touch to the Orbit. (I even put some LED strips underneath it for fun)...Like you, I never found any "ringing" with the metal one on the Technics. A plastic or cork mat dampens that just fine I think.
Totally into this new U-Turn turntable now. What I dig about Steve is his music selection - fabulous / and brother, dont mean this in a bad way, you remind me of a friend that went to Woostock and never came back completely!😂😂
Steve, you need to get the excellent 2x45rpm version of 'Get Happy', that Columbia pressing you're still using is sonically a pale ghost of what's on the master tape.
It's not that I hate my 1987 vintage $450 USD (1980's) Cambridge Audio phono, but I don't feel compelled to fire it up for a listening session like I do with my Pro-Ject CD player. Not even after a professional cleanup-setup a few years ago. Maybe this could be "the turntable for me" and my 300 LPs?
Just a quick correction on VTA adjustment capabilities of Rega tone arms, there is a solution available for purchase, but it is a PITA. You can buy these (what appears to be) plastic rings of varying thicknesses that allows height adjustment of the tonearm. Getting it set up requires the removal of the tonearm (on most) to add the ring(s). "No fun, but it works". IMHO, it's most hassle than it's worth.
THE INTERVIEWS - advice from a NOVICE to other Audio-NOVICES. .... If you have teetered away from the INTERVIEWS, you are missing the most valuable part of the Audiophiliacs arsenal of learning tools. Purchase I made in the Service in the 1970s are no longer a mystery purchase because of the Knowledge passed on in those Interviews. AND Purchases I've made both for USED and NEW equipment re-building an Analog System now are easier to make because of the value of Steve's Interviews. .... for what it's worth to others I encourage you to Listen to all of the Interviews if you have an AUDIOPHILE Desire to learn about Playback Analog Systems - m.
I have to wonder how much of your enjoyment of the Orbit Theory was attributable to the Ortofon 2M Blue. I have one on a Rega RP1 turntable, and the 2M Blue definitely punches above it's weight. It's a lively and detailed cartridge, it's only drawback being a little high on surface noise. I'm amazed Fluance sells the RT85 with a 2M Blue for $499.
not as good as the goldring 1006 that is a much superior cartridge especially with soundstage and clarity and is a little bit cheaper, give it a go you'd be happily surprised.
I’m doubtful of the accuracy of the claim that this turntable is available with a solid walnut plinth unless it adds a considerable upcharge. That would likely be cost-prohibitive given the cost of solid walnut wood. If the plinth is solid wood it’s much more likely to be another wood with walnut veneer. The likely upcharge for a solid walnut plinth would be out of proportion for a turntable in this price range. Another concern would be the potential sonic benefit of a solid walnut plinth over MDF which is known to be relatively effective at minimizing resonances.
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac thanks for your prompt response Steve, I don’t doubt you were just repeating the manufacturer’s claim. Let’s see if they actually state this claim on their website. No information is presently available there for this specific turntable.
May I add? BOTH the current wood offerings from UTurn have ALWAYS BEEN from solid wood slabs! Check out their catalog on the website to see the wood options explained ! Thanks.
Please read my statement to hopefully end your doubt about the solid wood plinth options. Always have been SOLID. Take a look at their website for VERY DESCRIPTIVE writings on their products. You can CALL THEM to remove any doubt from their claims should you wish............thanks.
I do see on their website that they offer a solid walnut plinth on their Custom turntable for a $100 upcharge. I stand corrected (and somewhat surprised). I hope someone reading who has it can comment on it.
I really appreciate the fact that the turntable is designed and built in the US at $1000. I'd be curious to compare this deck to several other $1000 to $1500 turntables.
I always wonder when someone uses the description, "massive sound stage". Seldom do studio recordings exist in a huge area. Typically they're small acoustically treated rooms which in no way imitate a live performance. They're designed to allow the recording to be an accurate representation of the instrument and vocals. Often times, the vocals, at least the backup is performed and recorded in a booth, also specifically designed to pick up the nuances of the vocalist, while eliminating outside noises. Live performances do get a lot of room or open area ambiance , but often don't sound as good because there are so many areas of acoustical interference. To that end, it's fitting to ascribe, "massive sound stage", otherwise it's a general statement that says little about how it was recorded, just how we perceive it while listening.
Yeah they mix it to have a good sound stage after they get the accurate recording. A lot of times they are just recording one track at a time and throwing them together in a DAW. They want it to sound natural, not like a recording studio
Good review! I got a U-Turn Orbit Special a couple years ago with the Ortofon 2m Red. Planning on getting a 2m Blue stylus maybe next year. Everyone says it is a significant upgrade. Loved buying a TT made in the U.S.A. Nothing against Fluance or Technics or anyone else, but it felt good. (I have an old Technics in the den). Still wish more of the "affordable" TTs would adopt a removable headshell design though. As you noted in a previous video it allows you to "roll" cartridges so much easier plus keep a cheap one ready to play used or yard sale vinyl you pick up cheap before trusting it to your more expensive cart.
@@hoobsgroove I'll check it out, but one thing the 2m Blue has going for it is that it is a simple 1 minute replacement of the stylus (uses the same cartridge as the 2m Red) so I don't have to fool with installing another cart and adjusting it. But I'll check out the Goldring 1006. Thanks.
@@PaulRCote my 2m Red stylus only has about 250 hours on it, so I'll likely wait till next year, but that upgrade is definitely on my list. I'd be more up for trying other cartridges as people have recommended if my turntable had a removeable headshell, but it doesn't. And right now I don't have like an afternoon to devote to installing a new one, using the protractor tool, and doing all the fine adjustments necessary. Sadly I had a nice old Technics TT that did have a removeable headshell, but the motor died and there is no replacement for it. Currently I'm rocking an old circa 1980s Technics P-mount in my den and a U-Turn Orbit Custom in my living room. I have a cheap Audio-Technica cart on the Technics which is fine for playing used records I buy.
I'm old enough to remember using turntables back in the late 70s . I also remember the direct drive turntables being considered better than belt drive. This being the case why is this turntable being belt driven considered a good turntable?? I personally have a technics SL-1800 Direct Drive Turntable and it has a quarts reader on the turntable that you can view that guarantees the platter is spinning at the exact speed needed. I just don't see this being an option on newly manufactured turntables today. In my opinion an older turntable from the 70s are 8os will not only be cheaper financially but better quality as well.
I think that I would prefer the Marantz TT-15 Acrylic Turntable with the 1000 dollar Clear Audio Virtuoso Cartridge for 700 more. My U-turn Special with a Orto Blue was 549 and it does sound great but I would prefer an upgrade over the Blue for a grand!
Is this the best bang for your back at the moment for a turntable at $1,000? I have a U-Turn Plus and would love to know how the Theory compares to other turntables in the same price range!
Also, the center of the plate on the Orbit Theory is machined in such a way it fits the spindle like a glove. All the older models had simple hole in the center of the plate (19,2 mm in diameter) which had a little play against the spindle. The play shortened the distance between pulley and the plate and affected the speed of the plate (the smaller the distance the faster it turns). This new design is an improvement.
vinyl! cause mechanical engravings of someone else's DAC makes perfect sense. just like producing Kodak slides out from your digital iphone, then claim they are truer to the source. majority of vinyl been through digital processing since the mid 1980's (ask about the cutter's computer delay line)
Nice! A few years ago I was thinking about getting back into vinyl. So I bought an U-Turn Orbit custom with acrylic plater, tone arm lift and put a 2m Blue on it. I still own it but decided I was enjoying vinyl enough to move up to a VPI Prime Scout. I will always have a respect for U-Turn as they got me back on my vinyl journey. As you might see I like to deal with American companies.
Rega has spacers for vertical adjustment, in differences thickness (mm). So it is possible to fit around with different cartridges on a Rega deck! ✌️♥️🇩🇰
I wanted to be able to adjust my Rega arm on my Thorens TD-150MKII that Vinyl Nirvana tweaked. I had to do it under the arm inside the plinth. Not the easiest to adjust, but at least I can.
It is so good to see a very reasonably priced, well made TT made in the USA ! Too bad Schiit's Sol TT was been discontinued sometime ago due to manufacturing challenges I believe.
Steve, as far as build quality and features are concerned can you justify this over the SL-100C Technics now offers in the US market? For the same price you get that Technics coreless direct drive motor, removable headshell for easier cart swap, adjustable VTA, and an auto lift feature. I can see how the Ortofon Blue, acrylic plinth, adjustable feet, and the built-in preamp for only +$70 are great offerings, but if I'm someone who's new to records with $1k budget I gotta go the Technics all the way.
nice looking turntable. Over priced and belt drive. I prefer direct drive. And for the love of god, The prices for Hi Fi equipment is totally outrageous...
I love your reviews, your delivery, and the old school experience and perspective you bring. I graduated HS in 81. I dreamed about gear. I could not afford the high end stuff, but I hung out at Radio Shack all the time. They had some pretty good stuff too. I wish you would cover vintage gear in addition to new gear and compare. However, this is the golden age of audio in my opinion. I have a lot of Schitt gear and the quality and sound is amazing.
What does Vinyl Rule ? The highest ratio of time spent NOT listening to music for any given listening session ? Highest liability of something BREAKING like expensive stylus ? The concept of your media and Playback gear having a duty life that eventually wears out ?? Vinyl rules liability and lost time.
Solid wood has it's disadvantages. Especially at the thickness used for turntables. Reactive to humidity and temperature, can warp, expands and contracts more than man made substrates. I have the original Orbit and really dislike the hum from the AC motor. Doesn't come through while playing, but just annoys me. I would have to hear the Theory to hear how less the noise is. You also have to be careful with the dust lids. Too aggressive opening and it will come off the base.
This review is making me pine for a turntable that is more user friendly and easy to operate. I have a Marantz TT-15 turntable and everything about it is a pain. Turning it on requires reaching behind the motor, changing speeds requires manually putting the belt on a different grove in the pulley, the tonearm weight turns on a flimsy rubber washer, the stylus lifter is a thin piece of metal.... and on and on. Oh and so far, doesn't sound that great either :). So yes, usability matters.
Was glad to see U-Turn finally have one that doesn't require messing with (and maybe accidentally stretching) the belt to change speeds. A definite improvement for them.
I'm happy to see U Turn design something more substantial, but I absolutely despise the bright sounding 2M Blue (Plus the IGD of the whole 2M series is untamable as far as I can tell). Why every OEM is obsessed with the 2M line, I don't get it. The Audio Technica VM520EB costs less, tracks and sounds better. If you really wanted to go all US, put a Grado Red 3 on it.
i have an orbit plus with a grado black on it for the past couple years. the igd is driving me insane. i was about to buy a 2m blue or bronze just to get rid of igd (or just upgrade to this theory) but after seeing this comment, i'm hesitant lol. i'll look into the AT.
@@meeee32156 I think you will enjoy that microline. I’m just not a fan of the 2M line and it’s cornering the OEM stock option market. They seem to be included with everything.
@@CliffForster got it all setup and listened through some records. The igd on the last couple tracks on albums are gone. Vocals are so much more clear. Maybe less bassy than the grado black, but just turned my sub up a little. Thanks! Super happy with the purchase. Can focus on the music now instead of thinking how awful the last couple songs are per side haha
@@meeee32156 I actually have a VM95ML that I used for awhile, and despite heaving it's harder to properly calibrate for a microline, I found it easier to set up, more forgiving, and as you noticed, it tracks the inner grove much better. My current turntable is an Audio Technica LP7. It's really great value, I do wish I had a US made table though.
Our so-called "midfi" today is better than the "high fi" of 30 years ago, so there is that to consider...and the prices allowing for inflation over those years are relatively amazing.
Are you kidding me - its 2022 and the 21st century, men walked on the moon over 50 years ago and you want to sell me on a ($1,000-!!!!) turntable built with a non-detachable headshell, no phono preamp ($70.00 extra-!!!), exposed belt, no auto stop or return & no anti- skate -??. Also a lot of the sound qualities youre extolling are directly attributable to the Ortofon cartridge not the turntable. Im hearing a lot of audiophile snake oil talk about a decent quality but minimal feature table. Id rather spend $250 to $500 on a nice Fluance turntable with a lot more features such as a preamp, removable heads hell, auto stop and have more money in my pocket for new records. Or as another comment suggested youre also very near the cost of a Technics 1500 or other similar quality tables, too many better options out there to settle for this without having a good look around first. Its still very much like previous orbit offerings in design. You should be selling bathing suits in the Antarctic, I think you could pull it off.
Just another piece of cheap-o junk. Still an external belt drive instead of the belt driving a sub-platter for better isolation. Then there is the cheap-o straight tone arm. Why not have a "J" or "S" style tone arm with a removable head shell so that you can easily swap head shells with pre-mounted different cartridges. I look at my 1948 Capehart record changer which has a "J" style tubular metal tone arm with a removable head shell. When you look around, you see the Technics 1200 turntables with all having "S" style tubular metal tone arms and removable and interchangeable head shells . When Technics redesigned and tweaked the 1200 series, they stuck with the "S" style tone arm. It just doesn't pencil out that a premium turntable would have a stick for a tone arm. Then there are the U-Turn turntables which I regularly find in thrift stores for $50. I myself, with 3 of my main turntables all having "S" style tubular metal tone arms which use interchangeable universal head shells, I regularly use 9 different cartridges mounted in their own head shells because, like turntables, records are not all the same and are best played with certain cartridges. The U-Turn Orbit turntables have always made me laugh and reminds me of something that Fisher-Price would sell in a toy store.
I'd still buy an old 1210 M5G. Which is what I have. But I did pay a lot less than what they are going for currently. Still, I'd say a much superior table than the Orbit, or cheap Pro-jects, Regas and the like. This Orbit appears to be a bit of Rega knock-off. $1000 is quite too much a chunk of change for this thing. At $550-600 maybe they have something.
I love U-Turn for their great customer service and mostly US made products but this one seems like a hard sell. I feel like for this price range it should feature a way to adjust VTA and not having a Grado cartridge seems like a miss also.
Thank you Steve for a nod to a fine table made right here in Massachusetts! I ordered the Orbit Custom in White with M2 Blue. Wonderful / young little company that get's it right for a great price! Great support when you have questions too! And THAT, is from a long time Rega RP-6 owner (O:
I had the Rega P10 actually and the Apheta3 cartridge died in less than 30 days. Reluctantly, I returned it after the dealer questioned my integrity.. :(
@@ptg01 Thanks for adding your Rega experience. I will tell you, they are not perfect! First thing I changed out was the sub-platter! Brand new out of the box, WOBBLE! Had to go, hello Grove Tracer. Exact 2 cartridge lost LEFT channel after a short bit of use. Rega covered it, sent a new one thanks to negotiations via Music Direct. For the hang of it, decided all these years later to see what UTurn was all about. After I compared the two tables side by side. I found the Exact 2 cart to be lacking stereo width AND clarity. AND, a left channel that was weak!! Here we go again. So, since I fell in love with the M2 Blue on my new UTurn, I took my Rega to my local dealer last month, and had them mount an M2 Blue. The Rega came with spacers which was a BIG surprise!, so the cart went right on and now, the two tables sound the same. In relation to your comment, there is my dealing with my beloved Red RP-6 for you (O:
@@garysmith8455 So sad to see such highly regarded, (P3, P6, P8, P10 etc) and at times stratospherely priced TT's so problematic. So interesting to hear your experience that the Ortofon 2MBlue on either table sounds the same to you. I've always thought cartridges makes the BIGGEST difference $ for $... I love the sound of the Apheta3 on the P10 but left channel also died in less than 30 days (less than 10 hours of play). This really should not happen and treatment I got from dealer broke the deal. I am very sad to get away from Rega amidst all its hype. Heck, I even have Roy Gandy's Vibration Measuring Machine book !
@@ptg01 Yes, I agree, I have always felt that if you put a great cartridge (and you don't have to spend the huge $$$). Just spin it quietly, with decent speed specs and away you go. ONE MORE THING. I noted also that as you get closer to the last tracks on an LP, the Exact 2 would actually begin to PICK UP the frequency of the drive motor under the platter!! No one talks about that, but it is there. The UTurn with it's motor mounted outside the platter doesn't suffer from this. Yet, a 2K Rega does. I just live with it )O:
I’ve had a Rega Planar 3 for almost a year with 2M Bronze cart going through a Schiit Mani 2. Very, very nice (though I’ve run into an issue with the Ortofon cartridge recently). I played Get Happy the other day and I couldn’t love that record more, especially now. I made a hand tinted photo of Elvis from one of his shows back in the early 80s that he later signed when I saw him about 20 years later. Also have a bunch of John Fahey, but all on CD. Bummer. That U-Turn looks great and would’ve been a prime contender if it was around when I bought the Rega.
So, basically, U-Turn has entered the entry level HiFi market. Upscaled its best turntable to the $1K realm. Certainly an interesting move. But the jury is out till we see how this sells. Who is the market for this. U-Turn started off as a maker that targeted the first time buyer and some of the youthful hipsters getting into the hobby. Fluance's market was somewhat the same. But U-Turn had more and hipper colors, etc. Will people be willing to pay two or more fold, for what is obviously a better player, but beginning to get a little pricey? Time will tell. As for me, I'm really not a TT jockey. I have a couple of OLD vintage tables around here with original Shure carts that don't get as much play as perhaps they should. I spend much more time with my digital sources.
Hey Steve, I have 2 current U-Turn Orbits...one bought in their first year, and newer one thats updated with the Ortofon Blue. (I have a Shiit Mani external amp). They are great turntables, but my biggest problem seemed to be low hum when playing at high levels, or quieter music pieces. How big of an upgrade is this new motor and is it definably quieter?
Looks good👍 Could not stand the old U-Turns.... The Silver Tonearm always looked like it should be on a Crosley.... also that logo on the left looked like a sign you on the side of the road driving thru the country🤔🤔 Thumbs up U-Turn... looks great....
The review comments on “knob feel”, the use of metal in the cueing arm and the use of real oak or walnut are important and all add to the “analog” nature of this turntable. Playing records is a physical process - you handle a record, turn on the deck, set the arm in place. cue it up, etc.. The feedback in this process is part of the overall experience. This turntable seems to have lots of great user feel and involvement. I like that. Turning a machined, knurled knob is a better experience than reaching below and snapping a plastic switch. Plastic and painted mdf certainly gets the job done (and may be technically “better” depending on the measurement criteria), but ignores the beauty of real materials. This is a nice turntable and I’d love to own one.
ok gotta say this looks great always loved the way they made their tonearms and this one looks different but the same its unique love the solid wood base and finally they put a groove in platter to keep belt from slipping off ,adjustable feet is also a great idea ,made in america fantastic idea ,although not in the market for a TT and if i had heard of u-turn when i needed a TT i would have gone to them ,got a pro-ject debut 3 ,audio technica LP 120 usb this has adjustable feet easy to level ,and several old style TT .s ,the only thing 900.00 dollars for a TT manual ,i don't know got to think about that price
they're actually done a U-turn u-turn 😂😂 get rid of that cartridge for a start you try it with any other cartridges? that wouldn't be true it's not vertically adjustable vta, there will be a set screw or screws to do this. if it's uni pivot you just need to adjust the nuts
I liked your video about the Uturn turntable. I have a linear drive turntable which the diamond needle doesn't groove or destroy the pvc on the album like other turntables do! It in perfect line with the grooves in the album.you hear no pops or any noise from a perfectly cleaned older album. I absolutely enjoy the liner drive turntables!
I WONDER: How well this Turntable does compared to Less costing $500 to $1000 dollar DJ Tables such as Audio Technica - Pioneer - and few other well-known brands? I bought the Audio Technica LP140 and I've been happy with it for the last 2 months. .... On the other hand my new Vinyl Freak friends on RU-vid kind of look down their nose at me for that purchase. .... Steve, I know recently you fell in love with a NON-Traditional turntable (Technic 1200G.) So, maybe Steve you might have a different opinion of Value between the non-Traditional Turntables and those tables like U-Turn Orbit made more with traditional Audiophile engineering? ..... What do you think? - m.
The LP140 is a solid choice and you have the benefit of a removable headshell. Much to be said for that. It allows you to have at least two. Maybe one with a cheap cartridge on it for testing used and thrift store vinyl purchases before trusting your more expensive cartridge to them. Audio Technica does a very good job at their price points. Hold your head up!
Ive had my Denon DP-45F for several decades, and Im running a Denon 103 MC Cartridge with it. I do like the sound of it, but have not done any side by side comparisons. Would it have any chance of sounding as good as any newer turntable with the latest technology?
I'm not a vinyl aficionado. It's been a long time. But I remember when my father bought a good turntable in the late 80s, and at that time a linear-tracking tonearm was the big improvement. Now it seems like decent turntables all have the swivel tonearm. Has linear-tracking been abandoned? Did advancements in design obviate the advantages of linear-tracking so that it's not needed anymore? Thanks.
Yes and no, advances in standard tone arms did sort of make it obsolete but to be honest with you linear tracking was kind of a fad and it really only caught on in the high end where some German companies believe it's the best thing ever. I kind of feel the main reason it didn't catch on was because of most of the companies making it principally technics and the like used p-mount style cartridges which were fine but not many cartridge manufacturers adopted the standard. so it kind of left you with out any cartridge options other than what technic sold, but overall I've had a few of the '80s style turntables that were meant to sort of fit in a cabinet kind of like the drawer loading style and they're fine and they all feature linear tracking arms just because of the way they're designed. but I think it's also a complexity thing as well like it's way more complicated and to hit a certain price point and make the thing reliable was something maybe they were unable to do over time. like go on eBay and look up '80s linear tracking turntables and I almost bet you 90% of them that you find will have problems with them.
Former record store owner here and I can answer this: The guide mechanism that the linear arm slid across on vintage linear tracking TT's introduced a lot of mistracking and distortion of its own. They also had a high mechanical-failure rate, forcing you to buy a new turntable every few years! Your best bet on a modern deck is a 12" radial-tracking arm (to get the lowest possible tracking error), instead of the usual 9" - 10.5" radial arms.
@@thomosburn8740 Right Great answer but let me ask where is one supposed to get for $1,000 a ready to go turntable with a 12-in tonearm? I mean to add further to your comment my personal favorite under a thousand turntable and I've had a few of them still remains the planar one. I mean you can get the two and if you're willing to buy used you can buy the three. But the planar one really is the sweet spot for great sound from a turntable under a thousand bucks. Above that I think it kind of splits in my opinion, on the one hand you have the technics which is a great turntable and you have what I have now is clear audio.