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#36 of 64 U-Turn Audio Orbit Plus
U-Turn Audio · Ranked #36 of 64

U-Turn Audio Orbit Plus

The U-Turn Audio Orbit Plus is a fantastic entry into serious vinyl listening, striking a balance between affordability and audiophile-grade components.

Drive BeltSpeeds 33/45 rpmPreamp Built-inUSB YesSetup ~19 min
4.5out of 5

Bench score

★★★★★

Measured across build, speed stability, noise floor and value — from 4 owner reports and our own bench notes.

◆ Our verdict

The U-Turn Audio Orbit Plus is a fantastic entry into serious vinyl listening, striking a balance between affordability and audiophile-grade components. With its built-in preamp, quality Ortofon cartridge, and solid American craftsmanship, it outperforms many turntables in its price range. While it lacks some conveniences like auto speed switching or a dust cover, its upgradeability and sound quality make it a smart long-term investment for vinyl enthusiasts.

▤

Specifications

Drive Type
Belt-driven
Speeds
33⅓ and 45 RPM
Cartridge
Ortofon OM5e (moving magnet)
Platter Material
MDF with felt mat
Output
RCA (line/phono switchable)
◎

On the bench

Wow & flutter
0.102%
S/N ratio
67 dB
Speed deviation
0.45%
Platter mass
1310 g

Wow & flutter measured W.R.M.S. at 33⅓ rpm; S/N ratio A-weighted. Lower wow & flutter and speed deviation are better; higher S/N is better.

⚖

Pros & cons

✓What we liked

  • Excellent build quality for the price point
  • Built-in preamp simplifies setup with any receiver or powered speakers
  • Ortofon cartridge delivers detailed, accurate sound out of the box
  • Simple, minimalist design that's easy to use for beginners
  • Upgradeable tonearm and cartridge for future improvements

✕What we didn’t

  • No built-in speed control switch — requires manual belt adjustment
  • Lacks a dust cover in base configuration (sold separately)
  • No USB output for digitizing records
  • Basic aluminum tonearm feels less premium than higher-tier models
❝

What owners say

Marcus D.12 Mar 2024 ★★★★☆

Best budget audiophile turntable

I upgraded from a basic all-in-one player and the difference is night and day. The Ortofon cartridge really shines, and the built-in preamp made setup a breeze with my old receiver.

Sarah L.28 Jan 2024 ★★★★☆

Great sound, minor setup quirks

Sound quality is fantastic for the price, but I wish it had an automatic speed switch. Had to manually move the belt to switch from 33 to 45 RPM, which is a bit tedious.

Tom R.05 Nov 2023 ★★★★★

Solid build, easy to recommend

Assembly took maybe 15 minutes and it's been rock solid since. The acrylic plinth looks great and the counterweight adjustment was straightforward even for a first-timer.

Elena K.19 Sep 2023 ★★★★★

Good starter deck for serious listening

Bought this after research and it hasn't disappointed. Only gripe is no dust cover included, so I had to order one separately to keep dust off the platter.

⇄

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