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#37 of 64 U-Turn Audio Orbit Special
U-Turn Audio · Ranked #37 of 64

U-Turn Audio Orbit Special

The U-Turn Audio Orbit Special hits a sweet spot for vinyl enthusiasts moving up from entry-level turntables.

Drive BeltSpeeds 33/45 rpmPreamp Built-inBluetooth YesSetup ~18 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 Special hits a sweet spot for vinyl enthusiasts moving up from entry-level turntables. With its upgraded Ortofon OM 5e cartridge, refined plinth construction, and switchable preamp, it delivers audiophile-leaning sound quality without a steep price jump. It's not loaded with modern conveniences like Bluetooth, but for purists focused on core audio performance, this is an excellent mid-tier choice.

▤

Specifications

Drive Type
Belt-drive
Cartridge
Ortofon OM 5e
Platter Material
Machined Aluminum
Speeds
33/45 RPM
Plinth Options
Acrylic or MDF
◎

On the bench

Wow & flutter
0.087%
S/N ratio
64 dB
Speed deviation
0.41%
Platter mass
1200 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

  • Noticeably better sound isolation than base Orbit model
  • Ortofon cartridge is a major upgrade over stock
  • Simple setup, ideal for turntable beginners
  • Solid build quality with premium plinth finish
  • Great value compared to similarly specced competitors

✕What we didn’t

  • No built-in Bluetooth or wireless streaming
  • Dust cover sold separately on some bundles
  • Basic tonearm lacks anti-skate fine adjustment
  • Limited color options for the acrylic plinth version
❝

What owners say

Marcus D.14 Feb 2024 ★★★★★

Huge upgrade from my old table

I came from a basic all-in-one turntable and the difference is night and day. The Ortofon cartridge really opens up the detail in my records. Setup took maybe 20 minutes.

Elena R.02 Mar 2024 ★★★★★

Great sound, wish it had more connectivity

Sound quality is fantastic for the price point. My only gripe is no wireless option for when I want to use my Bluetooth speakers casually.

Tom K.28 Jan 2024 ★★★★☆

Beautiful build and easy setup

The acrylic plinth looks stunning on my shelf. Balancing the tonearm was straightforward with the included instructions. Very happy with this purchase.

Priya S.10 Apr 2024 ★★★★★

Solid mid-range choice

Does everything I need as someone getting back into vinyl after years away. The preamp switch is convenient since my receiver doesn't have a phono input.

⇄

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