Here is a new article in a U-Turn Orbit Plus Review below.
Contents
U-Turn Orbit Plus Review – Intro
If you’re in the market for a new record player, you may have come across the U-Turn brand and are wondering if the Orbit Plus is worth considering. In this review, I’ll take a closer look at the features and performance of the U-Turn Orbit Plus, and help you determine if it’s the right choice for your record-listening needs. I’ll cover everything from its build quality and design to its sound quality and ease of use. By the end of this review, you’ll have a good idea of whether the U-Turn Orbit Plus is the right turntable for you.
U-Turn Orbit Plus Specifications
- Motor: Belt-drive, AC synchronous
- Platter: Acrylic, 12 inches in diameter
- Speed: 33 1/3 RPM and 45 RPM (manual switch)
- Wow and Flutter: < 0.15%
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio: > 65dB
- Tonearm: Aluminum, statically balanced with adjustable counterweight
- Cartridge: Ortofon OM5e, elliptical diamond stylus
- Preamp: Onboard, switchable
- Outputs: RCA (phono or line level), 3.5mm mini-jack
- Power supply: External, 15V DC, 1.5A
- Dimensions: 16.5 x 14 x 4.5 inches (W x D x H)
- Weight: 12.5 pounds
You can download the manual here->U-Turn Orbit Plus Manual
What’s in the Box?
- AC Adapter
- RCA Cables
- Orbit Plus
- Dust Cover
- Felt Mat
U-Turn Orbit Plus Review – Build Quality
The U-Turn Orbit Plus turntable boasts a sleek and modern design, with a glossy black finish that adds a touch of sophistication to any home audio setup. The turntable is made from high-quality materials and feels sturdy and well-constructed. The plinth (base) is made from MDF (medium-density fiberboard), which is a dense and stable material that helps reduce vibrations and improve sound quality. The tonearm is made from aluminum, which is lightweight and durable, and the platter is made from acrylic, which is a clear, hard plastic that is resistant to scratches and provides a smooth, stable surface for the record to sit on. Overall, the build quality of the U-Turn Orbit Plus is excellent, and it feels like a turntable that will last for many years to come.
The manufacturer claims each turntable is assembled and tested manually. I believe they do this since this factory is established in the last few years so they can’t afford to mess around because the competition in this price range is huge.
Tonearm and Cartridge
The tonearm on the U-Turn Orbit Plus is a straight, high-quality tonearm made of aluminum. It is designed to be lightweight and easy to use, and it has a low-friction bearing that allows it to move smoothly and accurately across the record. The tonearm is also equipped with an adjustable counterweight and anti-skate adjustment, which help to ensure that the stylus (needle) is tracking the grooves of the record correctly and without skipping.
The cartridge on the U-Turn Orbit Plus is a Moving Magnet (MM) cartridge, which means that it uses a small magnet to generate an electrical current as it moves through the record’s grooves. The cartridge is mounted on the end of the tonearm and is responsible for converting the physical movement of the stylus as it follows the grooves of the record into an electrical signal that can be amplified and played through a speaker. The U-Turn Orbit Plus comes with a high-quality Ortofon OM 5E cartridge, which is known for its excellent sound quality and reliability.
In summary, the tonearm and cartridge on the U-Turn Orbit Plus turntable are high-quality components that are designed to work together to deliver excellent sound quality and a smooth, enjoyable listening experience.
I should mention that you have to place the stylus on the record manually, but more importantly, you have to be there to take it off the record as well. If not you can easily damage your expensive cartridge. These manual turntables require attention.
Tracking Force
The factory-adjusted tracking force of the U-Turn Orbit Plus turntable is 1.75 grams. This means that the tonearm has been calibrated at the factory to apply a downward pressure of 1.75 grams on the record as the stylus tracks the grooves. This is a relatively moderate tracking force that is suitable for most records and is designed to provide a good balance between sound quality and record wear.
It is important to note that the tracking force may need to be adjusted depending on the specific cartridge being used and the condition of the records being played. If you are using a different cartridge on your U-Turn Orbit Plus turntable, or if you are playing records that are in particularly good or poor condition, you may need to adjust the tracking force to ensure optimal performance. This can typically be done by adjusting the counterweight on the tonearm.
Connections and Preamp
The main (and only) connection option on the U-Turn Orbit Plus is a built-in phono preamp with RCA outputs, which allows the turntable to be connected directly to a line-level input on an amplifier or receiver. This means that you can simply connect the turntable to your amplifier using a standard RCA cable, and it will be ready to play. The built-in phono preamp allows the turntable to be used with any amplifier or receiver that does not have a dedicated phono input, or if you want to use the turntable for recording or DJing.
There is a switch on the back (right next to RCA outputs) where you can disable the internal preamp.
U-Turn Orbit Plus – Connections and Preamp Switch
Sound Test
The first impressions were positive, with a smooth, even tone that was endowed with delicacy and balance. I didn’t hear any of the standard cheap vinyl nastiness that digital fans always gripe about LP records. The absence of background noise, on the other hand, was astounding.
I listened to a number of my favorite songs and got to the conclusion that the Orbit is simply enjoyable to listen to. The speed constancy is excellent for the price, resulting in the tuneful sound that only a decent turntable can provide. However, limitations are evident in a good system. My more expensive (and presumably better) turntables extract more music from the grooves. For example, I discovered that Rega turntables could track more challenging parts with less distortion and create a pure pace (which they are known for). Of course, you can’t get a Rega for $399!
The Ortofon OM 5E is incredibly neutral and very well suited for a wide range of music genres. This preinstalled cartridge really does all of these music genres well. The sound is neutral, and very detailed without being analytical. This cartridge makes things sound textural, and lifelike in their scale and weight.
The bass is not nuanced or articulated but I can’t expect more with a cartridge in this price range. There is always an option to upgrade the cartridge with Ortofon Super OM10 or 20E.
The highs are incredibly smooth, and very airy-open without being sharp or overly crystalline. That is, again, something that lands itself to a wide swath of musical choices.
U-Turn Orbit Plus and Ortofon OM 5E cartridge in combination make a real jack-of-all-trades in music listening. Any entry-level vinyl enthusiast is going to be spoiled rotten with this combination.
Vocals are especially delicious through this combination and I think that the presence that singers and vocalists have within the soundstage and how they feel in the space is another big plus for this turntable.
This is so well put together as a total package – it doesn’t matter what speakers or amplifier you have – you will be able to hear what I describing here.
U-Turn Orbit Plus Video Review
To Buy or Not?
This is a great entry-level turntable. In my opinion, it is much better than Audio Technica AT-LP120 or TEAC TN-3B. The sound is neutral, with a great sound stage. There is no segment of the sound that is over-emphasized and everything is perfectly balanced as a combination. Highly recommended!
U-Turn Orbit Plus Pro & Cons
Pros
- Neutral sound
- Well-balanced combination of cartridge and turntable
Cons
- Lack of automatic mechanism
- There are no other connections besides RCA outputs