Turntables — U-Turn Audio Orbit Basic

The Orbit Basic is the entry model in the Orbit turntable range from U-Turn Audio, designed and assembled in Woburn, Massachusetts. It starts at USD 249, below the Orbit Plus, Orbit Special and Orbit Theory, and shares its starting price with the configurable Orbit Custom.

Key specs that matter

Drive is by an external belt - a one-piece silicone belt runs from a low-noise AC synchronous motor to the platter, and switching between 33 and 45 rpm is done by moving the belt by hand. The platter is machined from MDF in Minnesota, grooved to lower resonance and powder coated. The OA3 tonearm is a gimbal design with a one-piece magnesium armtube, internal anti-skate and an adjustable counterweight, and it comes fitted with an Audio-Technica AT91B cartridge carrying a conical diamond stylus. Wow and flutter is below 0.175%, signal-to-noise ratio is 79 dBA, and rumble is below -63 dBA. The deck measures 425 x 318 x 108 mm and runs on 115 V at 60 Hz.

Engineering and use context

Placing the motor outside the platter keeps its noise away from the record, and the belt link helps hold speed steady. The main bearing is inverted and uses self-lubricating polymer bushings, so it needs no maintenance over the life of the deck. A gimbal bearing lets the arm pivot freely in both planes, and the single-piece magnesium tube avoids joints along its length, which helps accurate tracking and low distortion. Plinth finishes are powder-coated MDF in black, white, red, blue or green, or solid walnut or oak for buyers who prefer a wood cabinet. Rubber feet are standard, with Iso-Level feet offered as an upgrade, and a cue lever is sold separately for those who want to lower the arm mechanically instead of by hand. The turntable carries a three-year limited warranty. Buyers can build the deck to order, choosing plinth finish, feet and preamp at the time of purchase, which keeps the entry price low while allowing later upgrades.

Pairing

Output is on RCA connectors. In standard form the Orbit Basic delivers a phono-level signal, so it needs an amplifier or receiver with a moving magnet phono input or an outboard RIAA preamp. Ordering it with the optional built-in Pluto 2 phono preamp raises the output to line level, letting it drive powered speakers or any line input on an amplifier without extra boxes. The AT91B is a moving magnet type, which keeps it compatible with the phono inputs found on most integrated amplifiers.

Alternatives

The Orbit Plus at USD 399 sits one step higher in the Orbit range of turntables.