U-Turn Audio Orbit turntable setup

cjb5790

Hey guys,

Just curious if anyone has picked up one of these turntables and what your opinion of them is. Looking at upgrading and considering the Orbit with the Basic platter, Audio-Technica AT95E cartridge and the Q UP tonearm lifter.

Also, does anyone have any recommendations on a pre-amp and some powered bookshelf speakers?

Thanks in advance!

SVRDhand13

Mine is tentatively being delivered the week of June 16th (I ordered on May 8). I will leave a review here once I get it. I got the white one with the basic platter but upgraded to the Grado Black cartridge. I've never been so excited to get something in the mail before this. The wait is killing me!

cjb5790

I can imagine! The more I look at those things and build one, the closer I am to ordering one. I really, really need to replace my Crosley. I recently got in to vinyl and have invested a lot in wax so far, so now I want to get a turntable that's worthy of spinning it all. Looking forward to your review!

kramer73

cjb5790 said:

I can imagine! The more I look at those things and build one, the closer I am to ordering one. I really, really need to replace my Crosley. I recently got in to vinyl and have invested a lot in wax so far, so now I want to get a turntable that's worthy of spinning it all. Looking forward to your review!

Whatever you are doing right now, stop. Now order that turntable.

cjb5790

If that's the right turntable then I will. Don't want to invest a few hundred if it's not worth it or there's a better option.

cjb5790

Haven't spun anything in a couple weeks since I realized how terrible the Crosley is, need to get something soon. I hear the FYE over my way has a new vinyl section and carries some turntables, I've heard solid things about the Audio Technica's...

tempo_n_groove

http://www.analogplanet.com/content/u-turn’s-remarkable-179-orbit-turntable-crosley-killer

http://www.analogplanet.com/content/u-turn’s-remarkable-179-orbit-turntable-crosley-killer


Great article.

tempo_n_groove

The link isn't working but it's a great article about the Orbit. Look for it if u can.

TinAnt

There have been many problems with the Uturn Orbits, they just get glazed over by rabid enthusiasts and Kickstarter backers. I'd be careful in ordering one, especially when you can get a used unit for much cheaper and get a unit of higher quality. They also lack features that should be standard on a turntable in that price range.

PJ_Soul

Re the bookshelf speakers - I got Klipsch bookshelf B-20 speakers last year and they are fantastic. $350 for the pair.

PH20

I think I would be more likely to buy an entry level Pro-Ject or Rega vs. that Uturn table.

cjb5790

My budget is only a couple to a few hundred. What are thoughts on Audio Technica?

cjb5790

TinAnt said:

There have been many problems with the Uturn Orbits, they just get glazed over by rabid enthusiasts and Kickstarter backers. I'd be careful in ordering one, especially when you can get a used unit for much cheaper and get a unit of higher quality. They also lack features that should be standard on a turntable in that price range.

What are some of the issues, and what features should be standard at that price range?

Amongst the Ani

This does a pretty good job for the Audio Technica over the Orbit: http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-turntable/

PH20

http://www.musicdirect.com/p-7622-pro-ject-debut-iii-matte-black-turntable.aspx?gclid=CjgKEAjwzIucBRDzjIz9qMOB3TASJABBIwL1jGTXlrSDXtWJlOfKq90T6nBPJoDrzOYXcIl8rrxnG_D_BwE

SVRDhand13

My Orbit scheduled delivery just got pushed back two weeks. They did not even send me a courtesy email. I just happened to check on their website. Not happy right now!

PJ_Soul

SVRDhand13 said:

My Orbit scheduled delivery just got pushed back two weeks. They did not even send me a courtesy email. I just happened to check on their website. Not happy right now!

>:P That would piss me off too.

SVRDhand13

PJ_Soul said:

SVRDhand13 said:

My Orbit scheduled delivery just got pushed back two weeks. They did not even send me a courtesy email. I just happened to check on their website. Not happy right now!

>:P That would piss me off too.

The original estimated delivery (June 16) was 5 weeks after my order
I ordered 3 weeks ago (May 8)
Now the estimated delivery was extended an additional two weeks (June 30)

I can't help but feel it will be pushed back at least one more time

marjen

Hey guys,

I just got my Orbit turntable this week. I ordered back in early April, it got pushed back about 3 weeks longer than it was supposed to be but they sent me an email last week explaining and also offering me a $15 coupon good with no minimum for any future purchase.

This is my first turntable. I started collecting a couple PJ records and had nothing to play them on. They I started ordering some limited edition colored vinyl just because they looked cool So I needed a setup. I had followed the Orbit kickstarter but did not participate. Early reviews have been very positive so I decided to give one a try.

The unit is really cool looking and well built. I ordered the blue base model with a slightly upgraded cartridge. I purchase a Bellari VP129 pre-amp/headphone amp to go with it and I am using a set of brainwavz headphones.

So far I am very happy. I dont really have a point of reference as far as record players go, but it sounds great and seems well built. Worth the wait.

SVRDhand13

SVRDhand13 said:

PJ_Soul said:

SVRDhand13 said:

My Orbit scheduled delivery just got pushed back two weeks. They did not even send me a courtesy email. I just happened to check on their website. Not happy right now!

>:P That would piss me off too.

The original estimated delivery (June 16) was 5 weeks after my order
I ordered 3 weeks ago (May 8)
Now the estimated delivery was extended an additional two weeks (June 30)

I can't help but feel it will be pushed back at least one more time

FAQ of website still says my turntable is expected to ship the week of June 30th

Its the end of the week after that and still no shipping

If I get it next week, it would come 9 weeks after placing my order and a full month after the initial date I was told

SVRDhand13

SVRDhand13 said:

SVRDhand13 said:

PJ_Soul said:

SVRDhand13 said:

My Orbit scheduled delivery just got pushed back two weeks. They did not even send me a courtesy email. I just happened to check on their website. Not happy right now!

>:P That would piss me off too.

The original estimated delivery (June 16) was 5 weeks after my order
I ordered 3 weeks ago (May 8)
Now the estimated delivery was extended an additional two weeks (June 30)

I can't help but feel it will be pushed back at least one more time

FAQ of website still says my turntable is expected to ship the week of June 30th

Its the end of the week after that and still no shipping

If I get it next week, it would come 9 weeks after placing my order and a full month after the initial date I was told

Finally got my orbit yesterday, July 21. And it doesnt work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am beyond furious at this point. I guess I will have to ship the turntable back to them and have it replaced or fixed, which is going to take a long time. Best case scenario is I get a working turntable three months after my order, and right before I will have visitors at my house for a week and therefore will be unable to use it. This has turned into such an annoying hassle.

StevieG

Save your money and get a Rega, even their entry level gear is top notch.

SVRDhand13

SVRDhand13 said:

SVRDhand13 said:

SVRDhand13 said:

PJ_Soul said:

SVRDhand13 said:

My Orbit scheduled delivery just got pushed back two weeks. They did not even send me a courtesy email. I just happened to check on their website. Not happy right now!

>:P That would piss me off too.

The original estimated delivery (June 16) was 5 weeks after my order
I ordered 3 weeks ago (May 8)
Now the estimated delivery was extended an additional two weeks (June 30)

I can't help but feel it will be pushed back at least one more time

FAQ of website still says my turntable is expected to ship the week of June 30th

Its the end of the week after that and still no shipping

If I get it next week, it would come 9 weeks after placing my order and a full month after the initial date I was told

Finally got my orbit yesterday, July 21. And it doesnt work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am beyond furious at this point. I guess I will have to ship the turntable back to them and have it replaced or fixed, which is going to take a long time. Best case scenario is I get a working turntable three months after my order, and right before I will have visitors at my house for a week and therefore will be unable to use it. This has turned into such an annoying hassle.

Uturn sent me a new turntable almost immediately. Now I'm happy with their customer service. This table sounds great!

SVRDhand13

Cartridge:

marjen

Glad they took care of you. I am still enjoying mine and use it daily.

coronasty

Any further reviews for the U turn Orbit? I'm wondering if it's worth it for a non-audiophile who is about to inherit a pretty big collection of vinyl... My current TT was extremely cheap and I'd much rather upgrade to something that sounds good for a little more $$.
Are they still having shipping problems? Website says "ships in 5 weeks"...
Thanks for any help

Empty Glass

coronasty said:

Any further reviews for the U turn Orbit? I'm wondering if it's worth it for a non-audiophile who is about to inherit a pretty big collection of vinyl... My current TT was extremely cheap and I'd much rather upgrade to something that sounds good for a little more $$.
Are they still having shipping problems? Website says "ships in 5 weeks"...
Thanks for any help

My understanding is that some of the needles were on back order, which added to some orders shipping times. I ordered one of these a few weeks ago with a few upgrades. Can't wait for it to get here.

-decodified-

turntable masters, what do you recommend, built in preamp or external preamp?

mrussel1

-decodified- said:

turntable masters, what do you recommend, built in preamp or external preamp?

I guess it all depends on the amp you are using. If it has a high end amp (and it's hard to tell if it does without some research or testing), it will be better than a $100 external. So if you are running a vintage Mcintosh or maybe Anthem, I can't imagine you would go cheap external.

I have a higher end Yamaha and like the amp internal. But when I use my Pioneer Elite 2 channel amp, I prefer the Music Hall external.

PJ_Soul

-decodified- said:

turntable masters, what do you recommend, built in preamp or external preamp?

I'm no expert, but I do know that the experts at needledoctor.com told me that if I got an external preamp to use with my TT that has a built in one, my TT would sound even better than it does now. From that I assume an external preamp is the best way to go in order to get the best sound out of your system.

mrussel1

PJ_Soul said:

-decodified- said:

turntable masters, what do you recommend, built in preamp or external preamp?

I'm no expert, but I do know that the experts at needledoctor.com told me that if I got an external preamp to use with my TT that has a built in one, my TT would sound even better than it does now. From that I assume an external preamp is the best way to go in order to get the best sound out of your system.

This is generally true. Again, depends on how high end your amp is. The best thing to do is order an preamp on Amazon, try it out, and do the Pepsi challenge.
One thing... DO NOT PLUG THE PREAMP INTO THE PHONE INPUT. You will blow yourself away and could damage speakers or the internal phone amplifier. Plug it into an unused l/r option.