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U-Turn Audio Turntable?

pjpitt89pjpitt89 Posts: 1,873
in Musicians and Gearheads
Anyone have any experience? I have an Audio-technica ATLP 120 and have been looking for an upgrade without breaking the bank. 

I've come across U-Turn, and specifically their mid line turntable (with the upgraded platter and cartridge), and even though it is roughly the same price as the ATLP 120, it seems like it would be an upgrade. Especially if I could sell my ATLP 120 and basically trade up...

any thoughts?
9/1/00, 4/28/03, 7/5/03, 7/6/03, 7/12/03, 10/1/04, 9/28/05, 5/27/06, 5/28/06, 6/1/06, 6/27/08, 6/30/08, 8/7/08 (EV), 6/12/09 (EV), 10/27/09, 10/28/09,10/30/09, 10/31/09, 5/21/10, 6/15/11 (EV), 9/2/12, 7/19/13, 10/21/13, 10/22/13, 10/27/13, 4/28/16, 4/29/16, 8/7/16, 11/4/16 (TOTD), 8/18/18, 8/20/18, 9/24/21 (EV&Earthlings), 9/26/21, 9/11/2022, 9/14/2022, 9/7/2024, 9/9/2024, 9/12/2024, 5/16/2025, 5/18/2025

Comments

  • Attaway77Attaway77 Posts: 3,609
    edited January 2019
    I have U-Turn... This is what I went with,  little pricey but it wasn’t out of my pocket. It was from when my flight got jacked up coming back from Montana, I went ahead and used part of that airfare refund and went all in on this. I went with the Ortofon 2m blue cartridge with the built in pre amp:

    https://uturnaudio.com/products/orbit-special-turntable







    1998 Dallas (7/5) 2006 San Fran (7/15,7/16) 2009 San Fran (8/28) 2010 Bristow (5/13) NY (5/21) 2011 Alpine Valley (9/3,9/4)
    2012 Missoula (9/30) 2013 Chicago (7/19) Pittsburgh (10/11) Buffalo (10/12) Baltimore (10/27) Dallas (11/15)
    2014 Austin (10/12) Memphis (10/14) St. Paul (10/19) Milwaukee (10/20) Denver (10/22)
    2016 Ft. Lauderdale (4/8) Miami (4/9) Hampton (4/18) Philly (4/28,4/29) NY (5/1,5/2) 2018 Seattle (8/10) Missoula (8/13) 2022 Nashville (9/16)
    E.V. - 2008 Berkeley (4/8) 2012 Austin (11/9,11/12)
    Temple of the Dog - 2016 Upper Darby


  • mrussel1mrussel1 Posts: 30,779
    2M blue is a very nice cartridge.  U turn has a good reputation, particularly for the price.  The downside of going built in pre is the loss of future flexibility.  You would have to spend more than the price difference to get a decent pre though. 

    I think that any Rega, project or Uturn in that price range will be comparable. Acrylic platter is a nice upgrade too. 
  • pjpitt89pjpitt89 Posts: 1,873
    Thanks ^^ I appreciate the feedback. I hope to grab one of these sometime soon, wasn't sure what to do with the built in pre amp or not, as my current turntable also has a built in. I couldn't figure out if I should get the built in, get my own, or purchase theirs without built in. 
    9/1/00, 4/28/03, 7/5/03, 7/6/03, 7/12/03, 10/1/04, 9/28/05, 5/27/06, 5/28/06, 6/1/06, 6/27/08, 6/30/08, 8/7/08 (EV), 6/12/09 (EV), 10/27/09, 10/28/09,10/30/09, 10/31/09, 5/21/10, 6/15/11 (EV), 9/2/12, 7/19/13, 10/21/13, 10/22/13, 10/27/13, 4/28/16, 4/29/16, 8/7/16, 11/4/16 (TOTD), 8/18/18, 8/20/18, 9/24/21 (EV&Earthlings), 9/26/21, 9/11/2022, 9/14/2022, 9/7/2024, 9/9/2024, 9/12/2024, 5/16/2025, 5/18/2025
  • mrussel1mrussel1 Posts: 30,779
    pjpitt89 said:
    Thanks ^^ I appreciate the feedback. I hope to grab one of these sometime soon, wasn't sure what to do with the built in pre amp or not, as my current turntable also has a built in. I couldn't figure out if I should get the built in, get my own, or purchase theirs without built in. 
    Does your integrated/stereo/AVR have a built in phono and if so, any sense of the quality?  
    For a few years, I was using a Yamaha AVR for all audio and didn't like the built it.  So I had a cambridge and an Emotiva preamp that I would swap out now and again.  Not too long ago, I moved my vinyl over to my vintage Pioneer SX and started using the built in.  It's amazing how different your records will sound with various setups so I do like the flexibility.  I'm also a tinkerer. 
  • pjpitt89pjpitt89 Posts: 1,873
    mrussel1 said:
    pjpitt89 said:
    Thanks ^^ I appreciate the feedback. I hope to grab one of these sometime soon, wasn't sure what to do with the built in pre amp or not, as my current turntable also has a built in. I couldn't figure out if I should get the built in, get my own, or purchase theirs without built in. 
    Does your integrated/stereo/AVR have a built in phono and if so, any sense of the quality?  
    For a few years, I was using a Yamaha AVR for all audio and didn't like the built it.  So I had a cambridge and an Emotiva preamp that I would swap out now and again.  Not too long ago, I moved my vinyl over to my vintage Pioneer SX and started using the built in.  It's amazing how different your records will sound with various setups so I do like the flexibility.  I'm also a tinkerer. 
    No it doesn't. My current set up is not impressive. I have an Audiotechnica 120LP direct drive turntable that has a build in preamp. That hooks to a Yamaha AVR without phono input, and using paradigm atom bookshelf speakers. If I can get some cash, I was going to switch to the Uturn, but the preamp is an added cost, obviously.
    9/1/00, 4/28/03, 7/5/03, 7/6/03, 7/12/03, 10/1/04, 9/28/05, 5/27/06, 5/28/06, 6/1/06, 6/27/08, 6/30/08, 8/7/08 (EV), 6/12/09 (EV), 10/27/09, 10/28/09,10/30/09, 10/31/09, 5/21/10, 6/15/11 (EV), 9/2/12, 7/19/13, 10/21/13, 10/22/13, 10/27/13, 4/28/16, 4/29/16, 8/7/16, 11/4/16 (TOTD), 8/18/18, 8/20/18, 9/24/21 (EV&Earthlings), 9/26/21, 9/11/2022, 9/14/2022, 9/7/2024, 9/9/2024, 9/12/2024, 5/16/2025, 5/18/2025
  • drakeheuer14drakeheuer14 Posts: 4,609
    I just got myself a u-turn orbit plus. I’m pretty pumped about it. I think it fits all my basic needs. To top it off I ordered the SpinBase by Andover Audio. It will be aesthetically pleasing for sure. The real test will be how it sounds. Now I just have to wait until February for them to ship. 

    Anyone else have one? 
    Pittsburgh 2013
    Cincinnati 2014
    Greenville 2016
    (Raleigh 2016)
    Columbia 2016
  • Vedd HeddVedd Hedd Posts: 4,626
    I have an Orbit Basic (with Ortofon OM5E, basic platter) and an Orbit Plus (with Ortofon 2MBlue, acrylic platter) .  I upgraded to the Orbit plus maybe 3-4 years ago. Its definitely better sounding, but I still get a lot of hum.  I tried adding some sorbothane to the feet, but still get some decent deep hum from the motor.

    I am curious, does anyone have either the Orbit Special or the Orbit Theory?  And what are the differences there?  They said they added a new ultra quiet motor and there is Sorbothane in the feet already.  Anyone have experience with either of these?

    And is there a way to reduce my hum? (For both, I have an external Schiit Mani Silver preamp, and I am using a Onkyo CR-N577 receiver.)
    Turn this anger into
    Nuclear fission
  • mrussel1mrussel1 Posts: 30,779
    Vedd Hedd said:
    I have an Orbit Basic (with Ortofon OM5E, basic platter) and an Orbit Plus (with Ortofon 2MBlue, acrylic platter) .  I upgraded to the Orbit plus maybe 3-4 years ago. Its definitely better sounding, but I still get a lot of hum.  I tried adding some sorbothane to the feet, but still get some decent deep hum from the motor.

    I am curious, does anyone have either the Orbit Special or the Orbit Theory?  And what are the differences there?  They said they added a new ultra quiet motor and there is Sorbothane in the feet already.  Anyone have experience with either of these?

    And is there a way to reduce my hum? (For both, I have an external Schiit Mani Silver preamp, and I am using a Onkyo CR-N577 receiver.)
    Are you sure you don't have a ground loop?  
  • Vedd HeddVedd Hedd Posts: 4,626
    I'm not totally sure. Would that cause a ton of hum?
    Turn this anger into
    Nuclear fission
  • Vedd HeddVedd Hedd Posts: 4,626
    Just reading up on that a bit. All of my plugs (TT, pre-Amp, Reciever) are plugged into the same power strip.

    I dont hear the hum at all when the reciever, pre-amp and TT are turned on, only when the needle hits the record. And if I grab the TT, it seems to nullify it somewhat, like I am reducing the vibrations. 
    Turn this anger into
    Nuclear fission
  • mrussel1mrussel1 Posts: 30,779
    Vedd Hedd said:
    Just reading up on that a bit. All of my plugs (TT, pre-Amp, Reciever) are plugged into the same power strip.

    I dont hear the hum at all when the reciever, pre-amp and TT are turned on, only when the needle hits the record. And if I grab the TT, it seems to nullify it somewhat, like I am reducing the vibrations. 
    I've had ground loops but never with a TT.  They have happened with subs for me.  But it seems very unusual to have two TT's do the same thing.  I don't know U-turns product well, but presumably this isn't common.  

    But you're also right that it SHOULD occur by being plugged in and powered on.  The needle drop should not make a difference, however it's certainly possible that the loop become audible with the transmission of the analog signal.  

    If you're out of ideas, it doesn't hurt to spend a few dollars to see if you have a loop.  It is cheap and if it doesn't work, you can just send it back.  I can tell you that loop isolators do work.  

    https://www.amazon.com/s?k=rcaground+loop+isolator&crid=QTK4S7215CIA&sprefix=rground+loop+isolator,aps,386&ref=nb_sb_noss_2
  • Vedd HeddVedd Hedd Posts: 4,626
    mrussel1 said:
    Vedd Hedd said:
    Just reading up on that a bit. All of my plugs (TT, pre-Amp, Reciever) are plugged into the same power strip.

    I dont hear the hum at all when the reciever, pre-amp and TT are turned on, only when the needle hits the record. And if I grab the TT, it seems to nullify it somewhat, like I am reducing the vibrations. 
    I've had ground loops but never with a TT.  They have happened with subs for me.  But it seems very unusual to have two TT's do the same thing.  I don't know U-turns product well, but presumably this isn't common.  

    But you're also right that it SHOULD occur by being plugged in and powered on.  The needle drop should not make a difference, however it's certainly possible that the loop become audible with the transmission of the analog signal.  

    If you're out of ideas, it doesn't hurt to spend a few dollars to see if you have a loop.  It is cheap and if it doesn't work, you can just send it back.  I can tell you that loop isolators do work.  

    https://www.amazon.com/s?k=rcaground+loop+isolator&crid=QTK4S7215CIA&sprefix=rground+loop+isolator,aps,386&ref=nb_sb_noss_2
    Thanks! I will give that a shot!
    Turn this anger into
    Nuclear fission
  • Vedd HeddVedd Hedd Posts: 4,626
    Also, still curious if anyone has experience with those U-Turn Orbit Special or Orbit Theory versions?  
    Turn this anger into
    Nuclear fission
  • mrussel1mrussel1 Posts: 30,779
    Vedd Hedd said:
    Also, still curious if anyone has experience with those U-Turn Orbit Special or Orbit Theory versions?  
    Not to be a smart ass, but if you don't have a ground loop, maybe it's time to go away from U-Turn.  Your ort blue should work on a Pro-Ject and other similarly situated TTs.  
  • dudemandudeman Posts: 3,148
    Vedd Hedd said:
    Just reading up on that a bit. All of my plugs (TT, pre-Amp, Reciever) are plugged into the same power strip.

    I dont hear the hum at all when the reciever, pre-amp and TT are turned on, only when the needle hits the record. And if I grab the TT, it seems to nullify it somewhat, like I am reducing the vibrations. 
    Do you have your turntable sitting on the same shelf as your speakers? Worse yet, is the turntable sitting on top of a speaker?

    What you describe sounds like acoustic feedback loop to me. Try moving the U-Turn far away from the speakers and see if it still happens. 
    If hope can grow from dirt like me, it can be done. - EV
  • Vedd HeddVedd Hedd Posts: 4,626
    dudeman said:
    Vedd Hedd said:
    Just reading up on that a bit. All of my plugs (TT, pre-Amp, Reciever) are plugged into the same power strip.

    I dont hear the hum at all when the reciever, pre-amp and TT are turned on, only when the needle hits the record. And if I grab the TT, it seems to nullify it somewhat, like I am reducing the vibrations. 
    Do you have your turntable sitting on the same shelf as your speakers? Worse yet, is the turntable sitting on top of a speaker?

    What you describe sounds like acoustic feedback loop to me. Try moving the U-Turn far away from the speakers and see if it still happens. 
    I have my speakers on separate stands, that are 3-4 feet away from the cabinet that my turntable is on.
    Turn this anger into
    Nuclear fission
  • Vedd HeddVedd Hedd Posts: 4,626
    mrussel1 said:
    Vedd Hedd said:
    Also, still curious if anyone has experience with those U-Turn Orbit Special or Orbit Theory versions?  
    Not to be a smart ass, but if you don't have a ground loop, maybe it's time to go away from U-Turn.  Your ort blue should work on a Pro-Ject and other similarly situated TTs.  
    Yeah, this is what I am trying to figure out. Is it literally just the brand that's the problem?  The 2 new models have different motors than the 2 that I have. I really like the company but I dont want to buy another one if its literally the brand thats the problem. The first one I bought was on the lower end so I expected that it might not be one of the best. But a nice entry tt. The 2nd was upgraded with the cartridge and platter, but I had a motor problem with it from day one. They actually sent me a new one which I replaced and it sounds better but I always feared it was just a limitation that the motor was loud. Curious how the new ones sounded.
    Turn this anger into
    Nuclear fission
  • Vedd HeddVedd Hedd Posts: 4,626
    Just an update, talked to U-Turn people, they asked me to check the wires in my motor to see if they were hitting the motor, and it turns out they were. I was able to twist the wires a bit, and move them away from the motor, and it reduced the hum by (I think) over 50%.  I think the rest of the hum is somewhat normal, but will probably use sorbothane on some of the feet and maybe near the motor where the parts are.   

    Still curious if anyone has one of the newer theory models with the ultra quiet motor?
    Turn this anger into
    Nuclear fission
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