Turntable Reviews

U-Turn’s Remarkable $179 Orbit Turntable is A Crosley Killer! Page 2

U-Turn Sound

I tried a variety of reasonably priced phono preamplifiers including Nerve Audio’s PH 1.1 ($99), the Micromega Mygroov ($269) and then the i-Fi iPhono. They all produced decent results but the $399 iPhono made obvious that it almost unfair to the U-Turn to limit its potential with lesser electronics.

I began listening to a test pressing of Alison Krauss and Union Station’s New Favorite (Diverse Records DIV001LP). When I saw the date, February, 2002, I flipped out. Could it be twelve years ago that I got sent that? Yes, it can. I would have guessed, oh maybe five. Anyway, this is a pristine recording and that the U-Turn beautifully decoded within the limits of a conical stylus cartridge.

Yes, detail was limited compared to what I’m used to, but the overall tonal structure was outstanding and while the frequency extremes were also limited they too were satisfying, while the midrange was smooth and uncolored.

I would never have guessed I was listening to a $179 turntable/cartridge combination (or circa $550 including the iPhono). Amazing especially when you consider the rest of the system terminating in the $200,000 Wilson Audio Specialties Alexandria XLFs is capable of spotlighting every possible playback flaw.

The U-Turn’s rumble was inaudible and no woofer pumping was visible on any of the flat records I played. Krauss’s voice was rendered with precision and clarity, floating effortlessly in three-dimensional space. The stringed instruments were equally fine sounding, though lacking the transient sparkle that’s possible to get from the record.

I moved on to the 180 Pallas pressing reissue of Neil Young’s Everybody Knows This is Nowhere cut by Chris Bellman, imagining a kid with his first turntable getting into Neil to hear “Cinammon Girl” on vinyl. I cranked it up and I know a kid only knowing Neil from MP3s is going to dig what he hears. The kick drum was plenty forceful and well defined, the guitars shimmered and chimed and the sound was as edgy and nasty as Neil intended.

Then I pulled out my original promo copy of Nirvana’s Nevermind complete with press release that’s probably worth as much as the turntable and this ‘table can rock, producing plenty of deep bass with great definition to Chris Novoselic’s string thumps. Only Grohl’s cymbals softened due to the conical stylus but that’s not the turntable’s fault.

Let’s Try a Better Cartridge!

Here’s where I ran into a bit of trouble. First of all, U-Turn does not supply an overhang template so if you want to change cartridges and set the overhang properly you’ve got a problem. Compounding it is that the unipivot’s point is not referenced on the arm’s pivot point top plate so using the Feickert Universal Protractor produced a guessing game. I got it centered on the top of the pivot as best as I could and was surprised to find that the overhang did not jibe with Lofgren, Baerwald or Stevenson! I’m not sure what it was set for but later when I reinstalled the Audio-Technica the only overhang geometry that the stylus tip would reach was Stevenson.

That is an odd choice since Stevenson’s game plan was to minimize distortion at the inner groove area, which is most ideal for classical music. I don’t think the U-Turn folks thought that was their target demographic, which leads me to believe they didn’t consider overhang geometry much if at all. Considering how well-thought out was the rest of the design, I’m left somewhat perplexed.

Clearly, the conical stylus is the U-Turn arm’s best friend but it is a limiting factor at least theoretically because I went ahead and installed on it the Shure M97xe cartridge, though not easily. It was too heavy for the counterweight to balance, which required some Blu-tack applied to its back. I was able to get the stylus tip close enough to the Stevenson overhang line to make academic the difference. I set the tracking force to 1.75 (before lowering the damping brush) and played some tunes.

Holy shit! The U-Turn Orbit turned out to be even better than I originally thought and I originally thought it was damn good to begin with. With an elliptical stylus in play on a high performance but still inexpensive cartridge, the U-Turn’s top end opened way up and heretofore smoothed over detail rang forth. The Nirvana album was good before, now the sound was competitive with far more expensive turntables.

How good? Listen to the Lyn Stanley track digitized at 96/24 that I posted on YouTube. That’s how good. That sound speaks for itself, but of course that’s with the Shure M97xe as shown in the still photo. And be sure to take the “tour” of the U-Turn Basic also up on YouTube and embedded below.

When I replaced the original cartridge I set the overhang (as best as I could not being able to precisely locate the pivot point) for the Stevenson geometry, which put it further forward in the headshell than it was out of the box and I thought the sound had a bit more focus and snap on the Nevermind album, but maybe that’s just my “set-up vanity”.

Conclusion

I could have reviewed the $179 U-Turn Orbit turntable taking into account its low price and letting it off easy for the few small issues I had with it since most buyers will plug it in play and enjoy the hell out of it. Welcome new vinyl lovers your adventure is just beginning! But after listening for a day I thought the ‘table should be reviewed on a level playing field with any product I get my hands on. It’s that accomplished.

If it goes through a .1 revision I suggest re-designing the head shell so the arm can produce proper Lofgren and/or Baerwald geometry and perhaps U-Turn can produce a more massive counterweight so a cartridge like the M97xe can easily be accommodated. That cartridge takes the U-Turn Orbit’s performance to another galaxy.

As for competition, there is some. It’s not like some knucklehead wrote on Inc.com’s website that “Today's vinyl enthusiasts have limited turntable options. They can buy one for $1,000-plus or settle for the toylike versions that don't get close to aural Nirvana.”

No, it’s not like that at all. There are decent, serious starter ‘tables from Rega and Pro-Ject but neither company makes one as good for this little. Pro-Ject has its $199 Elemental, which is conceptually similar to the Orbit: it has an MDF platter and unipivot arm but its counterweight is fixed limiting you to the decent supplied Ortofon UM3 cartridge and nothing else.

That ‘table has its place too but for now the $179 U-Turn Orbit occupies a unique place in the turntable universe in terms of both its out of the box performance and its upgrade possibilities.

Right now kids are going to Target and buying $30 copies of Dark Side of the Moon and to play it a shitty $60 ceramic cartridge/sapphire stylus equipped Crosley grew chewer. Those kids will give up on vinyl after a few plays thinking vinyl “wears out.” They are better off saving up for the U-Turn before playing their $30 DSOTM. Your job is to convince them of that because U-Turn has done its job producing a terrific turntable just about anyone can afford.

I’m confident that kid buying DSOTM today can play it on the U-Turn now and in forty years play it on whatever super turntable is being made then, and it will sound better than any digital version then available.

Nicely done U-Turn!

COMPANY INFO
U-Turn Audio
http://uturnaudio.com
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
Michael T's picture
Submitted by Michael T on Thu, 2014-03-06 21:42

Unbelievable for $179, with a cartridge included!  Last time I checked, this table was slated to be sold for $199.  They must have lowered the price to compete with Project's rival.

Sadly, in the Seattle area, the Crosleys are EVERYWHERE, not just Target.   I have seen them in two different independent brick and mortar shops (in one shop, they are sold as Third Man Records turntables), and in the Urban Outfitters clothing chains (who by the way stocked about 20 copies of Daft Punk and 15 of Lorde, and 5-10 copies of all the latest indie releases. Can you say vinyl is a big seller?).

We somehow need to convince these retailers to carefully step away from Crosley crap and step up to turntables like this and VPI's new Nomad.  How do we do it?!?!

Michael Fremer's picture
Submitted by Michael Fremer on Fri, 2014-03-07 12:51

OK a hardware store and a clothing store haven't a clue but I wish I could figure out what Jack White is thinking pushing that shit and claiming to be a vinyl enthusiast.

tingly's picture
Submitted by tingly on Wed, 2014-11-19 10:27

Last Week, Jack White/Third Man Records added a custom version of what looks like the Pro-Ject RM-1.3 for $100 extra. The Crosley is still for sale.

thirtycenturyman's picture
Submitted by thirtycenturyman on Sun, 2014-03-09 17:57

Also, those copies of Pure Heroine are $30 a pop!  I like the album and wouldn't mind one, but when I can get a copy of Jeff Buckley's Grace, pressed at RTI for $22, it's hard to make that jump.  Looks like the record companies have caught on; however, they better watch it or they'll price their target audience right out of the vinyl market which would be bad for everyone, young and old.

I wonder what the pricing sweet spot is for a record (quality of product vs. quantity and units sold, etc..)?  It obviously varies with each title, but I would assume it to be $20, give or take.  Having purchased some top notch records for that price, it is totally feasible for quality vinyl pricing to not be up in the clouds.  After all, quality is what matters.  If you have a great record and a shit table, or vice versa, or a shit record and a shit table, you might as well just play MP3's.  They're $9.99/month, after all.

Uh, there's nothing wrong with listening to music by a 17 year old girl right?  Is this going to f up my street cred?

vinyl listener's picture
Submitted by vinyl listener on Sun, 2014-03-09 22:37

... pure heroine sounds great on vinyl.

CCFK's picture
Submitted by CCFK on Wed, 2014-03-12 13:08

"Uh, there's nothing wrong with listening to music by a 17 year old girl right?  Is this going to f up my street cred?"

++++++++++++++++++

You're admitting to listening to Jeff Buckley.  If anything, listening to Lorde will restore the cred you've lost.

Klipschorn's picture
Submitted by Klipschorn on Sat, 2015-02-07 00:30

A particleboard platter and the world's cheapest cartridge...

Even the 280 dollar version is still cheap, totally manual and has a cheapo 40 dollar cartridge.

This thing is all for the looks, it will probably not last a year of use.

Martin Osborne's picture
Submitted by Martin Osborne on Thu, 2014-03-06 23:36

Hi Mikey

Over the last 6 months I've been carefully accumulating vinyl for the day I get my first turntable which is down to Analog Planet and realising that so much of the new music I love is being released on vinyl.

As an aside, it's interesting how hi rez downloads are a wasteland for new music but vinyl is abundant. 

If you've got a moment, I'd appreciate your thoughts on where this table sits relative to the the Rega RP 1 and Pro-ject Debut Carbon, there literally being $26 difference between the Rega and Pro-ject where I live so it's a fair comparison.

I am kind of assuming U-Turn will sort out global distribution and the table will priced less than the aforementioned decks.

Regards

Martin

 

 

 

Michael Fremer's picture
Submitted by Michael Fremer on Fri, 2014-03-07 13:00

You can order a U-Turn on line right now. However, remember: the U-Turn is $179. The RP 1 is $445 and the Pro-Ject $399.

It is not fair to compare the U-Turn to either of the other two since they are more than TWICE as expensive!

If you can afford the more expensive 'tables get one because they are in a different league. However, the Rega does not include a cartridge. The Pro-Ject does.

The U-Turn is a great introductory 'table that hopefully will keep young people away from Crosley and protect their records.

SigSoundRich's picture
Submitted by SigSoundRich on Fri, 2014-03-07 17:46

Michael,

Just to correct a small mistake... the RP1 does indeed come with a cartridge. Its called the Rega Carbon (which I belive is a OE version of a Audio-Technica mm cartridge that is made for Rega). That cartridge is included in the RP1's $445 US Retail price. Before Rega came out with the Carobon MM, earlier RP1's came with the Ortofon OM5E cartridge. :-)

The U-Turn for under $200 looks like a awesome peice of kit. Nice review Michael.

Cheers,

Your friendly Rega retailer.

Rich Brkich

Michael Fremer's picture
Submitted by Michael Fremer on Sat, 2014-03-08 10:03

Search the 'net for RP1 and see how many descriptions list a cartridge. 0 that I found...

Bix's picture
Submitted by Bix on Sun, 2014-03-09 14:47

Hmm?  Rega's site is the first result: http://www.rega.co.uk/html/RP1.htm

The all new completely British-made RP1 features:

  • Brand new Rega RB101 tonearm.
     
  • Precision main bearing and sub-platter assembly.
     
  • High quality low vibration motor.
     
  • All new Phenolic resin flywheel effect platter for excellent speed stability.
     
  • Rega Carbon moving magnet cartridge.
     
  • Rega sound quality at an unrivalled price.
atomlow's picture
Submitted by atomlow on Sun, 2014-03-09 18:51

What am I missing?

http://www.needledoctor.com/Rega-RP1-Turntable

http://www.amazon.com/REGA-RP1-TURNTABLE-COOL-GRAY/dp/B004B3GELG

http://www.musicdirect.com/p-9660-rega-rp1-turntable.aspx

http://www.tonepublications.com/review/exclusive-the-rega-rp1/

Michael Fremer's picture
Submitted by Michael Fremer on Tue, 2014-03-11 16:55

I did a quick search and missed it. However, Needledoctor says Ortofon OM5, Music Direct says Rega Carbon.... but yes comes with cart.

Klipschorn's picture
Submitted by Klipschorn on Sat, 2015-02-07 00:33

Come on this is junk.

Get an old Technics player for 40 bucks and put a new stylus or even a new cartridge and a belt if it needs it and it would be miles better than this with a particleboard platter and 20 dollar cartridge.

Michael Fremer's picture
Submitted by Michael Fremer on Wed, 2014-04-23 08:57

The RP1 and Debut Carbon are superior. They also cost more than twice as much so that makes sense. If you can afford either of them buy one of them. I like the Debut Carbon but haven't heard the latest RP1. 

That is not to take anything away from this excellent $179 effort.

Ortofan's picture
Submitted by Ortofan on Thu, 2014-03-06 23:43

For comparison you might evaluate the (ersatz Technics) Audio Technica LP-120 and the (made by Dual for) Marantz TT-42.  An inexpensive phono preamp to try is the Rolls VP29 - only $50 at B&H. At just over $30, the Ortofon Omega has an elliptical stylus.

Trevor Gearhart's picture
Submitted by Trevor Gearhart on Fri, 2014-03-07 11:02

How about U-turn vs. Project Elemental?

....or skip both and double down for the Carbon or RP-1?

Michael Fremer's picture
Submitted by Michael Fremer on Fri, 2014-03-07 13:04

These two are similar conceptually: MDF plinth and platter, simple but effective arm. HOWEVER: the Elemental's arm has a fixed counterweight. It's meant as a "plug and play" only with the supplied Ortofon cartridge. The U-Turn has greater flexibility in the counterweight is adjustable...

If you can afford to "double UP +" to either the Carbon or RP1 you're in different performance territory...

thomoz's picture
Submitted by thomoz on Tue, 2014-03-11 09:43

If we are comparing turntable simply based on their price point, you have to include the $250 Music Hall (which has the added questionable benefit of a USB-out, and therefore an internal phono preamp to support it).

Trevor Gearhart's picture
Submitted by Trevor Gearhart on Fri, 2014-03-07 11:25

Uh, scratch that previous one from me. I posted before reading the entire story.

Doh!

Michael Fremer's picture
Submitted by Michael Fremer on Fri, 2014-03-07 13:04

Because I answered before reading your second post! Double DOH!

atomlow's picture
Submitted by atomlow on Sat, 2014-03-08 06:27

I find it's more of a crime that Needle Doctor sells the Crosley! What kind of vinyl doctor are they or do they just care about the needle?

Nice review! This will be my lowest price point turntable recommendation now. That's a bummer about the counterweight being light, maybe they can offer something better as an upgrade option.

Michael Fremer's picture
Submitted by Michael Fremer on Sat, 2014-03-08 10:04

The Shure M97xe is heavy... 

Glotz's picture
Submitted by Glotz on Mon, 2014-03-10 16:29

It took my suggestion to advertise in the magazine 25 years ago, and by way of association they have seen the success they now enjoy. 

Vinyl Doctor... puleeze, he was firmly mid-fi for many years.  No clue how to set up a high-end turntable back then.  

I wonder if we could pin down an answer as to why they do sell it.. pfft. 

Bruggles's picture
Submitted by Bruggles on Sat, 2014-03-08 09:01

1) the bassist for Nirvana is Krist Novoselic. Fairly minor, but worth noting. 

2) the article was great and will almost certainly go over the heads of basically the entire target demographic for this table. Can you publish a companion piece that explains what everything means? As a case in point: the Wilson XLFs could be explained as "hyper-expensive speakers that are so lifelike that they can make good recordings and setup sound real, and lesser setups will reveal all faults" or something.

I am still kinda new to the game, but I have been spinning vinyls for a little while now, and this article stressed me out a bit since there was so much jargon I was not following... Where do I learn all this?

atomlow's picture
Submitted by atomlow on Sat, 2014-03-08 09:23

Bruggles,

Good points and correction. I'd just type the jargon into google. We are lucky having so many resources now on any subject that can easily be looked up and learned on the internet. Some of this might be over the head of some readers but the review tells us all if we can only spend $200 on a turntable the Uturn is the table we should recommend and/or buy.

Michael Fremer's picture
Submitted by Michael Fremer on Sat, 2014-03-08 10:10

Bruggies, I know that Mr. Novoselic is now "Krist" but when Nirvana's Nevermind was first released he was still known as "Chris", which is how it's spelled on the record.

As for jargon, you make a great point. I don't mean to be a pain, but could you list all of the terms with which you are unfamiliar? That would help me sort out what needs to be defined.

As for the Wilson XLFs, they are a very large, full range and very revealing loudspeaker that normally would not be used with a $179 turntable. 

If you take the time to list the "jargon" I'll provide the definitions...

Bruggles's picture
Submitted by Bruggles on Sun, 2014-03-09 18:33

A) Touche (imagine the accented, French-style "e") on the "assimilated" version of his name. In my 20th Anniversary 4LP special edition, they put his actual Christian name.

B) Mostly I followed along alright. I have read a few reviews of the XLFs, for example (and I live an hour away from Wilson, and I really want to try to fanagle my way in to listening to some Baroness or Anciients there - just to see how those speakers can REALLY rock). I do think it would be cool to have a page that is basically an essential encycolpedia to explain record lore to people who grew up with the most rudimentary of understandings - if at all. I did listen to Thriller on LP as a kid, but I went multiple decades without touching an actual 12". 

Once you have the page, you could link to it from within other articles - either at the beginning or end, or throughout as words come up. But as some examples of particulars, I would possibly include "classic" or "ubiquitous" equipment like Wilson, Quad ESL, BBC monitors, old McIntosh, ARC, Krell, 3020, etc. I have learned of many of them, but I know there are more that I will encounter.

Then, I would include concepts like phono pres, integrated amps, separates, monoblocks, interconnects, balanced connections, line-stage pres. And then the fun stuff like VTA, azimuth, plinth (still think that's a funny word), tracking force (what engineer allowed that to be "measured" in grams?), stylus shapes, overhang template, unipivot, Feickert (et al), etc. Some of these I already know, and some I am embarassed to admit I do not know.

If there is some one-stop-shop location for all of that, I would love a link to a page or book for sale. I am the man in my house with a wife and three little kids, so I don't have an audiophile dad to show me around the joint, you know? But with my new Pro-Ject Debut Carbon, my kids get to join in the listening by lowering the arm themselves and picking which records with which to melt their adorable little faces clean off. (I even briefly owned a TEAC open-reel player they got to hear before I decided I wasn't ready for that level of commitment and flipped it for a good profit).

I love the feedback - and I love the interest in getting fresh blood in the game! I am in, and the indoctrination is ever-deepening. I would love more information for me, and perhaps a faster, simpler resource for newer noobs. Thank you!

Brian

CCFK's picture
Submitted by CCFK on Sat, 2014-03-08 10:37

It would be instructive to see a comparison of the U-Turn with the acrylic platter and Grado Blue or Black, which is now being offered, versus the entry level Rega and Pro-Ject tables...

vozhyk87's picture
Submitted by vozhyk87 on Sat, 2014-03-08 13:42

I am wondering if over a hundred bucks difference of Plus from Basic is actually a worthy investment? I understand that Grado cartridge can make a difference there, but what about acrylic platter? Now that you can build-your-own Orbit there is flexibility in terms of upgrades. Anyone can chip in?

DTS MA 7.2's picture
Submitted by DTS MA 7.2 on Wed, 2014-06-04 06:31

I just ordered the orbit with grado blue and acrylic platter,
will arrive in july, i hope it best's my Akia 260.

jeffh's picture
Submitted by jeffh on Sat, 2014-03-08 16:18

I was wondering the same thing.  Is the $120 to upgrade to the U-Turn Plus a good choice, or should I be looking at another turntable at the for $299.

avrcguy's picture
Submitted by avrcguy on Sat, 2014-03-08 23:53

Sounds like this table could benefit from such an add-on. Like the original, it would of course make dialing in tracking force, and azimuth easier, but would also be an easy fix to accommodate the heavier cartridges like the Shure. Wonder if anyone is planning such a device.

Russo7516's picture
Submitted by Russo7516 on Sun, 2014-03-09 06:15

U turn is about afforable audio plus made here in the US bravo .  They are making a good product at the right price and loads of people will  go  towards this.  Not many can spend  over a 400 for a decent turn table plus cart .  I speak with the young vinyl crowd and they say man 1000 for a turn table thats nuts.  I think in the near future U turn will make  a few differnent levels of thier turn tables. Give them some time . 

Ortofan's picture
Submitted by Ortofan on Sun, 2014-03-09 17:05

Roll the calendar back to the 1970s and the entry level turntables of the time were products such as an AR XA/XB or the Pioneer PL-12D, along with a Shure M91ED cartridge. The ~$150 purchase price for those items didn't seem so outrageous back then, yet it translates to at least $500 in today's money.

Bruggles's picture
Submitted by Bruggles on Sun, 2014-03-09 18:40

Times have changed. Think what $500 translates to in terms of a Spotify subscription! I try to convince people their ears are worth more than mp3s can give them, but short of an actual demonstration, it is a tough sell. So many people today just flat-out don't know what they're missing! Literally!

Back in December, I was picking up my little sister from her first semester at college, and her roommate was listening to "music" played from her phone's onboard speaker. She was coming down to my house as well the following day as a springboard to the airport, so I told her that phone made me sad - and she would get to hear real music when she got to my house with a turntable. As per usual, she was shocked that vinyl was bigger than nostalgic surface noise for me. But I did an mp3 vs vinyl shoot-out with her, and converted her about 5 seconds into Incubus's "Aqueous Transmission" played on a Numark TT through my new Marantz PM6005 into Dayton B652 - not exactly a reference setup. It has only gotten better at my house since then, btw - don't worry too deeply for me.

thirtycenturyman's picture
Submitted by thirtycenturyman on Sun, 2014-03-09 15:07

I came across this table a few months ago and recommended it to my brother in law, who was growing his vinyl collection sans turntable.  He ended up buying one recently so I'll have to check it out if I get a chance.  Seems like a great little setup and I couldn't find a bad review anywhere.  It's also nice to support some guys who are passionate about what they do.

DaveP's picture
Submitted by DaveP on Mon, 2014-03-10 09:16

I placed my order for the Orbit back in January and am eagerly awaiting its delivery early next month. I have been looking at replacing the stock cartridge and have my ears set on the Shure M97XE. Seeing how you had done this and had some issues and knowing the M97XE is a bit shorter than most cartridges, did you have to use a spacer to install it or was it fine just out of the box?

Michael Fremer's picture
Submitted by Michael Fremer on Mon, 2014-03-10 10:17

in terms of SRA... but you'll need to stick Blu-tack on the counterweight to get the tracking force correct....

DaveP's picture
Submitted by DaveP on Thu, 2014-03-13 20:11

Great! Thanks a lot

lpgear's picture
Submitted by lpgear on Wed, 2014-03-12 17:43

It is troubling when one sees others bashing what others use to enjoy their LPs. Are we better because we have a higher sense of musical discernment or better turntables? The Orbit - good as it is based on Michael Fremer's assessment (and I believe him) - will not replace Crosley record players. The latter appeals with their combined features and while some may not like that, there are music enthusiasts who love the convenience of these features. I frankly admire Crosley and their emulators - they made LP record playing more popular, more desirable, more widespread. They enlarged the record playing community of which we are all part of. The wider market made new turntables like Orbit possible - by being investment justifiable.

All the best,
Rome Castellanes
 

my new username's picture
Submitted by my new username on Fri, 2014-03-14 18:39

Depsite the damage a Crosley can do to a record, and to a music lover's resulting interest in vinyl (the bigger threat, right?) you raise an interesting point regarding exposure to the medium, because many of us also started with such dreck years ago.

So. An engineering challenge: 

Design one with most of the same attributes as the U-Turn but go "beyond" it ...

- smaller plinth with less-than 12" platter for small size, small box, less intimidating. 

- no dustcover

- money-saving things like captive RCAs

- give it some freaking STYLE

- Chinese made, if you must

- $100 retail

- advertise!!!

That will change today's vinyl world in a serious way.

buckvelvet's picture
Submitted by buckvelvet on Tue, 2014-04-22 19:52

Hi Folks, I just got a Uturn orbit plus, and while it sounds great, I'm noticing some pitch fluctuations on some guitar and piano tracks that are not apparent in cd or mp3 format. I'm trying to trouble shoot the problem, but was wondering what this phrase meant, and if it has something to do with the pitch issue i'm having. "The raw frequency deviation was significant at around ±.5% but once it was low pass filtered to remove record eccentricity induced wow it was down to very acceptable levels especially for a turntable at this low price"  

What is a low pass filter?

Michael Fremer's picture
Submitted by Michael Fremer on Wed, 2014-04-23 09:13

The pitch issue you are having is not related to the low pass filter used in the measurements. Unfortunately many records are pressed eccentrically. That is, the hole is not precisely centered so the tone arm can sometimes be seen moving back and forth as the record spins. This produces "wow", which is a slow pitch fluctuation that's most noticeable on sustained notes... which is probably why you are hearing them on piano and guitar recordings.

Before blaming the turntable check the record's eccentricity. See if the arm moves back and forth as the record rotates. I bet you see it. Then the problem is with the record not the turntable.

Yes, the fact is, records can suffer from this problem. However, due to a brain fade I wrote "low pass" filter when I meant to write "high pass" filter (I will fix). The filter is used in this test to remove the effects of record eccentricity so the measurement reflects the performance of the turntable not the record.

Unfortunately one of vinyl's "issues" is this kind of wow. Some people are more sensitive to it than others. But records pressed well off center are simply defective and almost everyone finds such extreme 'wow' unpleasant.

Otto K's picture
Submitted by Otto K on Wed, 2014-04-30 11:42

Just ordered one of these for a good friend who has been living with a Crosley.  Can't wait to watch her reaction when first plays an lp on this.  Thanks for the recommendation Mike.  Otto

David.Stubb's picture
Submitted by David.Stubb on Fri, 2015-01-30 14:52

After reading the U-Turn review, I am having second thoughts on the purchase of an RP3. I haven't received the RP3 yet--it is on order from a great local shop here in Seattle. I thought it was the best table under $1,000, but after reading your review about the speed accuracy, I am wondering if I should have saved myself some money with a U-Turn and a really nice cartridge. Is the speed accuracy of the U-Turn really better thant the RP3?

Klipschorn's picture
Submitted by Klipschorn on Sat, 2015-02-07 00:39

Get The Audio Technica AT-LP120- or an entry level Denon or something for about the same price as this junk...

navydiver's picture
Submitted by navydiver on Thu, 2016-02-25 23:56

Orbit sounds WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY better and no I wasn't going to mod a new TT to remomve the crap phono pre that is not fully out of the loop even when the switch to bypass is engaged. My impression was cheap plastic crap with a heavy steel plate put inside to make it appear solidly built....
Did not like sound

Aronson's picture
Submitted by Aronson on Fri, 2015-05-29 15:57

Hi Michael,

Newbie here. I'm ordering this table today based on this thorough review. An upgrade from my AT LP-60, eh?

Which platter mat option were you provided with for the review? Jus' curious...

A

navydiver's picture
Submitted by navydiver on Thu, 2016-02-25 23:48

Got one with acyrlic platter and basic AT cart. Like it very much but like my Thorens TD 165 with Shure M97Xe - I don't think many would be surprised. Had a Technics SL-M3 at my place for 3 weeks while I considered buying from a friend (rare Linear direct drive T4P based TT) with AT132EP cart and stck P33 (I think) and thought it sounded light years ahead of both -lots of vids bposted on Youtube. My keeper is the Thorens though as the SL-M3 is too much TT for my needs...
Dang that Technics does sound good though....

pennapolis's picture
Submitted by pennapolis on Thu, 2020-06-11 10:43

I know this is an old post but I just wanted to state that I absolutely LOVE my SL-M3! Bought it back in 92 in Germany from a friend of mine I was stationed with. He was looking for some quick cash so he sold it to me for $50! Neither one of us knew what we had till the internet became a thing and I could look it up an ebay. It's still in perfect cosmetic and working condition (although it probably needs a good professional cleaning). I use it probably three or four times a week.

navydiver's picture
Submitted by navydiver on Thu, 2016-02-25 23:52

Forgot to mention my don't like on the Orbit. Belt flops off a lot as it is a very loose fit (normal I am told). Keeps speed very well it seems but if you stop and come back after a while the belt is simetimes off the acrylic platter....

Rudy's picture
Submitted by Rudy on Sat, 2016-03-19 18:26

Actually, I have a better Crosley killer. It's called a 4x4 with monster tires... ;)

WaltonGoggins's picture
Submitted by WaltonGoggins on Wed, 2016-11-16 22:11

Several improvements made. See the blog at the UTurn web site.

RayD8R's picture
Submitted by RayD8R on Sun, 2022-01-02 21:55

My long winded search for a decent table for under $500 eventually boiled down to this U-turn (custom w/ pre-amp and cue lever with plans to upgrade cart, platter, and pre-amp later", and I was all set to order the U-turn when I got a notification of a last minute reply to a forum thread that I had started looking for help with my decision making.

I had a few decent tables and over 300 albums back in the early to late 80s but I lost everything in a storage unit roof collapse sometime in the early 90's while I was having some tough times with a place. Life happened and I went digital until recently. My boys are grown and I'm in a better place so I've decided to rekindle my interest in vinyl. I screwed up in haste of trying to get a complete home audio/video setup and forgot about the TT in the confusion of trying to get a bunch of decent equipment during holiday sales events with around a $2000 budget and I needed a complete system from the ground up. I know, not an easy task but I pulled it off. Or at least I thought so until I got everything here and was setting it all up and stood there scratching my head wondering where my TT was, which originally was the main idea behind getting a system in the first place and also because video wasn't part of the original idea. I don't watch TV. I'm not a movie buff or collector. I like to see a good flick but it's not even close to a priority, or even much of an interest for that matter. However being recently placed in the single relationship status, I figured it might come in handy in attracting company...

So here I am with an AVR, which is new to me, my last system was 4 channel stereo, I've got a new flatscreen TV, a dvd/blu-ray player, and a bunch of speakers, and even an equalizer! but no TT and I've spent my budget and even a bit over. But I still need a table so I did some fancy footwork with some things and managed to scrape up about $300 to put toward it and would soon have another $100 to $200 in a week or so, so I'm looking through my emails to find the one from U-turn to order one and I see a notification from one of the forums I was asking questions in with a quite formal and in depth insight for me into why I should not get the U-turn. It would take me forever to find the email again, this was over a year ago and I'm not even sure which forum it was from but basically what I remember, the key points he was talking about were; no anti skate, no adjustable counter weight, and the bearing system for the tone arm. There were other things too but minor. I do distinctly remember those as being the 3 major issues he explained to me about why the Teac was a better choice.

I am by no means an "audiophile" and I couldn't be even if I wanted to, which I surely would not. I have abused my hearing severely over the past 35 or so years and I have tinnitus pretty bad. i have to sleep with music on and if it's ever really quiet I have to find some kind of noise or it becomes very troublesome to my sanity. I had to end a relationship with quite a lady for my social status because she couldn't sleep with any noise or light whatsoever. Pitch black and dead silent. She was definitely a keeper and a half but I couldn't even bear this crap for that. Also, I'd rather not be associated with any label that has "phile" as a suffix, I'm quite content being a simple audioholic. "holics" aren't nearly as messed up as "philes". Those guys have issues beyond the realms of any understanding of reality that I care to entertain. I think it's just jargon for " I have more money than brains and certainly a lot more than you do!" I mean $17,500 for a cartridge? NEVER! even if I had that kind of money! Some things in this world are just wayyyyy out of whack! And I'm sure that's far from the most expensive. Yeah, can somebody tell these freaks that we still have hungry people in our society! $17,400 and an Ortofon Red would make me happy and a lot of people could eat! Ok, enough of that.

So I have the TN-300 and I'm relatively satisfied with it. I scored one for $239 new from a seller on eBay. I waited a few days for it and was nervous about a TT being shipped but I took my chances and saved a few bucks because it was between $329 and $399 everywhere else. It also arrived well boxed up and flawless. But I'm tired of the AT95E and would like a better pre-amp. I'm thinking the Ortofon Red because it's only $99 and I know it will fit my headshell and work with my table. I have been reading that the Blue is a much better cart, but I just don't think I can or want to dish out that kind of money for a stylus. I'm only a casual listener and with the prices of things, I don't really see myself having anywhere near the collection I'd like to any time soon, if even by the end of my time here. I'm just not in that financial bracket and don't see that changing a whole lot anytime soon and I'm 50 now and not getting any younger. I'd ultimately like to replace at least most of what I had back in the day, there's a lot I'd like to have from then until now, there's an entire universe of new good music coming out all the time and my musical listening spectrum has widened exponentially since those good old days of classic rock and hair bands.

So my big question here is obviously do you think the TN-300 was a better choice based on those criteria?

Also is it really worth it for me to save for another who knows how long for a blue over the red for my listening abilities? And I suppose, will the blue even work on my TT?

And finally do you have a good recommendation for a super low budget audioho;ic to have a better pre-amp than the built in Teac switchable?

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