U-Turn Audio started as a Kickstarter project and has quietly become one of the most respected names in entry-level hi-fi. The Orbit Plus Gen 2 skips the compromises most turntables make at this price. It ships with a built-in Pluto preamp that you can bypass with a switch, meaning you can plug it directly into powered speakers or a receiver without needing extra gear.

The tonearm is a standout here. It uses a one-piece magnesium armtube with a precision gimbal bearing, which keeps the Ortofon OM5E cartridge tracking grooves accurately. The result is low distortion and a well-balanced sound that handles everything from classic rock to modern pressings without sounding thin or muddy. The grooved acrylic platter helps with speed consistency, and the external belt drive keeps motor noise away from the record.

One honest note: the OM5E is a solid entry-level cartridge, but you’ll likely want to upgrade the stylus down the road for better detail retrieval. The included felt mat also picks up static, so swapping it for a rubber mat is a cheap improvement. At 45 RPM max speed, this is strictly a 33/45 player with no 78 support. For the money, though, you get a genuinely good-sounding table that’s easy to set up and simple to live with.