All posts in “Record Players”

U-Turn Orbit Special Turntable

Vinyl sales are on the up on up, in case you didn’t know. The buyers are part of merely a small niche, to be sure, but the classic format is well and alive. Which means, of course, that crate-digging for rare sleeves has long eclipsed hipster territory. Record-collecting is cool again; some major artists even release LPs of their latest tracks.

But what to play them on? That’s the tough question. Why not this ultra-chic U-Turn Orbit Special Turntable? Which, lucky for you wood fans, comes in a special hardwood material. Beyond its clean, minimalist aesthetic, this high-performance audio player will do well introducing you to the world of vinyl. LP Neophytes will love the refined plinth, machined from your choice of solid rift walnut or flat cut maple.

This U-Turn Orbit model comes equipped with a gimbal tonearm bearing an Ortofon 2M Red elliptical diamond cartridge/needle. As newcomers to the vinyl scene, you probably don’t know what that is. Let’s just say you can expect crystal clear playback every time. No resonance or feedback at all. Just topnotch, clean audio each listen.

Perhaps the most noted thing about U-Turn’s players is their quiet motors. The same can be said of this model. Whether you’re playing at 33 or 45 RPM, you’ll hear nary a peep. It’s also got a Pluto preamp, which enables you to connect it to your sound system right out the gate. Audiophiles will beam at this.

Both walnut and maple versions are available for $549 apiece. That drops down to $479 if you’re okay to forego the preamp.

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Photos courtesy of U-Turn Audio

May 20, 2019 / Comments Off on U-Turn Orbit Special Turntable
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Crosley RSD3 Mini Turntable

In celebration of Record Store Day, Crosley is releasing a special budget turntable — the Crosley RSD3. Unfortunately, because it’s so tiny, it won’t be able to play full-size vinyls.

That means you’ll need to grab special 3-inch records, which the folks behind Record Store Day are putting up a bunch of to purchase. Each record comes in an artsy sleeve, to boot. To make this minute turntable, Crosley worked closely with Toyokasei, a vinyl manufacturing plant in Japan. It will go on sale on April 13 for $70.

The device is powered by either via USB or a battery. It features a built-in speaker, pitch control, and an aux out. The limited inputs and outputs are reasonable considering how small it is. But it does come with a clear dust cover, just like a typical Technics SL-1200. It also boasts a full-sized Audio Technica moving magnet cartridge. It’s probably not going to provide Earth-shattering audio quality, but it’s a nice novelty. If nothing else, it’s a fun, quirky item perfect for celebrating Record Store Day.

Of course, it’s not the only miniature record player. You can find other models aplenty on eBay or elsewhere. There’s a bunch out there, like the highly sought-after 8-Ban systems. Crosley’s tiny player is a bit classier, sleeker, and closer to modern players in terms of aesthetics. But if you’re looking for a more retro vibe, then you should definitely cop an 8-Ban. Hit the link below to visit Crosley’s site and find out more.

VISIT CROSLEY

April 6, 2019 / Comments Off on Crosley RSD3 Mini Turntable
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