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Head-to-head · Best Turntables Under $500

Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB vs U-Turn Orbit Plus

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.4 vs 3.9). Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB is best for: Buyers who want one box that does everything, plus DJs and anyone who wants to digitize their record collection over USB. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB
Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Turntables Under $500
Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB
2 sources$399as of Oct 24

The Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB is the most versatile turntable under $500: a direct-drive deck with a quartz-locked motor, a built-in switchable phono stage, USB ripping, and DJ-friendly pitch control. It is unflappably speed-stable and built like a tank. The stock cartridge and felt-over-aluminum platter limit its outright sound, but no rival here matches its feature set.

Strengths
  • — DC servo direct-drive motor with quartz speed lock delivers exceptional speed stability
  • — Built-in switchable phono preamp works with any line input or powered speakers
  • — USB output lets you rip vinyl to digital files on a computer
Watch-outs
  • — Aluminum platter with felt mat is less resonance-damping than acrylic
  • — Reviewers note a faint high-pitched whine audible in quiet passages
  • — Stock AT-VM95E cartridge is a competent starter rather than a refined one
$399 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
U-Turn Orbit Plus
Ranked #4 in Best Turntables Under $500
U-Turn Orbit Plus
1 source$399as of Oct 24

The U-Turn Orbit Plus is a hand-assembled, made-in-USA belt-drive turntable that pairs a grooved acrylic platter and a precision magnesium-armtube tonearm with an Ortofon OM5E cartridge. Reviewers praise its clarity and clean design, rating it on par with the best in the group for detail. Its higher price relative to features (the preamp is an add-on) keeps it from the top spot, but it is a tidy, upgradeable deck for sound-first buyers.

Strengths
  • — Precision OA3 gimbal tonearm with one-piece magnesium armtube
  • — Ortofon OM5E elliptical cartridge gives balanced, neutral sound
  • — Clean minimalist design with low measured rumble (-63 dBA) and S/N of -79 dBA
Watch-outs
  • — Base model has no built-in preamp (Pluto stage is a paid add-on)
  • — Manual belt move required to switch between 33 and 45 RPM
  • — TechGearLab flagged it as poorer value than the cheaper AT-LP120XUSB
$399 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

How they stack up

Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB

The AT-LP120XUSB is the most feature-complete deck here: unlike the U-Turn Orbit Plus it has a built-in phono stage, and it is the only one with pitch control and a 78 RPM speed. Its direct-drive motor has no belt to replace, unlike the belt-drive Sony PS-LX3BT, Sony PS-LX310BT and U-Turn Orbit Plus, though its felt-over-aluminum platter damps less resonance than the Orbit Plus's acrylic platter.

U-Turn Orbit Plus

The Orbit Plus is the only deck here with an acrylic platter, and it ships with an entry-level Ortofon OM5E cartridge. TechGearLab found its clarity on par with the Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB but noted it is poorer value because, unlike the AT-LP120XUSB and Sony PS-LX310BT, its base configuration has no built-in preamp.

Specs side-by-side

SpecAudio-Technica AT-LP120XUSBU-Turn Orbit Plus
CartridgeAT-VM95E (moving magnet)Ortofon OM5E (elliptical)
DriveDirect drive, DC servo with quartz lockBelt drive, AC synchronous motor
PlatterDie-cast aluminum with felt matGrooved machined acrylic
Speeds33⅓, 45, 78 RPM33⅓, 45 RPM (manual)
Wow & FlutterLess than 0.2% WRMSLess than 0.125%
Phono PreampBuilt-in, switchable—
OutputsRCA (line/phono), USB—
Weight23.1 lb—
MaterialAluminumAcrylic, Magnesium, Wood
Tonearm—OA3 gimbal, magnesium armtube
Signal-to-Noise—-79 dBA
Warranty—3-year limited
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