None
No built-in preamp. Your turntable needs to be connected to either (a) an amplifier or powered speakers with a clearly labeled “phono” input or (b) an external phono preamp like this.
Built-in
Our built-in Pluto 2 Phono Preamp lets you connect your turntable directly to an amplifier or powered speakers. No additional equipment or cables needed. Pluto 2 combines elegant circuit design with high-quality components, and features a subsonic filter, dual gain stages, and a bypass switch. It’s also available as an external preamp.
Powder coated
Made in Minnesota from medium density fiberboard (MDF), a wood composite material with excellent acoustic properties. Durable powder coat finish. Available in five colors.
Solid wood
Natural hardwood plinth in your choice of solid (not veneer) black walnut or white oak with a durable satin finish. Harvested from sustainably managed forests in the USA. Wood's natural variation is part of its distinctive beauty. The grain pattern, color, and texture of each plinth is unique.
Orbit Special Turntable
Exceptional performance made easier than ever.
- Electronic speed control (33/45 RPM) lets you change speeds with turn of a knob. Advanced motor controller boosts motor performance and speed accuracy.
- OA3 precision gimbal tonearm with one-piece magnesium armtube for accurate tracking and low distortion. Features internal anti-skate and adjustable counterweight.
- Ortofon 2M Red cartridge with elliptical diamond stylus delivers open and dynamic sound.
- Includes cue lever for easy tonearm operation.
- Grooved acrylic platter for improved speed consistency and more detailed playback.
- External belt drive eliminates motor noise and ensures speed stability. All-new seamless silicone belt.
Order with confidence.
Orders $99+ ship free
Designed and assembled in Woburn, MA.
Don’t love it? No problem.
Effortless fidelity
We’ve re-engineered Orbit Special.
Expressive and dynamic playback. Now with advanced electronic speed control.
Introducing Orbit Arm 3
Designed to make audiophile-grade playback more accessible. One-piece armtube for exceptionally low resonance. Molded in the USA from magnesium, a strong yet lightweight material with superior vibration damping properties. Precision gimbal bearing design allows the stylus to move freely – eliminating distortion and capturing more musical detail. Adjustable stainless steel counterweight and internal anti-skate. Ready to play out of the box with pre-installed cartridge.
One-piece tapered design for low resonance.
Open and dynamic playback with high level of sonic accuracy. Elliptical diamond stylus.
Installed for easy tonearm operation.
Advanced electronic speed control
Change speeds with the turn of a knob. Our advanced motor controller ensures pinpoint speed accuracy by using a sine wave generator that monitors and adjusts speed thousands of times per second. Orbit’s signature belt drive and rubber motor suspension prevent unwanted vibrations from reaching the platter.
Easy speed change with advanced motor performance.
All-new design for improved durability and performance.
Precision machined acrylic platter
Our frosted acrylic platter delivers enhanced speed consistency and lower resonance. Each platter is precision machined for flatness and virtually zero runout. Acrylic is remarkably effective at minimizing unwanted vibrations thanks to its high density and low stiffness. Grooved for easy belt installation and use. Inverted main bearing with self-lubricating polymer bushings for maintenance-free performance.
Improved speed consistency and lower resonance.
Stable, low-noise, and maintenance-free.
Plug and play
Optional built-in phono preamp lets you connect to your favorite components. Featuring Pluto 2 technology with low-noise circuitry and high quality components like WIMA film capacitors and precision resistors.
Hand assembled in the USA
Our expert technicians assemble and test every turntable in our Woburn, MA workshop – allowing us to deliver a consistently high level of quality.
Expert support from real people
Whether you're a first-time vinyl listener or a seasoned audiophile, we’ll help you choose, set up, and care for your sound system. We stand by our turntables with a comprehensive 3 year warranty and 30 day return policy.
Orbit Special in action
Features
OA3 Tonearm
Molded magnesium armtube with fixed anti-skate and preset counterweight
Cartridge
Ortofon 2M Red with elliptical diamond stylus
Cue Lever
Installed for easy tonearm operation
Motor
Low-noise AC synchronous
Speed control
Electronic with speed control knob
Drive belt
Seamless silicone
Inverted main bearing
Self-lubricating polymer bearings with stainless steel shaft
Platter
Grooved acrylic platter with frosted finish
AC Adapter
RCA Cables
Orbit Special
Dust Cover
Felt Mat
Specifications
| Playback speeds | 33/45 RPM electronically changed |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 16.75 x 12.5 x 4.25" |
| Wow & flutter | < 0.125% |
| S/N Ratio | -79 dBA |
| Rumble | < -63 dBA |
| Input voltage | 115V/60Hz |
| Output connection | RCA |
| Warranty | 3-year limited warranty |
⚠️ WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including DEHP, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
Compare Models
Powder coated
Made in Minnesota from medium density fiberboard (MDF), a wood composite material with excellent acoustic properties. Durable powder coat finish. Available in five colors.
Solid wood
Natural hardwood plinth in your choice of solid (not veneer) black walnut or white oak with a durable satin finish. Harvested from sustainably managed forests in the USA. Wood's natural variation is part of its distinctive beauty. The grain pattern, color, and texture of each plinth is unique.
The platter is the spinning surface that your record sits on. It plays a large role in maintaining speed consistency and preventing unwanted vibrations from reaching your stylus.
Basic
Made in Minnesota from medium density fiberboard (MDF), a wood composite material with excellent acoustic properties. Grooved platter for easy belt installation and use. Textured black powder coat finish. Felt platter mat included.
Acrylic
Superior speed consistency and playback clarity. Our frosted acrylic platter is precision machined in Massachusetts for ultimate flatness and virtually zero runout. Acrylic is remarkably effective at minimizing unwanted vibrations thanks to its high density and low stiffness. Grooved platter for easy belt installation and use. Felt platter mat included.
Cue Lever
Our silicone-damped Cue Lever helps you safely and precisely cue your records. Use the stainless steel lever to raise and lower the stylus or pause a record. It lowers the tonearm gently to protect your stylus. Also available as an upgrade to install at home.
None
No built-in preamp. Your turntable needs to be connected to either (a) an amplifier or powered speakers with a clearly labeled “phono” input or (b) an external phono preamp like this.
Built-in
Our built-in Pluto 2 Phono Preamp lets you connect your turntable directly to an amplifier or powered speakers. No additional equipment or cables needed. Pluto 2 combines elegant circuit design with high-quality components, and features a subsonic filter, dual gain stages, and a bypass switch. It’s also available as an external preamp.
Cartridges translate information contained within a record’s grooves into an audio signal. All our cartridge options are moving magnet (MM) and come with a diamond-tipped stylus (needle).
Audio-Technica AT91B
The AT91B is an excellent entry-level moving magnet cartridge. It features an aluminum cantilever, and delivers good musical detail with a slightly bright edge. The AT91B has a conical stylus, which somewhat limits trackability and playback resolution.
Ortofon OM5E
Built in Denmark, the Ortofon OM5E is known for its balanced and neutral sound profile. It’s a great choice for listeners who enjoy a wide variety of genres. The OM5E's elliptical diamond stylus gives it an edge over the AT91B when it comes to tracking accuracy and overall clarity.
Grado Green3
Grado cartridges have been hand-assembled in Brooklyn, NY since 1953. The Green3 features a unique 3-piece cantilever and twin-magnet system with proprietary Flux-Bridger generator, which is capable of higher resolution than standard moving magnet generators. These distinctive features give the Green3 its signature warm sound and impactful bass.
Ortofon 2M Red
The 2M Red is a versatile cartridge that has earned an excellent reputation among reviewers and everyday listeners. It features a more sophisticated generator and higher output level than its predecessor, the OM5E. The 2M Red engine features Ortofon’s signature split pole pins for extremely flat frequency response.
Ortofon 2M Blue
The 2M Blue delivers exceptional detail with very little distortion. It’s set apart by its highly polished nude elliptical stylus, which is shaped from a single diamond and pressed directly into the cantilever. This advanced single-piece stylus construction results in lower tip mass, which improves resolution and dynamics.
Iso-Level Feet
Aluminum feet with Sorbothane for advanced vibration isolation. Prevents unwanted vibration from reaching the stylus, so you hear the most subtle details of your music with total clarity. Adjustable-height design lets you precisely level your turntable using the included bubble level. Also available as an upgrade to install at home.
Manual
Change speeds (33/45 RPM) by moving the belt from one pulley groove to the other.
Electronic
Change speeds (33/45 RPM) with the turn of a knob. Our advanced motor controller ensures pinpoint speed accuracy by using a sine wave generator that monitors and adjusts speed thousands of times per second.
| Product |
 Orbit Basic
|
 Orbit Plus
|
 Orbit Special
|
 Orbit Custom
|
 Orbit Theory
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finish options | |||||
| Speed Control | Manual | Manual | Electronic | Manual or Electronic | Electronic |
| Platter | MDF | Machined Acrylic | Machined Acrylic | MDF or Acrylic | Machined Acrylic |
| Tonearm | OA3 | OA3 | OA3 | OA3 | OA3 Pro |
| Cartridge | Audio-Technica AT91B | Ortofon OM 5E | Ortofon 2M Red | 5 options | Ortofon 2M Blue or Bronze |
| Cue lever | Available separately | Available separately | Included | Optional | Included |
| Built-in preamp | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Feet | Rubber | Rubber | Rubber | Iso-Level or Rubber | Iso-Level |
| Motor | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Ultra-quiet |
| Price | $249+ | $399+ | $549+ | $249+ | $999+ |
| Links to product pages |