I don't consider my self an audiophile. My primary pair of headphones was the wired ones that came with my phone for years. I find it difficult to distinguish between FLAC and MP3. I did however purchase a U-Turn Audio Orbit Plus turntable and a pair Kanto YU4 speakers, as well as several vinyl records from eBay. What is the secret to this?It all started almost a decade ago, when I joined a They Might Be Giants fan group. The band would send members bumper stickers and tshirts for an annual fee. They also sent several 7-inch singles and occasionally a 12-inch LP. Two years later, I had amassed a small collection of vinyl records that I could not play.I didn't want to spend a lot of money so I decided to buy a Crosley Cruiser Deluxe at a discount price (you know, that one in a suitcase that every late-millennial hipster bought at Target a few years ago). Although I was not expecting much, it managed to disappoint me with its flat and thin audio, which sounded terrible to my untrained ears.EngadgetThe experience was enchanting, however. It was hypnotic to place a record on a platter, watch it spin, and then witness the needle transform its grooves into sound. It also brought back memories of my childhood. I used to spend hours listening to cassette tapes and CDs in my bedroom, reading the liner notes, and playing records. I was able to lose myself in the music in a way Spotify playlists can't match.I searched for better-quality turntables but couldn't find any. I wasn't willing to spend more on equipment such as amplifiers, preamps, and speakers. Aside from that, I was not sure my non-audiophile ears could distinguish between digital and vinyl. It wasn't worth it.As time passed, however, I began to long for one. It sounds shallow, but I find turntables to be cool. Vinyl has seen a revival and artists are now releasing special edition LPs that include album artwork and bonus tracks that can't be found elsewhere. Although you might call me pretentious, I find the idea of owning something tangible and beautiful that supports an artist I admire appealing to me.Engadget2020 came along, and I decided in a fit o' quarantine-induced mania that now was the right time to give in to my vinyl lust of all those years. I did a lot of research, including reading reviews and looking at YouTube videos. Finally, I found a system that was affordable, stylish, and of high quality. It also met my budget.U-Turn Audios Orbit PLUS ($309) was the turntable I chose. Although it is not as affordable as the Orbit Basic ($200), it's still quite affordable when compared to other high-end turntables. U-Turn Audio's minimalistic and sleek design is one of the main reasons I chose to go with them. The acrylic platter allows for consistent speeds, which is why I chose the Plus over the Basic. I also received the Ortofon OM5E cartridge. It has a neutral sound and a balanced sound.The U-Turn audio was so easy to put together, even though I've never used it before. The tonearm and cartridge were already installed when I received it. It took me just five minutes to position the platter, mat, and belt and connect the plugs. It's as simple as inserting the belt into another pulley groove to change speeds from 33 rpm to 45 rpm.EngadgetThe Orbit Plus's customizable nature is another thing I love about it. There are many options for colors to choose from, so I can change the cartridge later to get something more expensive. You could add a built in phono preamp to amplify the signal from your cartridge to your amplifiers or speakers, or a cue lever to lower and raise the tonearm. These options, other than the color change, will add extra cost. For example, the Orbit Plus will cost $379 more if you add the preamp.Because I chose the Kanto YU4s as my speakers, I decided to not include a preamp on Orbit Plus. Because I wanted the setup to be as simple as possible, I opted against separate components such as an amplifier or standalone phono preamp. I can do this with powered speakers such as the YU4. The YU4's versatility is actually one of its greatest strengths. You can use it with RCA, AUX, and optical inputs. It also has a USB charger port, a subwoofer output and Bluetooth capabilities. The latter feature allows me to use the YU4 often as computer speakers.EngadgetThe YU4s look great! Its minimalist, modern design matches well with the Orbit Plus. It's currently positioned with the YU4s on each side, and it looks great together. I also found the price of the YU4s ($370) to be very reasonable, considering all its features.The audio quality in this setup was excellent for me, a self-confessed non-audiophile. The highs sound clear and the volume is loud enough to fill the entire room. One complaint is that the Kanto YU4's bass is a little weak. Although it is there, the bass is not as thumpy or as deep as I would prefer. Kanto sells a separate subwoofer to add bass, but it costs $300. I'm happy with the Kanto unit.Since purchasing the turntable, I have spent many evenings listening to complete albums in my own room without any distractions from my phone or computer. I enjoy the process of cleaning and putting back each record in its sleeves. This has become a way for me to practice meditative self care. Is this too precious? Is that a hipster? It is, however, not impossible. In the midst a pandemic, however, I'll do whatever self-care I can to help myself.
