Fluance RT85 vs U-Turn Audio Orbit Special
Side-by-side specifications and a plain-English account of the recorded differences. Full profiles: Fluance RT85 · U-Turn Audio Orbit Special.
| Specification | Fluance RT85 |
U-Turn Audio Orbit Special |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $550 | Highlighted difference. $549 |
| Category | Hi-fi | Hi-fi |
| Status | current | current |
| Years | 2019–present | 2023–present |
| Drive | belt drive | belt drive |
| Speeds | 33/45 rpm | 33/45 rpm |
| Operation | semi-automatic | manual |
| Cartridge supplied | Ortofon 2M Blue | Ortofon 2M Red |
| Phono stage | No | No |
| USB output | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Platter | acrylic | acrylic (grooved) |
| Tonearm | S-shaped aluminium | OA3 magnesium gimbal |
| Wow & flutter | <0.07% | 0.125% |
Practical differences
Highlighted cells show a lower reference price, support for more listed speeds, or the presence of a convenience feature. They are not an overall score.
The U-Turn Audio Orbit Special undercuts the Fluance RT85 by $1 — $549 against $550.
Both are belt-drive, so that part of the experience should feel similar on either deck: a motor that's mechanically isolated from the platter by an elastic belt, which is the usual route to a quieter noise floor — the default choice across most of hi-fi.
Operation differs: the Fluance RT85 is semi-automatic, the U-Turn Audio Orbit Special is manual.
Bottom line: $1 separates these reference prices. That difference is factual; this specification comparison does not assign an overall winner.
Live retailer offers
Checking current in-stock offers for Fluance RT85…
Retailer searches
3 US retailers stock Fluance — each outbound link searches the deck on that retailer’s site.
| Retailer | Type | Shipping | Product search |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | marketplace | Free shipping on $35+ orders (free on most items with Prime, often same/next day). | View at Amazon ↗ |
| Walmart | department store | Free shipping on orders $35+ (free with Walmart+); store pickup available. | View at Walmart ↗ |
| eBay | marketplace | Shipping set per seller; many listings ship free within the US. | View at eBay ↗ |
Live retailer offers
Checking current in-stock offers for U-Turn Audio Orbit Special…
Retailer searches
3 US retailers stock U-Turn Audio — each outbound link searches the deck on that retailer’s site.
| Retailer | Type | Shipping | Product search |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | marketplace | Free shipping on $35+ orders (free on most items with Prime, often same/next day). | View at Amazon ↗ |
| World Wide Stereo | hifi independent | Free shipping on all orders. | View at World Wide Stereo ↗ |
| eBay | marketplace | Shipping set per seller; many listings ship free within the US. | View at eBay ↗ |