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11 turntables that look weird and sound insane

In case you haven’t heard, vinyl is in the midst of a big comeback. And you might be surprised to learn it’s not just the hipster and DJ crowd responsible for its resurgence. Vinyl records, both used and new, are experiencing some healthy sales online and in local record shops, and the people who are buying them are just like you and me. What newcomers to the classic music medium may be unaware of, however, is that there’s always been a an underground group of audiophile elite – call them the 1 percent of audiophiles – who never gave up on vinyl. In fact, they may never have loved anything else. 

To call these people eccentric might be a bit of an understatement. These are enthusiasts who spend most of their time in their wood-paneled libraries, sipping expensive whiskey and listening to records on insanely expensive turntables through equally opulent tube pre-amps and headphones that cost more than your car. But before we go too far calling their priorities into question, let’s give them thanks, because if it weren’t for them, nobody would make turntables as outrageous as these. Enjoy our pick of the most out-of-this-world turntables ever made. 

Caleb Denison
Digital Trends Editor at Large Caleb Denison is a sought-after writer, speaker, and television correspondent with unmatched…
U-Turn Audio launches the next generation of Orbit turntables
EMBARGOED UNTIL AUG. 23 7AM: NTIL AUG. 23 7AM: The U-Turn Orbit Plus in oak.

For the first time since storming the turntable scene in 2012 with its Kickstarter "Orbit Turntable," U-Turn Audio has given its Orbit lineup of turntables a welcome revamp that includes a redesigned magnesium tonearm, electronic speed control, a new grooved platter, and additional finish options. And that's just for starters. The customizability of the Orbit turntable remains intact, as does its affordability across the range, which runs in price from $250 to $550.

When U-Turn launched its first premium turntable, the Orbit Theory, in late 2022, we gave it a glowing review, mainly because it's one of the best turntables we've ever seen, but also because the company built on its decade of experience to eliminate some key gripes from many Orbit owners and to design some pretty great new components. For 2023, U-Turn is tapping into some of that Theory innovation and applying it to the rest of the Orbit range, which includes the Orbit Basic, Orbit Plus, and Orbit Special. these are all great turntables whether you're just getting started with vinyl records or already on your way.

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House of Marley goes Lux with its revamped Stir it Up turntable
The revamped House of Marley Stir It Up Lux turntable with its zoetrope slip mat.

House of Marley's popular Stir it Up line of sustainable turntables has gotten a sharp new look, some upgraded parts, and a trippy zoetrope slipmat that features some dancing animated Bob Marleys for when you, er, blaze your fire. The House of Marley Stir it Up Lux Bluetooth turntable, sales of which go toward supporting its Project Marley reforestation initiative, is available as of today for $400.

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Fluance’s new RT81+ flagship turntable is $300 worth of versatility
The Fluance RT81+ Elite turntable with a white speaker on a table.

Canadian hi-fi audio makers Fluance today launched a new addition to its flagship Elite lineup of turntables, the RT81+ Elite High Fidelity Vinyl Turntable, an upgraded version of its popular entry-level record player, the RT81. Known for their hefty build quality and stable, anti-resonant performance, the $300 RT81+ pushes things further with a new Audio-Technica cartridge that is fully upgradeable, a redesigned anti-resonant aluminum platter, and new sound-isolating feet.

At the $300 price range, the belt-driven Fluance RT81+ Elite straddles the fine line between entry-level and mid-range, making an intriguing option for those just getting into vinyl records and those who either have a little more money to spend or want to take the next step. Like many of Fluance's other turntables, like the higher-end RT85N Reference turntable, what helps make these next steps possible is upgradeability.

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