Best Turntables · head-to-head

Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO vs U-Turn Orbit Plus (Gen 2)

A sourced, side-by-side comparison. U-Turn Orbit Plus (Gen 2) is cheaper at $399. Every spec and price links to its source.

Which is better: the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO or U-Turn Orbit Plus (Gen 2)?

The Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO wins 1 of the 1 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The U-Turn Orbit Plus (Gen 2) is the cheaper at $399. Get the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO for the stronger spec sheet, the U-Turn Orbit Plus (Gen 2) to spend less.

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Full spec sheet

marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.

Spec Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO U-Turn Orbit Plus (Gen 2)
US price $599 $399
BrandPro-JectU-Turn Audio
Released20202023
Drive type belt belt
Speeds 33⅓ / 45 / 78 RPM 33⅓ / 45 RPM
Cartridge included Sumiko Rainier MM Ortofon OM5E
Built in preamp No No
Bluetooth No No
USB output No No
Weight (lb) 12.3 12.5
Release 2020 2023

Sources — Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO: project-audio.com (verified 2026-06-15). U-Turn Orbit Plus (Gen 2): uturnaudio.com (verified 2026-06-15).

What's the difference between the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO and U-Turn Orbit Plus (Gen 2)?

Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (3 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.

  • Speeds: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO 33⅓ / 45 / 78 RPM vs U-Turn Orbit Plus (Gen 2) 33⅓ / 45 RPM
  • Cartridge included: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO Sumiko Rainier MM vs U-Turn Orbit Plus (Gen 2) Ortofon OM5E
  • Weight (lb): Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO 12.3 vs U-Turn Orbit Plus (Gen 2) 12.5

What reviewers say

Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.

Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO

Two whitelisted testers reviewed this exact deck: What Hi-Fi (five stars) and TechRadar (Editor's Choice). Both praise a rich, warm yet detailed sound, automatic speed change and attractive finishes; both note it sounds less vigorous than a Rega rival. Neither published lab measurements, and both outlets are Future-owned, limiting independence. (2 sourced reviews.)

Praised: Rich, warm, full-bodied sound that stays detailed and revealing rather than muddy; New automatic speed-change switch removes the old manual belt-swapping chore; Wide choice of attractive finishes, including new satin colourways.

Flagged: Sounds more laid-back and less vigorous/precise than similarly priced Rega rivals; Faces tough competition at its price point; A little play noted in the Carbon tonearm bearings.

U-Turn Orbit Plus (Gen 2)

No sourced tester review yet.

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