Fluance RT85 Review - BEST Record Player under $500!?

[@philbert9117]

Hey Rocco, I'm still rocking my RT85 after 2 1/2 years. For Christmas 2022 I added the Zen iFi phono stage, and then a few months ago I upgraded it to the Ortofon Bronze. Great table! The only issue I've run into is that the dampening fluid for the tone arm went bone dry. So when I lowered the tone arm it would drop like a rock onto the record. After doing some internet searches I found that this is a bit of a known problem with a small subset of RTxx owners. I found a site called Turntable Basics that sell syringes of dampening fluid. I bought some from them, refilled the RT85's tone arm "well", and now it's all good again.

[@PiecesofVinyl]

Thanks for this - I have been wondering about the height of the resting position on mine - it seems to lower ok - but the height seems to be a bit low.

[@TheSkyistheLimit_SITL]

@@PiecesofVinyl I had to do the same for mine but I was aware of that issue before I got my Fluance. Now it works perfect and I know what to do with (if ever) the fluid dries up again.

[@allanhernandez2508]

I will definitely upgrade to the RT 85! I have the RT 81 currently.

[@curtbradley549]

Dampening Fluid ?? Please explain further lol ??

[@MrCbowman84]

Hi there. Great info on this unit! Both of my tables are B&O Beograms (RX-2 and TX-2 Tangential) and sound awesome. The TX-2 has pretty much no inner groove distortion. Both units are running a Nude (Solid) Diamond Hyper-Elliptical Stylus. I’m looking to purchase something new with matching fidelity after my last two cartridges bite the dust. How’s the inner groove distortion on the RT85 with the Ortofon Blue? Oh, and thanks for mentioning the VTA specs on this unit. Big help!

[@PiecesofVinyl]

I don’t seem to notice any distortion. I have also moved over to a Concorde Music Bronze on this and it sounds great! Good luck!

[@MrCbowman84]

@PiecesofVinyl Thanks for the response!

[@johnmiller3689]

Yes, I have the bamboo model, love it!

[@PiecesofVinyl]

It is def. sweet looking - after having the black for a while I got bored of it - the wood ones have more personality.

[@ericboehm4529]

Great video! Thanks again for your channel. Just a correction of sorts. At 13:26, there is not a straight upgrade path from the RT-80/81 to the RT-82/3/4/5. The 80 and 81 use not only a different plinth, but a different motor and belt setup. The belt in the 80/81 does not go around the platter, but around a sub-platter pulley that is of smaller diameter. This means the motor turns at a different rate for a given speed 33 vs 45. So a platter for an 82-85 will not work on an 80 or 81. Even the RT-81+ Elite does not use the acrylic platter. It is an acrylic mat on a thinner aluminum platter. I bought mine as an RT-82 refurb and upgraded the platter (and later the cart - Sumiko Moonstone). As for the 30 seconds before auto stop, two things: The auto stop works after 18 revolutions, just over 30 seconds. It only works with the auto stop switch in the back turned on. If the switch is off, the “semi-auto” feature does not function. That is, the table will start turning if the speed knob is set to either 33 or 45 no matter where the tonearm is. Keep up the great work!

[@PiecesofVinyl]

Thanks for the note! I should have looked more into detail on this and pointed out that the these lower models are probably the better Value since you get a lot of the same features for a cheaper price.

[@abc456f]

Mine is coming tomorrow. Was eyeing it for a while and this week, Fluance decided to run a 15% off sale. So a brand new RT-85 for $425. That's a no brainer. I picked the walnut, love that look. The last turntable I owned is a 30+ year old Technics SL-QD2. It still works and I recently took it out of the closet after decades, put an LP Gear stylus on the Shure cartridge. I bought some new albums as my old ones are in pretty rough shape. The sound blew me away, honestly. So now I'm firmly into vinyl and can't wait to hear my new RT-85!

[@PiecesofVinyl]

I have an older technics slqd2 with the pl mount cartridge. Still have it but this is a way better table IMO. You will enjoy and you did get a good price too!

[@abc456f]

@PiecesofVinyl Got it today. The clarity and detail are excellent. Very happy with it.

[@analoguecity3454]

I love mine! Mine is a "RT-84" model I bought in the summer of 2021, and it's still great! I put a acrylic "mat" on the original aluminum platter, and it does the job right!

[@PiecesofVinyl]

I should have stressed that going to the lower models is probably the better value - you are getting 99% of the same experience as the RT85 and you paid less! Good job!

[@onyx550]

I bought the fluance 83 and upgraded it to the acrylic platter still want to get the ortofon 2m blue I heard that it's a really good one for switching from the red one I also got the record weigh for it

[@PiecesofVinyl]

I have never used the Red - it's the only the only one I haven't tried (besides a mono edition) - I have been told that the jump from the Red to the blue is significant.

[@Waywardification]

Tomorrow I'm gonna go check out turn tables..and I'm very interested in this one. If it checks out as I see it...I'm buying it.

[@fts81]

Great dissection, Rocco

[@PiecesofVinyl]

Thanks Felipe!

[@abc456f]

Just ordered mine. Fluance is currently running a 15% off sale so I couldn't resist. Can't wait to get it!

[@PiecesofVinyl]

15% off on this is a no Brainer!

[@VictorEnnis-n1w]

I too have the RT85 with the Ortofon Blue cartridge. Love it and never had any issues at all. But that said I have had no other turntables to compare and contrast it against. May I ask what made you go with a different turntable as your new primary one? Thank you for the great video and much appreciated. Have a terrific day.

[@PiecesofVinyl]

I ended up getting a really good deal - and I wanted to try out some different cartridges and people started mentioning the VTA adjustment - or lack there of on the fluance - so that combined with the deal made me want to try it out.

[@slats66]

I scored this table 2 years ago. I have a variety of Ortofon and AT carts. They all work well. Amazing value!!!!

[@PiecesofVinyl]

I plan on trying out some AT carts eventually.

[@AgentPotat]

Great video, man. I can say you’ve convinced me to get one

[@PiecesofVinyl]

You will be very satisfied - just get a feather duster!

[@gregcarson3444]

Also recommended weight for the 2m blue is 1.8 grams, not 1.6. Bamboo is the best for not showing finger prints. I have had mine for 18 months and love it.

[@SkiBumMSP]

This is not the only video and review that has been giving the Fluance RT-85 a good review. I do like the style and does seem to be really nice for the $500 asking price. I am currently using a 1980's vintageTechnics SL-QL15 linear tracker. The thing is over 40 years old (don't know if mine was the original 1983 version or the revised 1989 release), but still works like brand-new, so don't intend to replace it anytime soon. I did just put an LP Gear Reference VS cartridge on it, and really sounds good. But if I ever need to replace my trusty ol' Technics, that Fluance is on my short list.

[@randyoleson]

Thanks for the great video. I wanted to upgrade from my 48 year old AR XB to something from the 21st century 😉 so have ordered the RT85. The acrylic platter and Ortofon Blue were the factors that influenced this decision. I will check the cartridge alignment when I receive it. Thanks for the alignment checking resources. What is your everyday use turntable now?

[@PiecesofVinyl]

I moved over to the AT-LP7 - which is only a fractional upgrade - I got a really good deal on it and it has an adjustable VTA - and I wanted to try out different cartridges. But you will be happy with the Fluance and the 2M Blue - What phono stage are you going to use? Or does your amp have one built in?

[@randyoleson]

@@PiecesofVinyl My Emotiva preamp has a phono preamp, but I have been using a Pro-Ject Phono Box MM, which I think sounds better. V

[@frope01]

I got an RT83 awhile ago. I really liked the look of the acrylic platter so I added that later. Maybe I’ll upgrade the cartridge but the red sounds great for now.

[@PiecesofVinyl]

Glad you are happy with it. I think it’s a very solid table.

[@Andersljungberg]

ortofon probably also has a test disk for setting track force. at least they have in the past I've also watched on KZbin how he shows how to set up a record player as precisely as possible

[@PiecesofVinyl]

the test disc also really helps with setting the Anti Skate.

[@rxonmymind8362]

Should I restore my Pioneer PL-707 or buy one of these? Auto vs manual doesn't matter to me. Opinions?

[@PiecesofVinyl]

Depends on what the repairs are and the cost on the pioneer. If it just need a new cartridge then def. Go with that. If the speed is off that can be tricky and costly to fix. Personally i had a vintage table for 20 years and only needed to replace the cart and a missing foot. But it did start to have speed issues and getting spare parts was pretty hard. So I got this instead.

[@robertendsley8312]

Good turntable. My mom's boyfriend got one. Do not know if it's with all of them but with no VTA one needs a slip mat (he got an acrylic one of course) so that the tone arm is parallel with the platter / record. Without the tone arm looks to be pointing down a little bit.

[@PiecesofVinyl]

Good to know I have been told using a slipmat as a "shim" can work. I will test that.

[@robertendsley8312]

Yes. That is the best way to describe it. Using a slip mat as a shim. I learned this from the Steve Hoffman forum talking about the Pioneer PLX 500. Even having the VTA on the tonearm all the way down. One. Even two extra slip mats may be need to achieve proper VTA and having the tone arm level with the record.

[@12_inch_spinnerz]

I'm seriously considering this. I've been looking at vintage, but the prices are outrageous. Coming from a sl1200 mk2, im more familiar with DD and not so much BD. I already have a Ortofon 2m blue and nagaoka mp-110 cartridge so adding the acrylic patter to the rt82 will make it the rt85. How do you like the fluance? Does it sound good and has stable speed?

[@PiecesofVinyl]

I love the fluance and for its price it’s hard to beat. There is a model specifically for the nagaoka that has an adjusted tone arm for the Nagaokas VTA. That said if you want to go a little higher in price (but not much) I also have the ATLP7 and it’s amazing. I have a 2M black on it. I made a review on that one too. I love em both!

[@budsmoker4201120]

Vta changes with every record. The bronze is awesome

[@PiecesofVinyl]

that would make sense - each record is a little thicker or thinner - and I agree the bronze is awesome!

[@ganonkenobi]

Running the cart a little light. The 2m Blu recommended tracking force is 1.8g

[@PiecesofVinyl]

I double checked that and it says between 1.6-1.8 and then it lists 1.8 recommended - and I must have mis read that for 1.6! It tracks nicely at this weight - but I will try a little higher.

[@ganonkenobi]

@@PiecesofVinyl if you're not having skipping issues and it sounds good you're probably good. Also probably a slight bit gentler on your pieces of vinyl!

[@madcrabber1113]

AT LP140XP Vta etc adjustments at the same price.

[@12_inch_spinnerz]

But have you put your hands on the 140xp? I have, it's not well made. Tap on the plinth during playback, and you get thumping sound through the speakers, so it's not damped at all, just plastic. The whole tome arm assembly is weak, I was able to check it, and it has a lot of play in it, the Whole assembly is loose. The target light is very cheap. The platter, when seated on the spindle, wobbles. The power plug , well I had to reseat the cable numerous times, it just didn't want to stay connected to the turntable. I returned the 140xp immediately

[@BansheeFifteen]

Two questions. You say you don't use the RT85 as your daily turntable. Why? If it's so great I would think you would. Also can the Azimuth be adjusted on the cartridge? Thanks for the video, I appreciate your work here.

[@PiecesofVinyl]

I did use it daily as my main table for about a year and half and then I got a really good deal on the current table I am using. I made a review about it was well. And this new one is an upgrade since it has a better tone arm system. But if I didn’t get the deal I wouldn’t have gotten it and still used the fluance. As for the azimuth - not it is fixed along with the VTA.

[@BansheeFifteen]

@@PiecesofVinyl Thanks for the info. My old Stanton 100 turntable the Azimuth is also non adjustable and I had to shim the cartridge to get it straight. I would hope Fluance has theirs straight.

[@mat.b.]

Love my 85N, felt it was the best bang for the buck. Dont even know what more I'd want if I could spend more.

[@cdhumiston]

It is the best IMO, sounds great with the Ortofon Bronze

[@booieaguilar4792]

Man, I pride myself in being one of the 1st to comment lol, but it's been a sh!t show today at work. Anyways, I'm gonna have to send you some pics of a turntable a friend of my moms gave me after her husband died. It's a old Montgomery Wards airline record and 8 track player with a AM/FM Dial also. The record player works just not sure about the 8 track player. But I wanna refurbishe it and get it looking shiny and new. Great video as always brotha man, nothing but love, and good vibes your way Rocco.

[@PiecesofVinyl]

Man - no worries at all! I always love just seeing your comments! That sounds like a super fun project - you should document it! Those projects can be fun - but expensive - but they are always worth it!

[@El_white_horse]

I know is big difference in price but how you compare with the technics sl-1500c ?

[@PiecesofVinyl]

They are both great tables - the Technics is a different kind of table in that its direct drive - but if I were to get a DD table - it would be a technics. I have never actually used a SL-1500C - but I have used other techics turntables and they are tanks!

[@7prs965]

Great reviewer.

[@Zhorellski]

This or Uturn 2 special and Pro-ject T2?

[@PiecesofVinyl]

I have not used the UTurn 2 special - but - they usually have the weights and strings thing for anti skate which I don’t like. But this one doesn’t seem to have that - if it can’t adjust the anti skate then I would go with the fluance. You get a blue vs. a red out of the box.

[@Zhorellski]

@@PiecesofVinyl Thanks, I'm waiting for Prime day, I heard Fluance RT85 went on sale last year's Amazon Prime day!

[@raygu1818]

No to U Turn

[@TBNTX]

In my opinion, the RT-85 is the best value presently available. I own one!

[@gregcarson3444]

You can not upgrade from the RT80 to the RT85, if you want to upgrade you must start at the RT82 then you can upgrade to the RT85.

[@PiecesofVinyl]

Thanks for the clarification!

[@yoten-tv5oc]

Fluance is not shipping to Europe! What a shame!

[@PiecesofVinyl]

That seems odd - I thought they did. Are there any distributors in EU that carry them?

[@gregcarson3444]

I ordered direct from Fluance and it came direct from Fluance.

[@budsmoker4201120]

I love my 85

[@ssnoc]

The 30 sec delay before it stops makes zero sense - Why wait 30 sec ? It should stop at the end - period. Seems like a mistake in engineering to me because it makes no sense at all.

[@PiecesofVinyl]

I kind of agree - but I don’t even use it at all. I think I turned it off.

[@war2thegrave]

Some records have sounds or whole loops playing in the locked groove at the end of the record.

[@mrmods7912]

The biggest let down on Fluance turntables is the tonearm! Its awful!

[@PiecesofVinyl]

I don't find it to be that bad - I wouldn't go above something like the 2M Bronze with it - but for a lot of people that is more then enough.

[@mrmods7912]

@@PiecesofVinyl the cueing lever is awful too ... Plastic!!

[@mrmods7912]

Why do people keep buying this crap turntable? The tonearm and gimbal bearings are a disgrace! Crappy plastic cueing lever... They have just put an ok cartridge on a crap turntable... And people have fallen for it

[@PiecesofVinyl]

I think in its price range it’s just fine. A lot of the others in this range have even worse tone arms - and they are actually more expensive. You can get into these for around $300 - it’s really not that bad.

[@paulrogers7067]

Poor quality to start with the platter and cables omg