Fluance RT85 Turntable - The Best $500 Turntable Option?

Today we take a look at the Fluance RT85 Turntable. Priced at $500 and loaded with high-end features, we wanted to see if it really is as good as it seems!
Fluance RT85 Turntable: amzn.to/3ti3AK9
Cambridge Audio Alva Duo: amzn.to/3zNI4An
Jellyfish “Spilt Milk”:amzn.to/3t0EY8q
Khruangbin “Mordechai Remixes”: amzn.to/3FMuQHY
Uncle Tupelo “No Depression”: amzn.to/3U4UwUp
St. Paul & The Broken Bones “Young Sick Camelia”: amzn.to/3NCU8Kk
Wilco “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot Deluxe”: amzn.to/3NBO7O3
Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema 6K: amzn.to/3E1l03w
Rokinon Cine DS Lenses: amzn.to/3zIcnby
Tascam DR-10L: amzn.to/3fyhKDz
If you're in the market for a good turntable, the Fluance RT85 is a great option to consider! In this review, we'll take a look at everything you need to know about this affordable turntable, from its features to its performance.
If you're looking for the best $500 turntable option, the Fluance RT85 is a great choice! It has all the features you need and its performance is top notch. So if you're in the market for a good turntable, be sure to check out the Fluance RT85!
00:00 Intro
00:27 Specs, Options & Details
04:18 Setup & Initial Thoughts
06:33 Sound Quality
10:33 Verdict
#fluance #vinylcommunity #recordcollector

[@arealclassact55]

Came for the turntable review, left with 2 new albums to listen to 🎉

[@av_nirvana]

Which two?!?

[@arealclassact55]

@@av_nirvana that jellyfish one and young sick camellia

[@av_nirvana]

Ahhh yes. That Jellyfish album is hard to come by. Such an incredible band. Members are still out there doing incredible things on their own. I’m excited to see St Paul and the Broken Bones at Bumbershoot this summer.

[@CHICO976]

I have owned many turntable in my 84 years and recently bought the RT 85 with the 2mblue cart and even though the price I paid for it wasn't in Canadian dollars ( had to pay exchange and taxes) it is well worth what I paid n the end...My system is primarily vintage and the amps and receivers I have , have great phono stages, I dd buy a fluance PA 10 phono amp to hear the difference with the RIAA reversing mode much talked about. and I was truly surprised at the difference...It is a wonderful TT and will be the last one I will buy...great video ..thanks

[@velchuck]

I own the RT85, and love it. It is without doubt, the best bang for the buck. I highly recommend it. Well done Fluance!

[@rubydog2]

I read/watched reviews for months and I always came back to the RT85. It arrived a week ago, and I just love it!

[@av_nirvana]

It's a really great value. The Ortofon 2M Blue is a fantastic cartridge, and the acrylic platter makes a huge difference as well.

[@dizzle1119]

Please avoid the "rabbit hole", dude. I bought one of these Fluance turntables....and now I've got like $1,500 worth of add-ons & upgrades for this thing. I could have bought a $2,000 turntable to begin with. It feels like it's not "that expensive"...because it's $150 for a demo phono preamp here...and $350 for a used stylus there...and $150 for some isolation feet here....but before you know it, you've got WAY too much $$$ wrapped up in this thing, because you chased the rabbit all the way down the hole. Don't do it. Don't!!!

[@TheRealKaner]

RT82 with OM10, and acrylic platter. Then get an extra headshell and put on whatever (upgraded) cart/stylus you want.

[@ganonkenobi]

I love my RT-85, I'm sensitive to sibilance and upgraded to the at-vm540ml and it's a game changer!

[@petersammon8771]

❤ thanks for the great video! I have an rt81 fitted with a Audio Technica xp5 and it sounds wonderful with Wide Stereo Imaging and very smooth.😊

[@zizendorf]

Great review! Really enjoyed your style in the video! And, that you mentioned a number of the bands I love! Agreed! (Oh, I have an RT85, planted atop a square of cork on top of my bookshelf, with a slab of marble on top of that. That adjustment removed all resonance!)

[@davidquinn6481]

I've had my RT85 for a while now. I like the Ortofon Blue that came with it, but I replaced it with a Nagaoka MP 150 and I am totally blown away with this combination. The auto shut off feature seals the deal for me. Overall, a solid turntable that will allow you to enjoy your vinyl collection for years to come.

[@mic982]

Woah! I thought the Nagaoka cartridge required 0.5mm higher tonearm height which makes it not interchangeable with the Ortofon 2M. At least, that's what Fluance tells me. R U sure things are setup correctly?

[@davidquinn6481]

@@mic982 As I understand it, you can replace the MP 110 stylus with the MP 150 stylus. The RT 85 is also available with the MP 110 cartridge. Not sure if the Nagaoka version has a different tonearm height. All I can say is that I have had no issues with this setup at all. This cartridge sounds great with my turntable.

[@davidquinn6481]

@@mic982 I went to Fluance's website and saw the reference to the tonearm height. While I like the sound of the MP150 on my turntable, I now have the nagging little voice in the back of my head about this. Will go back to the Ortofon blue and will probably try and talk myself out of a turntable upgrade in the near future, because I like the MP 150 that much. My wife's going to love this! lol Appreciate the input Mic...

[@tomarnold6550]

This is my first real TT. I only have an hour or so on it, but so far it sounds amazing running off a Sansui 9090db and Wharfedale Lintons.

[@silkhead44]

I got the one in bamboo it looks gorgeous no shiner mirror effect on it

[@cyprianskiba8768]

Nice review

[@Jammerk40]

I have the RT-82B that is Bamboo look and I love this look! I didn't like the Ortofon 10M To low of output so I went with my Shure 97E cartridge!

[@doodahdavesrecords4319]

Thank you for the review I am thinking about the RT82 then upgrade cart and acrylic platter

[@av_nirvana]

You’d save money by going straight to the RT85. The cart on the 85 is close to $200 on its own.

[@mic982]

Best $500 table? Well, I think so, but I own one and am probably biased. I did a lot of shopping around before I bought and it seemed the best to me. Now it's time for someone else to top Fluance. It won't be easy.

[@av_nirvana]

With the 2M Blue cart, the value in this table is incredible. In my research I’ve found that in this price range, you have to give up features for performance, or vice versa. I’ll be posting a review of the turntable I ended up buying in the next couple weeks, and I had to spend quite a bit more to hit the next price/performance/features sweet spot. Completely different budget range for what I chose.

[@davidgena2667]

I’ve owned the Fluance RT80, 81, 83 & 85 and have loved them all. Terrific tables all….great to look at and great to listen to.

[@av_nirvana]

I certainly enjoyed my time with the RT-85, but my forever table arrived on Friday, so watch the channel in the next month or two for that review!

[@jimshea7052]

Ya sure

[@CHICO976]

I bought the rt-85 over a year ago andIam really happy with although I had to pay exchange rates etc that brought the price to $8000 Canadian ...as I am nearly 85..this will be the last TT I wil buy..I have owned 5 TTs in my life I still have a Taya LP-100 with a Shure V15II cart witch I still use...

[@CHICO976]

$800

[@chriskellas2902]

I recently picked up the RT85N loving it so far, but I hate cheap feeling cueing lever and its proximity to the tone arm I really have to be mindful when cueing.

[@av_nirvana]

Coming from my ProJect Debut Carbon, the cue lever on the Fluance is much, much higher quality.

[@velchuck]

I modified my cueing lever. Mine was the straight lever. I noticed that some came with a offset lever. I contacted Fluance and ask them to send the offset version. Well they sent me the same that came on it. I removed the cue lever, and gave it the offset I was looking for. Works way better. Also I noticed that some reviews didn’t like the way the arm jumped up when raising. Well the offset even made the cueing smoother.

[@mic982]

@@velchuckHow did you achieve the offset? In my review of the table I had two things primarily that I disliked: the cuing lever (and it's cheap 'feel') and the faint markings on the counterweight (hard to see in dim light). The second was not really a big concern since the answer was to set the weight to the proper setting in adequate light and leave it alone. But the cuing lever has continued to irk me just a bit. Not enough to rate the table down. I did send feedback to Fluance about it though and suggested they address the cuing lever on future models. The cuing lever on my old vintage TT was much more substantial and better damped. It was all metal and rock solid, no wiggle. Fluance needs to make that happen.

[@nuspinesteven]

Great video! Thanks for sharing. One question for a vinyl newbie...why the ALVA Duo (phono stage?) AND B&K preamp? Sounds like redundancy? Thanks

[@av_nirvana]

B&K doesn’t have a phono stage and I was running powered speakers at the time of this video. The entire setup is different now.

[@gregcarson3444]

I personally am looking for a secondary system for my home office, and am looking of the combo group of the RT85 and Fluance’s AI81 powered speakers.

[@av_nirvana]

That sounds like a great place to work!

[@gkanecki9277]

I've got RT85 but upgraded cartridge to Audiotechnika AT-VM95SH/H (Shibata cut). it was like whoooo-ah! Even old worn records sounds much better compare to Ortofon. Sound is crispy and dynamic.

[@bigaldallas]

how did you get the vta right for AT being ortofon and AT rake angles are different

[@gkanecki9277]

@@bigaldallas hi, I went to easy way. Its about 4mm pad on plate made the arm in great level. However with or without the pad I cant hear the difference so I think is more "magic" than sound itself. Im the one who listen the music not measure it 😀 Regards!

[@MarkSWilliams27]

I wish people would quit saying things like "cart". Also "partnering" and making everything into a verb. (Which you are not guilty of. Just saying.) Good review on a nice turntable. My choice would be the Nagaoka as I own a Nagaoka MP-500. Thanks.

[@av_nirvana]

The Nagaoka was not available when they shipped the demo unit, it only became available while I had the turntable in for review. Cart had never bothered me but I’m not a fan of people using Panny and Sammy for Panasonic and Samsung. Like, what are you going to do with all that time you saved?

[@rand9994]

Great vid. Is the Rockville No Depression worth the premium over the Legacy 2012 pressing?

[@av_nirvana]

I got it for $0.25 and haven’t heard the Legacy pressing so I can’t say. But it sounds great and it’s the actual copy of the album that turned me onto the band from my old college radio station!

[@rand9994]

​@@av_nirvana Saw them live at one of their last shows in Springfield, MO. Always glad when I hear someone bring up my favorite band.

[@6643bear]

Hi great informative video, I went with rega plannar3 with brand new Eylis 2 cartridge , only because was second only 5months old and was under £500 ,I had a rp2 years ago . But the rt85 is very good tho . Regards mark

[@av_nirvana]

I ended up landing on a Rega Planar 6. Significant price differential but significant performance increase as well. I’ve enjoyed every Rega table I’ve ever heard so no doubt you’re very pleased!

[@6643bear]

@@av_nirvana thanks for your replay , over 30yrs ago I had rega planar 2 with linn k9 cartilage and that sound petty good, I was looking at rt85 as good reviews but I had optimally to get this 5month old rega planar 3 with brand new elyis2 cartilage fitted for £500 , I was going to buy rega plantar 2 also Healy new but the shop sold it although still available on line and shop owner said look out as for some rega planner 3 at good prices comming up soon . Regards mark

[@RM-ks8pp]

Nice review. I'm just about ready to pull the trigger on purchasing the RT-85 to replace my technics SL-D303 but would like to know how slippery that acrylic platter is when the record is placed directly on it and using a record brush with slight pressure be put on the record to clean any dust off before dropping the needle. Also how does the Ortofon 2M blue vs the 2M red handle classic rock albums like Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Rush...etc.. My system is a Yamaha AS-2200 integrated amp pushing a pair of Klipsch RF-7 III speakers. Also have a pair of Pioneer HPM-100 speakers that are sitting idle but may hook them up just to see waht they would sound like with this turntable...

[@av_nirvana]

I believe I did have one or two records that slipped when brushing them off, but never considered it a major problem. You can always add a thin mat if you like. I had the Ortofon 2M red on my Project, and I feel like the 2M blue was a huge improvement across all music types, including Pink Floyd, Zepplin, KISS, the Cult, and more.

[@RM-ks8pp]

@@av_nirvana ..Thanks! for the reply. One other thing , I have read that sometimes the auto shut off at the end of the record sometimes does not shut off depending on the record. Have you had this happen in your experience with this turntable?.

[@av_nirvana]

Yes, it was cool when it worked, but it didn’t work more than it did. Not a dealbreaker for me because I’m accustomed to fully manual tables.

[@jeffreyboisvert1130]

I find that the auto shutoff always works, but it takes 15 or so revolutions before it does. This is so you can hear any intentional recording added to the run out groove such as on Sgt. Pepper.

[@vudo2555]

I'm a few days away from finally making the move to purchase the RT85 to replace a vintage Technics SL-210 I have. My hesitation is based on 2 unknowns: Does the MP-110 make a more preferred match for this table over the the Ortofon Blue? and...Out of of all the finishes which one looks less cheap (excluding white) and could the bamboo finish possibly be the winner? Would love to see some comments from others on this and also what AV NIRVANA might have to say regarding the the 2 carts offered in comparison (why did you go with the Blue over the MP-110?).

[@av_nirvana]

I didn't have a chance to choose my configuration, they just sent me what they had ready to ship out. I was hoping to get a second headshell with an MP-110 mounted so I could easily compare, but no-go. I've heard they sound pretty similar. The finish they sent me is the only finish I've seen in person, but I do think the bamboo could be the best looking option.

[@jeffreyboisvert1130]

I completely disagree with your comment about the speed control knob. It feels solid and high quality. I also disagree with your comments concerning the finish. The gloss really brings out the warmth of the veneer on the walnut model.

[@user-zh6od2ic1n]

if you own this unit, do you prefer a platter mat or the bare acrylic platter?

[@av_nirvana]

I do not own it, but I used it without a mat for most of the review and prefer to use a turntable the way it ships. I use a mat on my Rega because they ship it with one.

[@alferro3149]

It looks like a good starter tt. Speed switch not a big deal for me, especially if is not of good quality. A tt should last tens of years. I owned my rega p3 for more than 20 years and I kept upgrading it.

[@av_nirvana]

It is a great starter, and would be plenty enough for probably 80% of users.

[@photoman25]

I have a vintage Pioneer PL-560 fully automatic direct drive turntable. I’m trying to decide if I should spend $300+ in maintenance/repair (rubber feet disintegrated and I don’t think anti-skate works properly) or should I just buy the RT85. Thoughts?

[@av_nirvana]

If it were me I’d take the Pioneer into a reputable shop and get it up and running.

[@photoman25]

Austin Stereo (Texas) is willing to work on it for a minimum of $400. Restored units seem to be selling for $500 to $1000 Mine seems to be in the best shape of any I’ve seen. The bad news is that if a chip goes out, there a no new replacements so it’s a risk.

[@magnificentmusicusa]

Very good video! I have RT85 and I want to upgrade the stylus after 1000 hours or so to the better one, the Bronze. Is that possible? Thank you!

[@av_nirvana]

Yes you can! Any 2M stylus should be compatible, just don’t spend for a higher quality stylus than your system can resolve. I ended up with a Rega table and just upgraded my preamp to realize full quality. The bronze should be a great choice for that table.

[@magnificentmusicusa]

Thanks for answering! I will look to see how Rega is. RT85 is my 1st TT. Correct.. the value of the TT was $500 and the 2M Bronze is also $500. I would like to upgrade my stereo system to Marantz 40n or Cineva 70...not sure yet...just to have 2.1 system with TV.

[@av_nirvana]

That’s a fantastic first turntable and those are great amp choices. I’d go Bronze (just the stylus not the whole cart), and then look at upgrading the phono preamp beyond the built-in preamps. You might be surprised how much difference the preamp makes, and matching the voltages with the cartridge selection.

[@magnificentmusicusa]

@@av_nirvana Then you recommend to buy phono preamp even though I will connect my TT to Marantz 40n?

[@av_nirvana]

Not necessarily, but it might be worth looking into if you feel like you should be getting better performance. Often the phono preamps built in to receivers are average at best, and a good preamp can make a huge difference.

[@JustASillyPhase]

Your review pretty well summed up why I'm on the verge of buying an RT85...for the price point, the cartridge, platter, isolation. I'm concerned about the high wow and flutter you report, between 0.36-0.53%. Fluance's published spec on is 0.07%. Is it common to have real-world measurements so far off? I don't know turntable specs too well, but I have good ears and a cursory search of the interwebs indicates 0.5% might be noticeable to some folks. Consistent with what you report. Wouldn't this be grounds to reject a copy and ask for another one?

[@av_nirvana]

I’m guessing Fluance measured with more accurate tools than my phone apps, but the Rega Planar 6 I ended up bringing in and keeping measures .03% with the same apps in the same location, so there’s definitely a difference, could’ve just been the sample I had in house. I was able to hear it, but it also seemed to decrease after playing a side, like the motor warmed up, loosened up, or just got into a groove, but starting cold it was repeatable during each session.

[@staggerlee6794]

Dude, (or anyone else) do you know how the RT85 performs with a mono cartridge? I am thinking of setting up a secondary turntable to use predominately with a mono cartridge. This is to save me swapping between stereo/mono cartridges every time I want to play a mono album. Thank you in advance.

[@av_nirvana]

I did not test it with a mono cart. That’s a road I’m not going down. And by “road” I mean “additional money pit”. I have enough expensive hobbies. 😂

[@staggerlee6794]

@@av_nirvana 😆 I hear ya. brother!

[@DavidRyan-li6fg]

Someone Should Point Out That If You Live In the UK and need a new drive belt for a Fluance RT85.. You are looking at £120 with delivery and taxes... Which is Ridiculous, And Has steered me towards a Project Debut Carbon Evo Instead

[@laika25]

What about amp? You mention your phono amp stage and your preamp, (and speakers), but no mention of an amp (power or integrated/receiver). Am I not listening/watching carefully enough? Thanks

[@av_nirvana]

At that time I was using the Bang & Olufsen BeoLab 8000 speakers which are powered.

[@laika25]

@@av_nirvana Oh, i see, thanks

[@ck5404]

Does it have auto stop or auto lift ?

[@av_nirvana]

It does have auto lift tho I found it unreliable.

[@ck5404]

@@av_nirvana oh ok, thanks

[@silkhead44]

It does not have auto lift it has Auto Stop

[@bochristensen1969]

I like my pro-ject truntable

[@av_nirvana]

I owned two different ProJect turntables that served me well for many years, just decided to go a different direction.

[@frozerekmeyata4091]

Fluance says that the wow and flutter is .07, so I guess they are lying about their wow and flutter. Having said that, every single review that I've read or listened to has ALL said that the Fluance RT85 is the best TT under $1,000! Usually, reviews are a mixed bag but not in this case. I was set to buy the RT85 because my 1976 Rotel RP1000 had issues that are repairable but would cost around $150 to $200 to take care of. I went on several different forums and they have ALL said to get the Rotel fixed that it would be a better turntable. So that's what I've decided to do.

[@av_nirvana]

I’d go with the Rega Planar 1 or 1+ in the $1000 and under range but the RT85 is certainly a standout at $500. But yes, definitely repair the Rotel if you have a shop you know and trust. Much better way to spend.

[@jeffreysantner3717]

Messing up the wiring once doesn't make you prone to doing it again. If the Fluance 85 with the blue were a direct drive? Sold!!!

[@b.2221]

Well if you can sleep at night Sir then good for you I just hope that your bank balance justifies this point of view of yours.

[@av_nirvana]

Okay.

[@jimshea7052]

Where they made?

[@av_nirvana]

Fluance turntables are designed in Ontario, Canada, but manufactured in Taiwan.

[@jimshea7052]

That means junk guys. Half the cost of a 500 dollar turntable for the cartridge. Just wow

[@ballstadt]

It's actually a great idea for an entry-level turntable like this. The cart has more impact on the overall sound quality than any other aspect of the turntable, so for someone testing the waters of vinyl playback, it's better to get them something with a solid cartridge so they can enjoy their records. Eventually they may decide to upgrade to overcome some of the other limitations of the RT85, but it has high enough sound quality out of the box to show people what vinyl can sound like on a budget table. That's a much better offering than selling something with a crappy cartridge that won't sound decent right out of the box and having them give up altogether, thinking vinyl can't sound good.