Fluance RT85 Turntable Review
In the world of vinyl enthusiasts, where analog warmth meets modern precision, the Fluance RT85 Turntable shines as a compelling choice. Whether you’re a seasoned audiophile or a newcomer ready to deepen your love for vinyl, this Canadian-engineered turntable promises to deliver an immersive, high-fidelity listening experience without breaking the bank. Let’s dive deep into what makes the RT85 a top contender in its league.
Key Features That Set the RT85 Apart
Before pressing ‘play,’ it’s worth highlighting the RT85’s feature-rich design that sets it apart from many other turntables in its class:
Stunning Analog Sound with Ortofon 2M Blue Cartridge
Right out of the box, the Fluance RT85 boasts a nude elliptical Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge, praised for its rich, natural, and elegant sound signature. This cartridge is favored by audiophiles for reproducing detailed nuances across the frequency spectrum—no coloration, just pure audio bliss. Its moving magnet design allows for greater resolution and dynamics, ensuring you hear your records as the artist intended.
Acrylic Platter for Exceptional Speed Consistency and Vibration Control
The RT85’s 12-inch, 3-pound acrylic platter is a showstopper. Acrylic’s resonance frequency matches that of vinyl itself, which helps cancel out unwanted vibrations and reverberations, resulting in a clearer, three-dimensional soundstage. Greater platter mass translates to steadier rotational inertia, which means your records will spin with uniform speed and minimal flutter for better bass definition and richer midrange tones.
Related: Denon DP-3000NE Turntable Review
Servo-Controlled Belt Drive with Optical Speed Sensor
Mild jitter? Not here. The servo-controlled DC motor, monitored 500 times per second by an optical sensor, maintains astonishingly precise speed control with an ultra-low wow and flutter rating of 0.07%. This clever engineering keeps pitch stable and rumble to a minimum, even during prolonged playback, so your tunes always stay true.
Solid, Resonance-Damping MDF Wood Chassis with Walnut Veneer
The turntable’s multi-layered MDF wood chassis blends durability with acoustic isolation, preventing unwanted resonance from muddying up your sound. The Fluance RT85 Turntable is available in four elegant finishes – walnut, piano white, piano black, and bamboo. It doesn’t just look classy—it’s part of a design philosophy to ensure natural warmth extends from the cabinet to your ears. Also included are adjustable sound dampening feet, which help isolate external vibrations for more accurate sound reproduction.
Thoughtful Accessories and Convenience Features
Fluance bundles the RT85 with everything you need: a tinted dust cover with hinges, bubble level for setup, counterweight, 45 RPM adapter, RCA cables, grounding wires, and even cotton gloves to keep your records pristine. The static balanced S-type tonearm with adjustable counterweight and anti-skating caters to precision tracking and gentle cueing.
Performance and User Experience
The Fluance RT85 Turntable stands tall in both performance and ease of use, as noted by many users.
Discover the Fluance RT85 Turntable
Sound Quality: Audiophile Approved
Users consistently highlight the RT85’s exceptional sound quality. The Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge paired with the high-mass acrylic platter delivers a warm, natural, and detailed sound profile that breathes new life into LPs and EPs. Owners with quality receivers, such as Denon, have found the pairing to be superb—showcasing the minutest layers of instruments and vocals, with a 3D soundstage that invites you to lose yourself in the music.
A recurring theme in reviews is the noticeable improvement over entry-level turntables, especially in bass definition and midrange clarity. The analog output path with no built-in phono preamp ensures purity in signal transmission, appealing to true audiophiles.
Build Quality: Solid Meets Stylish
The RT85 absolutely nails the “built to last” vibe thanks to its mass-loaded MDF base and sturdy acrylic platter. The exterior is not only eye-catching but feels luxurious and durable. Many users delighted in the premium finish, noting it elevates any setup with a timeless aesthetic.
Ease of Use: Mostly Smooth Sailing
Setup is straightforward thanks to the included bubble level and comprehensive manual. The adjustable tonearm and counterweight allow fine-tuning to accommodate the cartridge perfectly, even for those new to vinyl gear. The cueing lever ensures gentle needle placement, reducing record wear.
One point that received mixed feedback is the auto-stop feature. While some users say it works flawlessly—automatically pausing playback at the end of a record or side—others report occasional glitches, with the turntable not always stopping on cue. It’s a minor quibble in an otherwise polished package.
No Built-In Phono Preamp: Worth Mentioning
It’s important to note that the RT85 does not have a built-in phono preamp. Buyers will need a separate phono preamp or a receiver with a dedicated phono input to fully appreciate the rich sound signature and get the proper signal level. This is standard in mid-to-high end turntables and gives users freedom to select their preferred amplification.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Superb sound clarity and warmth, thanks to Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge and acrylic platter
- Solid, stylish build with a high-mass MDF plinth, offered in Piano Black, Piano White, Walnut (real-wood veneer), and Bamboo finishes.
- Excellent speed stability, minimal wow and flutter from servo-controlled motor
- Included accessories cover everything needed for setup and protection
- Adjustable tonearm and anti-skate for precision tracking
- Highly rated by thousands of users, consistently praised for audio quality
Cons
- Auto-stop mechanism can be inconsistent for some owners (mixed user experience)
- No built-in phono preamp, so additional equipment is required
- Does not support 78 RPM playback (only 33 1/3 and 45 RPM speeds)
- No wireless streaming or Bluetooth — strictly a traditional vinyl experience (though RCA output allows external adapters)
Who Is the Fluance RT85 Turntable For?
The RT85 is tailor-made for vinyl lovers searching for:
- Serious audio fidelity without the excessive price tag of ultra-high-end turntables
- Collectors and newcomers who want a durable, aesthetically pleasing setup that sounds amazing right away
- Users with existing audio systems (phono input on receiver or separate preamp)
- Those who value craftsmanship and appreciate the look that complements their living space
- Listeners eager to experience their records with warmth and detail reminiscent of a live performance
If you crave wireless connectivity or all-in-one features, other models might fit better. But if analog purity and soundstage depth are what you pursue, the RT85 is an excellent pick.
Final Thoughts: Is the Fluance RT85 Worth Spinning?
Putting it simply: the Fluance RT85 Turntable is a sleek, expertly engineered powerhouse that brings out the best in your vinyl collection. Its blend of high-end components—most notably the acrylic platter and Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge—offers a leap in sonic quality over entry-level models at a surprisingly accessible level.
While the slightly inconsistent auto-stop feature and the absence of a built-in phono preamp might require minor workarounds or extra gear, these are small prices to pay for the immersive analog experience the RT85 delivers. Encased in a beautiful veneer with rock-solid build quality, it looks as good as it sounds.
For audiophiles and vinyl enthusiasts ready to elevate their listening ritual, the RT85 is more than just a turntable—it’s an invitation to rediscover your music in thrilling, warm detail. So, if you’re ready to experience pure analog sound coupled with timeless design, the Fluance RT85 is well worth a spin.
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