Fluance
Fluance RT85 Reference Turntable Review
A strong performer at its tier, especially valued for the Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge included at this price point.
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Quick Specs
Hover over ⓘ to learn what each means
- Drive Type ⓘ Belt drive = quieter listening, great for home use. Direct drive = instant start/stop, good if you want to DJ or scratch records.
- belt
- Speeds ⓘ This tells you which records you can play. 33 RPM plays full albums, 45 RPM plays singles. If it includes 78, you can also play old vintage records from your grandparents' collection.
- 33, 45 RPM
- Built-in Preamp ⓘ Yes = plug directly into any speakers and you're ready to go. No = you'll need to buy a separate phono preamp or use a receiver with a 'phono' input.
- No
- USB Output ⓘ Yes = you can plug into your computer and save your vinyl as digital files to listen on your phone. No = vinyl only, no digital copies.
- No
- Cartridge ⓘ This is the part that actually touches your records. A good cartridge means better sound quality. You can always upgrade this later without buying a new turntable.
- Ortofon 2M Blue
Our Take
The RT85 ships with the Ortofon 2M Blue — a cartridge that typically costs a significant sum on its own. That inclusion changes the value proposition considerably. Most turntables at this price point ship with a competent entry-level cart and expect you to upgrade later. The RT85 ships ready to perform.
The deck itself is solidly built: heavy plinth, acrylic platter, and a tonearm that handles the 2M Blue without complaint. It's not as refined as a Rega Planar 3 or a Pro-Ject X1 B at higher price points, but within its tier it delivers genuine audiophile-level performance that doesn't require further investment to enjoy.
The main limitation is manual speed change — switching from 33 to 45 RPM requires manually moving the belt, which takes about 20 seconds. It's a minor inconvenience, but worth knowing. Requires an external phono stage, which adds to the system cost. Skip it if you need simplicity; choose it if you want serious sound at this price.
Sound Quality
With the 2M Blue installed, the RT85 sounds genuinely impressive. Detail retrieval is strong — the cartridge resolves things that budget decks simply don't surface. Imaging is wide and stable; bass is tighter than mid-range decks; highs are extended and clear without harshness. It's the kind of sound that makes familiar records reveal new details. Compared to the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO, it's a close contest — the EVO has a slightly more neutral tonearm, but the RT85 wins on cartridge quality out of the box. Best genre fit: anything where detail and imaging matter.
Setup and Ease of Use
No built-in preamp — a phono stage is required. Tonearm balancing and tracking force setting take about 10 minutes initially; Fluance's instructions are clear. The acrylic platter needs to be seated correctly before play. Speed change involves lifting the belt between two pulley positions — simple once you know the routine. The main investment beyond the deck itself: a phono preamp. A decent entry-level phono stage will let you hear what this deck can do.
What We Like
- ✓ Excellent cartridge included for the price
- ✓ Strong audiophile-leaning sound
- ✓ Great build for sub-$600
What Could Be Better
- ✗ No built-in preamp
- ✗ Manual speed change
Best For
Listeners who want high-fidelity sound and don't mind an external preamp
Sold Out on Amazon?
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Ready to Buy?
Get the Fluance RT85 Reference Turntable and start enjoying vinyl today.
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