Fluance RT85 Reference High Fidelity Vinyl Turntable Record Player with Ortofon 2M Blue Cartridge, Acrylic Platter, Speed Control Motor, High Mass MDF Wood Plinth, Vibration Isolation Feet - Walnut

Its a fine turntable. A 4-star experience in overall. Static noise is still present in full silence before playing a record. Connected properly including the ground wire. Some people complained the Fluance suitable preamp is not of fine quality. Installed much better praised Nobsound T3 MM Phono Preamp. Same thing, expect to experience notable static noise in full silence before playing a record. That would be the first thing to improve on this tunable. In fact, a number of the class comparable European turntable systems manufactured 40-50 years ago with the embedded preamp and amplifier had fine less of the static noise turned on in full silence before playing any record. The comparable class Japanese turntables of the same era connected to outer preamp and amplifiers were a way better in static noise presence(no such noise almost). So, looks like were still dealing here with the Chinese quality control even those this one Made in Taiwan, which is normally of a better quality production by default comparing to the mainland production. Dont think you should pay thousands of the United States dollars to get these most basic features like static noise reduction. It should be present by default on any middle class turntables or systems. It may have not been a default for the turntable systems 50-70 years ago in the immediate post-WWII era... Also, I mentioned there is no Auto-return feature on this one. My bad. Its not by default. But, there is a switch on the back allowing the Auto-Stop. Its not the full Auto-Return function as was normal on a middle class turntables systems with embedded preamp and amp 40-50 years ago, but the Auto-Stop still does the job. The main point, once the record is ended it must stop so the stylus doesnt scratch the record getting damaged itself after a while. So, at least, the Auto-Stop is presented. The bug in the design here is that the Auto-Stop should be ON by default. And, there should be an option to switch it OFF. Otherwise, they could switch it ON at the factory itself before packing. It may take time before user finds the Auto-Stop is still present but is turned OFF by default. A solid 4 star experience with that feeling that somehow a few drops of bs were added to a fine well made stew otherwise... Still much to appreciate yet the problem with the smell, which is the sine static noise in full silence with the system turned ON before starting to play a record.

I think this is the perfect turntable if you are new or looking to get back into vinyl, as long as you know you are going to stick with this hobby. It’s a lot for my first real turntable but after trying out a suitcase record player (absolute trash and ruins your records over time) I knew that the upfront cost would get me something I could truly love and enjoy. This turn table as been all that and more! I listen to it for hours every day. I installed an LED strip under the back to light up the platter.

I love the sound produced by this turntable. I upgraded to the Blue Ortofon 2M cartridge. I am using it with the Fosi Audio Box X4 Phono Preamp. My set up includes a Denon receiver and passive speakers. I am amazed by the warmth and beauty of the sound. I listen to all styles of music, but it is especially beautiful for classical and jazz. I am still in the break in period so I am looking forward to how it will sound in the near future. Turntable assembly was simple, but I did have to attempt the tonearm leveling several times until I got it right. For some reason, I had trouble following the instructions even though, in retrospect, they were very clear. Once I did, the sound was amazing. I followed the instructions which said to position the speakers away from the turntable and NOT on the same surface as the turntable. I cant emphasize enough how much difference this made. I am extremely satisfied with my purchase.

If you’re in the fence, get it. Huge upgrade. You get what you pay for, and in this case you get more than what you pay for! Looks and sounds great. Half the price of the turntable is the BLUE. Great quality!

My last turntable was a Rega P3, I spent around 1200.00 that included the Ortofon Blue. This is like less than half and sounds just as good. One of the biggest selling points was the bayonet style cartridge. My Rega didnt have that and that was the problem the wires got messed up. Again sound is great, quality is good. I purchased another Belt just in case for 20 bucks and got a weight stabilizer.

Being 65 years of age and growing up with records, I collected over 3,500 albums. I sold many of them during the late 80s when I mostly purchased and played CDs. Ive owned Thorens, Linn Sondek, Ariston, Music Hall, Rotel turntables and others during those years. I still have over 1800 albums in my collection. I read great reviews on the Fluance RT-85 and decided to try it. Simply put, you could not find a better turntable at anywhere near the 499.00 price point. It is exceptional for the money. While other much higher priced tables are equipped with a lower grade cartridge the RT-85 is shipped with the Ortofon 2M Blue cart. That is a 236.00 dollar cart that is included. It is a very good cartridge. I will be upgrading to the Bronze. The RT-85 is a well built and beautiful looking turntable. The price vs performance is off the charts in value. I can not recommend the Fluance RT-85 high enough. If one is on the fence about buying one, dont be. Buy it. Kudos to you Fluance !!

Suena espectacular

A friends father passed and gave her his record collection and she didnt want them and gave them to me. I wanted a decent turntable to go with my Marantz 6014 receiver with definitive technology front, center, surround and back speakers. I also purchased the Fluance phono amp. I now laugh at the word decent, this thing is amazing. It looks great, I have had it for three days and love it. As a newbie to vinyl, I had a little trouble setting it up, but finally figured it out with the help of Youtube. I am blown away by the clarity and depth of the music. Instruments are crystal clear, I hear instruments I didnt even know were in certain songs. The biggest thing I notice is the crispness of the cymbal crashes. I feel like I am listening to the music in surround sound, when it is in just stereo. I cannot recommend this highly enough. For the newbies, dont use a phono amp and then plug it into the phono jack on the back of your receiver. Took me a day to figure that out, it causes a horrible hum.

Of a higher order..

Nice looking turntable works fine. first turntable was DOA I returned it and reordered second one was good. I wished it have a few more features but its over all good buy.