After a long hiatus from the hobby, I decided to start collecting vinyl again. I used to have a big collection of vinyl but sold it all to help pay for my late wife's cancer treatments. Since then, I have been listening to streamed music. After discovering a treasure trove of vinyl at a local yard sale, and buying them all, I ordered a retrolife turntable here on amazon. It was pretty and had good sound, but there were a couple features on it I did not like. So I returned it and ordered this one. I feel like I made the right choice.
The Fluance RT81 is a great budget priced turntable. The sound is nice and bassy, and the system is elegantly designed, solid and perfect in its simplicity. There is no bluetooth, which is fine with me. I don't see the point of listening to vinyl on bluetooth speakers. Bluetooth does not have the bandwidth to transmit lossless high fidelity audio. You might as well listen to streaming mp3's if you're going to use bluetooth. But this unit does come with gold rca wires to hook the system up to your speakers. It has one single button to turn on the system and select your speed, and the turntable starts spinning as soon as you move the tonearm into position. What else do you need? Sometimes the simpler something is the better. I love it when a product just does what it's supposed to do, without a bunch of hassle and annoyance.
I'm not knowledgeable enough to review the sound quality, but if you want to know my layman's opinion here it is. I think it sounds good. I think it is a little too bassy, and the separation could be a little better, and the pops when the needle hits a speck of dust is a little loud, but it is good enough for me for the moment. I may upgrade to a better needle at some point in the future, but it is good. I just turned the bass down a little on my speakers and make sure my discs are as dust-free as possible before playing an album. Strangely, the much cheaper retrolife turntable sounded better to me, but for build quality and simplicity I would still pick the Fluance.
I am happy with my purchase, and I think that says it all. This is a beautiful, beautiful turntable, with a smoky gray lid and artful design and simplicity. Just turn the bass down a little and make sure your records are clean!
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This item: Fluance RT81 Elite High Fidelity Vinyl Turntable Record Player with Audio Technica AT95E Cartridge, Belt Drive, Built-in Preamp, Adjustable Counterweight, High Mass MDF Wood Plinth - Walnut
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From the brand
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Fluance is a Canadian-based audio brand that produces high-end HiFi Turntables, Powered Speakers and Home Theater Speakers. Our entire team is dedicated to producing products that deliver exceptional audio performance while offering an extraordinary customer experience. We believe everyone should experience audio in its truest form.
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HiFi Turntables
Our Turntables play traditional LP and EP vinyl records with stunning sound quality that achieves the purest analog sound reproduction.
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Powered Speakers
Our Powered Speakers provide room-filling sound in any home audio setup, from turntables to TVs to Bluetooth music streaming.
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Home Theater Speakers
Complete your cinema experience with our Surround Sound Speaker Systems.
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This Item  Fluance RT81 Elite High Fidelity Vinyl Turntable Record Player with Audio Technica AT95E Cartridge, Belt Drive, Built-in Preamp, Adjustable Counterweight, High Mass MDF Wood Plinth - Walnut | Recommendations  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | $249.99 | $489.99 | $499.99 | $349.99 | $299.99 | $662.99 |
| Delivery | Get it Mar 19 - 20 | Get it Mar 19 - 20 | Get it Mar 19 - 21 | Get it Mar 19 - 20 | Get it Mar 19 - 20 | Get it Mar 19 - 21 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Sold By | Fluance Audio | Fluance Audio | Fluance Audio | Fluance Audio | Fluance Audio | Fluance Audio |
| power source | Corded Electric | Corded Electric | Corded Electric | Corded Electric | Corded Electric | Corded Electric |
| connectivity tech | Wired | Wireless, Wired | Wired | Wired | RCA | Wireless, Wired |
| signal format | Analog | Analog | Analog | Analog | Analog | Analog |
| voltage | 230 volts of alternating current | 120 volts of alternating current | 240 volts of alternating current | — | 240 volts of alternating current | 240 volts |
| signal-to-noise ratio | — | 60 decibels | 60 decibels | — | — | 60 decibels |
| model name | Elite | RT81 | Fluance Reference High Fidelity Turntable | RT83 | RT81 | Reference |
| material | MDF Wood | Aluminum, Engineered Wood | Acrylic, MDF Wood, Aluminum | MDF Wood | MDF Wood | MDF Wood |
| weight | 14.1 pounds | 30.06 pounds | 16.76 pounds | 14.99 pounds | 14.1 pounds | 31.67 pounds |
| motor type | AC Motor | AC Motor | DC Motor | AC Motor | DC Motor | AC Motor |
Product Description
The RT81 plays traditional LP and EP vinyl records with stunning quality that achieves the purest sound reproduction. When you want the absolute best in music performance, pull out your favorite 33 1/3 or 45 RPM records, hook up your sound system, drop the needle, and immerse yourself in the RT81.
Pure Analog Listening Experience
Your soul will be captivated by the crisp, distinguishing characteristics of the music you love. Premium components allow this belt driven turntable to produce a pure uncompressed listening experience that recreates the performance the way the artist intended.
High Performance Cartridge for Warmer Sound
Your music will sound richer when the Audio Technica AT95E moving magnet stylus rests in the grooves of your favorite vinyl record at a mere 2.0 grams of tracking force. The upgraded elliptical stylus is renowned for its freedom from noise and distortion, clarity on musical peaks, and channel balance.
Complete Clarity Without Compromising Your Collection
You'll savor every note thanks to the balanced and adjustable counterweight of the S-Type tonearm. The fluid movement of the bearings within the tonearm coupled with the advanced anti-skating system practically caresses your record, preventing scratching and ensuring the stylus is perfectly rested deep in your record's groove for perfect playback every time.
Solid Wood Plinth for Resistance to Vibrations
The cabinet is crafted from solid engineered (MDF) wood in High Gloss Piano Black which reduces vibrations to ensure the stylus provides the best possible sound. Sound isolation feet, an aluminum platter and a Rubber Platter Mat significantly reduce reverberation, leaving you with pure stereophonic sound.
Premium Components for Captivating Sound Clarity
The built-in-high-quality Texas Instruments preamp, ground terminal and gold plated RCA line outputs ensures high fidelity sound in its truest form.
A Passion for Great Audio
Fluance has successfully revolutionized home audio. Utilizing only superior components and expert audio engineering, the Fluance Record Players are a testament to the performance that can be achieved when a passion for music takes center stage. The perfect complement to any audiophile's lifestyle, you'll be enjoying live performances in your home for years to come.
RT81 SPECIFICATIONS
Cabinet
Material: MDF
Finish: High Gloss Walnut Real Wood Veneer/ Piano Black/ Piano White
Dust Cover: Yes - Tinted
Turntable
Drive System: Belt Drive
Motor: DC Motor
Motor Isolation: Three Point Rubber Isolation
Speed: 33 1/3 RPM, 45 RPM (78 RPM – No)
Speed Variation: +/-1.00%
Wow and Flutter: 0.2%
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (Weighted): 67dB or higher (A-weighted, 20kHz LPF)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (Unweighted): 60dB or higher (unweighted, 20kHz LPF)
Platter: Aluminum
Diameter of Platter: 12", 30 cm
Auto-Stop: Yes
Turntable Mat: Rubber
Tonearm
Type: Static Balanced, S-Type
Supported Cartridge Weight: 0.12 to 0.23 oz (3.5 to 6.5 g)
Counterweight: Yes – 3.53 oz (100 g) - Adjustable
Anti-skating Adjustment: Yes
Pivot Bearing: Yes
Cueing Lever: Yes
Tonearm Material: Aluminum
Tonearm Wire: 36 AWG Litz Cable / 7 Strand
Effective Tonearm Mass: 0.99 oz (28.2 g)
Overhang: 0.76 inches (19.2 mm)
Effective Tonearm Length: 8.82 inches (224 mm)
Headshell Mount: H-4 Bayonet Mount
Tonearm Height: 0.67 inches (17 mm)
Cartridge
Type: Dual Moving Magnet (MM)
Cartridge Model: Audio Technica: AT95E
Replacement Stylus: ATN95E
Stylus: 0.4 × 0.7mil Bonded Elliptical (Diamond)
Cantilever: Aluminum
Mount: Half inch
Frequency Response: 20 - 20,000 Hz
Channel Separation: 20 dB at 1 kHz
Channel Balance: 2.0 dB or less at 1 kHz
Load Impedance/Capacitance: 47k Ohms/100 pF
Output Voltage: 3.5 mV (+/–3 dB)
Cartridge Weight: 5.7 g (+/- 0.5 g)
Headshell Weight: 0.38 oz (10.7 g)
Cartridge Height: 0.67 inches (17 mm)
Recommended Tracking Force: 2.0 g (+/–0.5 g)
Vertical Tracking Angle: 20 degrees (Non-Adjustable)
Rubber Belt
Width: 0.17 inches (4.5 mm)
Length: 21.03 inches (534.07 mm)
Thickness: 0.02 inches (0.6 mm)
Output
Connector: RCA (Gold-plated)
Phono Preamp: Yes, PHONO/LINE Switchable
Phono Output: 3.5 mV (+/–3 dB)
Line Output: 140 mV (–17 dBV)
Ground Terminal: Yes
Phono Bypass: Yes, all electronics bypassed when using external preamp
Power
Input: 100 - 240V AC (50/60Hz)
Output: 12 V / 500 mA
Consumption: 1.5 W
General
Dimensions: 5.75 x 16.5 x 14.25 inches / 14.6 x 41.9 x 36.2 cm (HxWxD)
Unit Weight: 14.1 lb (6.4 kg)
Operating Temperature: 20° C
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| Customer Reviews |
1,041
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3,365
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1,289
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439
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186
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1,908
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| Price | $199.99 | $249.99 | $299.99 | $349.99 | $449.99 | $499.99 |
| Finish | Piano Black | Piano Black or Walnut | Piano Black or Walnut or Bamboo | Piano Black or Walnut or Bamboo | Piano Black or Walnut or Bamboo | Piano Black or Walnut or Bamboo |
| Cartridge | ATN91 | ATN95E | OM10 | 2MRED | 2MBLUE | 2MBLUE |
| Platter Type | Aluminum Felt Mat | Aluminum Rubber Mat | Aluminum Rubber Mat | Aluminum Rubber Mat | Aluminum Rubber Mat | Acrylic |
| Built-In Preamp | ✓ | ✓ | no data | no data | no data | no data |
For Those Ready to Take the Plunge
The Fluance RT81 is a solid piece of equipment.I started collecting vinyl in 2020 during the pandemic with the help of the Audio Technica LP60. Now, the great thing about that system was being an automatic player in a vast number of ways.A built in pre-amp, auto start and stop?? Along with easy maintenance for the needle.Beyond that? It had it’s issues. Cleaning records were a chore because you could only clean them while you listened to them, being an auto start player.The sound quality of the needle was great, but no way to adjust it. You’re stuck with the one position.It ended up scratching a few of my records and so, I finally took the plunge…I got a “higher” end vinyl LP record playerSo, now the real review. This machine is great for those hobbyists and audiophiles like myself, looking to step up their game and really hone in their sound.The player comes unassembled and so you must hook the turning belt, align the needle (with the correct track force) and anti-skip.If you are a beginner and have no idea what I’m talking about, have no fear. There are helpful tips in the manual, along with lots of reviews on YouTube to help set you up. All in all, took me about 20 minutes to get it all setup. It being my first time aligning a needle, getting the balance and track force right too. It can be a little nerve racking but I promise you, it’s worth the payoff.The sound quality you get from the AT95E cartridge is very warm. A little high in some records, bass is a little understated but with some minor adjustments, it still packs a punch for the price point.The Fluance RT81 also includes a pre-amp, so you can just use some powered speakers (ones with a knob somewhere on one of the speakers to control the volume) and you’re off to the races. You can also use a receiver and passive speakers (ones that se 16 gauge wiring) if you want to hook up more than just your record player. Like what it pictured in my photos (Yamaha R-S202).If you are looking for a stellar player for budget of 500 for speakers and a player? This is a great end all player. It can do everything you need and then some, plus save you a few dollars. You might need to replace the belt every few years or so from wear and tear, but that’s my only negative about this player.If you’re a beginner or intermediate vinyl head, disc jockey or audiophile, this is the player for you.There is also an auto-stop function. It will stop the records after about 10-18 rotations on the plate.If you do have auto-spin on, you must raise the tone arm for the plate to spin, otherwise it will sit in place. Happened to me, thought I broke it haha.Also, if you have your switch set to pre-amp or line, and the music seems a bit…quiet, switch it to the other signal, line or pre-amp. You’ll get better sound out of it.Equipment in photo:Fluance RT81 playerYamaha R-S202 receiverKlipsch RP-150M Bookshelf speakersAudio Technica ATH-M50X headphonesGreenlit Acrylic Turntable Mat, 12”Novogratz Regal Turntable End Table, Olive Green
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2023Color: Piano WhiteVerified Purchase
The Fluance RT81 is a solid piece of equipment.
I started collecting vinyl in 2020 during the pandemic with the help of the Audio Technica LP60. Now, the great thing about that system was being an automatic player in a vast number of ways.
A built in pre-amp, auto start and stop?? Along with easy maintenance for the needle.
Beyond that? It had it’s issues. Cleaning records were a chore because you could only clean them while you listened to them, being an auto start player.
The sound quality of the needle was great, but no way to adjust it. You’re stuck with the one position.
It ended up scratching a few of my records and so, I finally took the plunge…I got a “higher” end vinyl LP record player
So, now the real review. This machine is great for those hobbyists and audiophiles like myself, looking to step up their game and really hone in their sound.
The player comes unassembled and so you must hook the turning belt, align the needle (with the correct track force) and anti-skip.
If you are a beginner and have no idea what I’m talking about, have no fear. There are helpful tips in the manual, along with lots of reviews on YouTube to help set you up. All in all, took me about 20 minutes to get it all setup. It being my first time aligning a needle, getting the balance and track force right too. It can be a little nerve racking but I promise you, it’s worth the payoff.
The sound quality you get from the AT95E cartridge is very warm. A little high in some records, bass is a little understated but with some minor adjustments, it still packs a punch for the price point.
The Fluance RT81 also includes a pre-amp, so you can just use some powered speakers (ones with a knob somewhere on one of the speakers to control the volume) and you’re off to the races. You can also use a receiver and passive speakers (ones that se 16 gauge wiring) if you want to hook up more than just your record player. Like what it pictured in my photos (Yamaha R-S202).
If you are looking for a stellar player for budget of 500 for speakers and a player? This is a great end all player. It can do everything you need and then some, plus save you a few dollars. You might need to replace the belt every few years or so from wear and tear, but that’s my only negative about this player.
If you’re a beginner or intermediate vinyl head, disc jockey or audiophile, this is the player for you.
There is also an auto-stop function. It will stop the records after about 10-18 rotations on the plate.
If you do have auto-spin on, you must raise the tone arm for the plate to spin, otherwise it will sit in place. Happened to me, thought I broke it haha.
Also, if you have your switch set to pre-amp or line, and the music seems a bit…quiet, switch it to the other signal, line or pre-amp. You’ll get better sound out of it.
Equipment in photo:
Fluance RT81 player
Yamaha R-S202 receiver
Klipsch RP-150M Bookshelf speakers
Audio Technica ATH-M50X headphones
Greenlit Acrylic Turntable Mat, 12”
Novogratz Regal Turntable End Table, Olive Green
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
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Gaspar Humberto Pacheco CetinaReviewed in Mexico on March 5, 2024
Excelente tornamesa
Color: WalnutVerified Purchase - Mr. S. A. H. DoneReviewed in the United Kingdom on January 17, 2025
A thing of beauty
Color: Piano WhiteVerified Purchase - C. JohnsonReviewed in the United Kingdom on August 6, 2023
A joy to set up, use and a thing of beauty.
Color: Piano BlackVerified Purchase - SteveReviewed in Canada on January 20, 2018
Beautiful-looking, and beautiful-sounding
Color: WalnutVerified Purchase
This is my first record turntable since my family owned one when I was a kid. I'm quite impressed so far, the audio quality I'm getting out of my Edifier R1280T speakers is excellent from this turntable. Setup was easy, even for someone with no experience. There is step-by-step instructions included on how to set the tracking force and anti-skating. The stylus and cartridge come pre-assembled so you just need to pop it on the end of the tone arm. Every little aspect of the design seems well thought-out and functional. The cue-lever works nicely and gently lowers and raises the needle from the record. The hinges on the dust cover have just the right tension and detents so it's easy to swing upward and trust that the hinges will catch it and prevent it from falling back down. This may seem like a dumb detail, but I've seen plenty of lids and covers that fail because of poorly designed hinges.SteveBeautiful-looking, and beautiful-sounding
Reviewed in Canada on January 20, 2018
I'm not a turntable expert, nor a hardcore audiophile, but I'm quite impressed with the audio quality coming from this turntable using the built-in preamp and a pair of reasonably priced, powered speakers. I am someone who, if the audio quality isn't good, I don't even want to listen to it. If you have a more finely-tuned ear for this sort of thing, I suspect you'd be satisfied with this turntable, but there is still the option to upgrade the cartridge/stylus in the future, as well as use an external preamp if you choose.
Additionally, it's a gorgeous device, with its high gloss walnut exterior, matte black components, and tinted dust cover.
Overall I'd say it's a very easy to use, but high quality turntable. I don't have any complaints really, it's just a sweet machine.
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EDIT May 2022: Still really enjoying this record player. I later went and bought a relatively inexpensive preamp (DJ Art Pre II) and did notice an improvement in audio quality even on my modest little speakers. It widened the overall sound and gave clearer bass than the built-in preamp. So If you want to squeeze more out of this turntable that would be an easy place to start. Also ensure you have moderately thick, shielded cables running between components or you may pick up some hum. (I went with Amazon Basics RCA cables)
I will agree with another reviewer about the dust cover being very easy to scratch. Doesn't bother me a huge deal, but it's worth noting. Simply laying or sliding a record sleeve on top of it could scuff it up a bit.
I don't foresee replacing this turntable unless it utterly breaks down which I think is unlikely given its mechanical simplicity and good construction.
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Images in this review
