However, in practical terms it is not problem). The static balanced “S”-shaped approximately 8” arm terminated with an H-4 Bayonet mount head shell has an effective length of 224mm, an overhang of 19.2mm and a relatively high effective mass of 28.2grams by my calculations, the arm is slightly too heavy for the cartridge’s relatively high compliance, putting the system’s resonant frequency at around 7Hz or one Hz below the ideal 8-12Hz range. The plinth sits one three height-adjustable elastomer feet.Īs you can see in the photos, the combination of a tapered spindle base that appears to be of brass and a brass bush within the platter hole add both precision and stability to the platter/bearing interface-a nice enhancement considering the ‘table’s price point not to mention the $236 cartridge! The plinth itself, available in either gloss wood or gloss black finish, though of relatively high mass MDF (compared to wood) can’t alone account for most of that weight even considering the platter and motor weight.

The spindle bearing protrudes from a plinth opening hiding from view the bearing’s support structure, which must be relatively high mass given the ‘table’s almost 17 pound total weight. motor isolated via a six-point rubber decoupling ring and powered by an outboard “wall-wart” type power supply drives the 12”, 3 pound acrylic platter at either 33 1/3 or 45rpm, via a flat belt placed around its periphery. The Fluance RT85’s plinth-mounted servo-controlled D.C. This is a vinyl-centric website not a business site so back to business! Of course, that’s not it but no doubt Fluance has chosen a relatively low margin business model that gives consumers high value. How can Fluance manage a $236 cartridge in a $500 turntable? Perhaps as the old joke goes, they lose money on each one sold, but make it up with volume. The $499.99 Fluance RT85 comes with a $236 Ortofon 2M Blue. That $1100 turntable included a $50 ATVM95E cartridge. That explains at least the loose tone arm bearings that contributed to pretty miserable sound. It turns out, so the company claims, that the review sample was meant only as a photography sample and should not have been sent for review. It doesn’t take a turntable forensic genius to note that the RT81 is manufactured at the same Taiwanese factory that produced the $1099.99 Thorens TD 402 Direct Drive Semi-Automatic turntable that back in November took a review beating here.

Fluance’s new RT85 Reference turntable doubles the cost to $499.95. It offered reasonably good mechanical and sonic performance as well as useful convenience features and attractive looks. Canada-based Fluance’s $250 RT81 reviewed here a little over three years ago was a pleasant surprise.

Fluance turntable