Review Details
RT85 Reference High Fidelity Vinyl Turntable
Product Rating:
| Overall Performance |
Product Review (submitted on September 7, 2020):
Recently, after upgrading my system, I got the itch to listen to my extensive collection of LPs, covering almost 50 years. It was well past time to replace my long-stored '70s vintage Technics direct-drive turntable and Stanton 681EEE cartridge. Pretty good for the era, but alas, the cueing lever had lost its magic and the stylus was well worn.
After much research, the Fluance range bubbled up to the top of my $500 budget. The RT85 is a compelling value, especially with its acrylic platter and pre-installed Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge. Those would be pricey upgrades if done after the fact. I think the hardest part is choosing the plinth. I first veered to walnut, then returned to basic black. Little did I know that Fluance was soon to introduce bamboo! (Too late for me.)
The RT85T looks classy and sounds truly magnificent through a Cambridge Audio system with direct analog signal path. The soundstage is right there. Symphonic pieces resonate in all their glory, while rock punches through with a solid, well-balanced tone. As a bass player, I love hearing the tight bass response of the Ortofon Blue. Yet the midrange and the high frequencies are also reproduced perfectly. Incredible presence and dynamic range that only vinyl can deliver. No inner-groove distortion and I'm sure it will sound even better after break-in. The auto stop is a great feature in a busy house. Very happy with this purchase.
A couple of setup tips: Be sure the trim piece that sits over the motor spindle is fully seated, otherwise you will get a rapid ticking sound. When balancing the tonearm, do the rough adjustment with the tip protector over the stylus, then carefully remove it and fine tune. (It takes a lot of turns to get the counterweight where it needs to be, which is closer to the fulcrum.) Then zero the calibration index and turn *the whole thing* to read 1.8 grams. Treat the stylus with extreme care, as it is infinitely more delicate than a Stanton or Shure (don't ask me how I know). :/
Enjoy!