
RT85 Reference High Fidelity Vinyl Turntable


PURE ANALOG PERFORMANCE
The definitive vinyl record listening experience for beautifully warm and natural music, transporting you into the center of the performance

EXCEPTIONAL MUSICAL ACCURACY
Immerse yourself in the detailed high resolution sound of the Ortofon 2M Blue elliptical cartridge delivering improved linearity, higher channel separation and reduced distortion

HIGH DENSITY ACRYLIC PLATTER
The greater mass of the acrylic platter damps unwanted vibrations resulting in a more 3-dimentional sound with tighter bass, a fuller midrange, and overall improved clarity

SPEED CONTROL FOR PRECISION PLAYBACK
The isolated motor prevents unwanted vibrations and noise while the speed control mechanism ensures consistent platter velocity (0.07% Wow/Flutter)

HIGH MASS MDF WOOD PLINTH
Revel in the gorgeously crafted cabinet with real wood finish and a highly precise metal platter with adjustable resonance damping feet, ensuring superior isolation from unwanted micro-vibrations (Note: phono preamp not included)
Overview
UNPARALLELED VINYL MUSIC PLAYBACK
Specifications

Cabinet Specifications | ▼ |
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Cabinet Material | MDF |
Finish | High Gloss Piano Black |
Dust Cover | Yes - Tinted |
Turntable Specifications | ▼ |
Drive System | Belt Drive |
Motor | DC Motor with Servo Controller Analyzes motor speed 500 times/sec |
Motor Isolation | Under-mounted 7-point silicone isolation with decoupling isolation ring |
Speed | 33 1/3 RPM, 45 RPM (78 RPM - No) |
Speed Variation | 0.10% |
Wow and Flutter | 0.07% |
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (Weighted) | 76 dB |
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (Unweighted) | 65 dB |
Platter | Acrylic |
Diameter of Platter | 12 inches (30 cm) |
Weight of Platter | 3 lbs (1.5 kg) |
Height of Platter | 0.62 inches (16 mm) |
Auto-Stop | Yes |
Turntable Mat | Not Required |
Tonearm Specifications | ▼ |
Tonearm Type | Static Balanced, S-Type |
Supported Cartridge Weight | 0.18 – 0.25 oz (5.0 – 7.5 g) |
Counterweight | Yes – 3.60 oz (102 g) - Adjustable |
Anti-skating Adjustment | Yes – Adjustable |
Pivot Bearing | Yes |
Cueing Lever | Yes |
Tonearm Material | Aluminum |
Tonearm Wire | 36 AWG Litz Cable / 7 Strand |
Effective Tonearm Mass | 0.97 oz (27.5 g) |
Overhang | 0.76 inches (19.2 mm) |
Effective Tonearm Length | 8.82 inches (224 mm) |
Headshell Mount | H-4 Bayonet Mount |
Cartridge Specifications | ▼ |
Cartridge Type | Moving Magnet (MM) |
Cartridge Model | Ortofon: 2M Blue |
Replacement Stylus | 2M Blue |
Stylus | 0.3 x 0.7 mil |
Cantilever | Aluminum |
Mount | Half-inch |
Frequency Response | 20 - 20,000 Hz (+2/-1 dB) |
Frequency Range | 20 - 25,000 Hz (-3 dB) |
Channel Separation | 25 dB at 1 kHz |
Channel Balance | < 1.5 dB @ 1 kHz |
Load Impedance/Capacitance | 47k Ohms/150 - 300 pF |
Output Voltage | 5.5 mV |
Cartridge Weight | 0.25 oz (7.2g) |
Headshell Weight | 0.35 oz (9g) |
Cartridge Height | 0.71 inches (18 mm) |
Recommended Tracking Force | 0.06 - 0.07 oz (1.6 - 2.0 g) |
Vertical Tracking Angle | 20° (Non-Adjustable) |
Rubber Belt Specifications | ▼ |
Rubber Belt Design | Continuous loop (joint-less) |
Width | 0.17 inches (4.5 mm) |
Length | 36.02 inches (915 mm) |
Thickness | 0.02 inches (0.6 mm) |
Output Specifications | ▼ |
Connector | RCA (Gold-plated) |
Preamp | No - Separate Phono Preamp Required |
Phono Output | 5.5 mV |
Ground Terminal | Yes |
Power Specification | ▼ |
Input | 100 – 240 V AC (50/60 Hz) |
Output | 12 V / 500 mA |
Consumption | 1.5 W |
General Specifications | ▼ |
Dimensions | 5.5 x 16.5 x 13.75 inches / 14.0 x 41.9 x 34.9 cm (HxWxD) |
Unit Weight | 16.76 lb (7.6 kg) |
Operating Temperature | 41°F to 95°F (5°C to 35°C) |
Wireless Playback | No (Requires Bluetooth or WiFi transmitter connected via RCA connection to transmit audio wirelessly) |
Fluance Speaker Size Comparison Chart | |
UPC | 061783268414 |
What's Included | RT85 Reference Turntable Line OutClick to Expand |
Press

"A new AFFORDABLE Record Player to BEAT”
I feel like every time I listen I pick up some new details I didn’t know were there last time.

Vinyl Rewind Reviews the RT85
"I give this my highest rating of 5 pompadours out of 5."

Jarrett New from Vinyl Eyezz Reviews the RT85
"For the price, this is the best sounding turntable that I've come across."

Brad Moon of Forbes Reviews the RT85
"It didn’t matter the genre... it all just plain sounds noticeably better on this turntable."
Read the Full Review

Theo from TechHive Reviews the RT85
"By any measure, the RT85 is an overachiever. From its acrylic platter, Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge, and included accessories, to its genuinely solid performance, the RT85 will have you enjoying high-end sound at a fraction of the price of the competition."
Read the Full Review

Part-Time Audiophile Reviews the RT85
Deep dive with Marc Phillips in a detailed review of the RT85 turntable.
Read the Full Review
Customer Reviews
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Happily playing many oldies on our Fluance 85RT! Reawaking to vinyl! Thanks to Julie for her valuable assistance!
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It's here! My first new piece of stereo equipment in 40 years.
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You've found it. The RT85 is the one. Why are you reading some random guy's review? Buy yours already!
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Love it! Easy setup and sounds fantastic. So glad I went with the rt85. Also thank you Anton for all your patience with my crazy questions.
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Amazing turntable, speakers, stands.
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Best "bang-for-your-buck" turntable, hands down!
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After almost 30 years of digital audio, I decided to come back to my “first love”, vinyl. I am an audiophile and always had good hi-fi systems.
I knew what the quality turntables looked like in 1970’s, 1980’s and 1990’s but had no idea what they look like in 2020’s.
After extensive research, many reviews read and videos watched, I decided to buy Fluance RT85.
When I unpacked it and put my first vinyl since 1994, I was stunned. The quality of the sound coming from my loudspeakers was nothing I could compare with what I was listening to in almost 30 years. I am aware that Ortofon 2M Blue needs about 20h break-in period to show everything it has, but since the first moment the sound was full, warm and detailed. I started with my favorite album, The Dark Side of the Moon. I believed I knew every detail on this LP and, however, I discovered sounds that I have never heard before. I continued with some more of my favorite albums, and the experience was amazing.
As my amplifier has a PHONO input, I did not need to buy a preamplifier. The cables included in the box are high quality product. When I open my amplifier’s volume to more than a half (2x100 W output) on phono, no pickup on the record, no humming, buzzing or so can be hear. Just a silence. Perfect to enjoy the music.
RT85 construction is very solid and elegant. I bought one with a beautiful walnut finish and it shines in my living room. Set it to the level is very easy with its three isolation feet and the wood plinth has a mass that kills the vibration. However, because of the floor that moves quite a lot in my living room, I had to buy an isolation platform and my turntable is completely vibration free now.
RT85 is equipped with a fantastic acrylic platter that gives a good mass and stabilizes the speed which I measured and was highly accurate.
Fluance has also an amazing technical support. I had a minor annoyances with platter that could not prevent me from listening to the music, but was just strange. I contacted the Support Team, and they were very fast to respond and lead me through the debugging procedure. One of the best supports I have had in many years, equal to the quality of the product.
So, I rediscover vinyl and am rebuilding my LP collection with this fantastic turntable, RT85. It is worth every cent that I invested in it. And I know why it is considered as one of the best turntables in its category, praised by many reviewers.
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Just got it set up the only disappointment is the auto stop does not work. There is something about it not working on all LP. This was one of the reasons I got this turntable, my Audio Technica LP120X did not have this. I have only played one album so far I hope it works on let say 95% of the time. Otherwise it was an easy set up and the sound is great.
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Totally impresssed.I recommend going the extra couple hundred and get the rt85. Definitely can hear the difference.Making musical fun again
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Excellent build quality. Combination with ortofon 2m blue makes for great sound.
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The RT85, has exceeded my expectations, especially with the blue 2M Ortofon cartridge. It really opened up all my vinyl records, I can hear subtleties of the instruments that I never could hear before! I am so in love with this turntable, it’s the best I’ve ever had!
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The RT85 is a stellar turntable. I think that it is under-rated.
For the purchase price, it is OUTSTANDING. I bought mine in March, 2019, and I couldn't be happier. The fit & finish is pleasant, and the RT85 is virtually flawless in design. HOWEVER... the instructions for setting the anti-skate value weren't correct for me. Setting the anti-skate to the same value as the tracking force (which was stated in the manual) resulted in over-correction.
Ultimately, I used an audiophile-grade test record that had a blank side with no grooves. Only then was I able to set the anti-skate value properly.
To be fair, that was four years ago. But I tend to use "old-school" measures to configure my turntables, despite the instructions in manuals.
NOTE: Be mindful to replace the belts and the styli regularly, and remember to check the tracking force and anti-skate once in a while. -
I have been hanging on to 300-400 LP's for 20years without having a system to play them on any more. Decided to rejoin the 2 channel stereo club and purchased a receiver, speakers and the Fluance RT85. Now I'm happier than a pig in mud. Finally being able to listen to real sound has truly raised my quality of life. Kudos Fluance!!
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Great quality, sounds amazing
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After several months of searching and reading my decition to purchase this model RT85 and I am very satisfied, the only problem was to register the table no serial number could be found to list in the registration form. I am in the process to replace the existing stylus with the Quintet black to obtain maximum performance with several of my collection of London Decca 4 phase Sterio, I hope I made the right good choice.
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Resources
Guides
Video
Manual
FAQs
An amplifier is only needed if you’re connecting the turntable to passive speakers such as the Signature Series Bookshelf Surround Speakers.
If you’re looking for an option without a separate amplifier, the Ai40 Powered Bookshelf speakers fit the bill.
With the Ai40, all you need to do is connect the included RCA cables to your preamp, then to the speakers and you’re ready to listen to the music the way it was meant to be heard.
If you intend to use your Reference series turntable with powered bookshelf speakers such as our Ai40 model, a preamp will be required.
The preamp will boost the signal to line level (similar to a headphone jack) so you can play it on speakers with RCA or AUX inputs.
If you have a home theater or stereo receiver/amplifier, you will need a preamp if the amplifier does not have a PHONO input. If you have a PHONO input, you may have a preamp already built in. Be sure to refer to the manufacturer’s specifications or manual for confirmation!
This design choice was made with a number of factors in mind. The main reason was to separate electronics from the turntable’s signal path to maintain the purity of the analog signal. Many listeners also like to customize their listening experience and choose specific components such as preamps based on unique sonic qualities. Using separate components also allows for optimization of cartridge and phono stage compatibility. If you upgrade your cartridge in the future, you can pair with an optimal phono preamp to maximize performance and achieve the sound profile you desire. !
What's new! | What does it mean? |
The motor is located away from the platter | Allows the use of an acrylic platter, reduced rumble at the stylus. |
90pF RCA cables | Upgraded RCA cables with higher capacitance to protect and maintain the purest signal path. |
No internal preamp | Provides a clean signal, with no electronics in the path for increased audio quality. |
Spring loaded adjustable feet with built-in isolation | Allows the turntable to be leveled on any surface, bubble level included. Spike-shaped feet prevent outside vibrations from affecting audio quality. |
Servo controlled motor | Improves speed consistency and reduces wow and flutter by checking the speed up to 500 times per second! |
Ortofon Stylus | All Reference turntables are compatible with Ortofon OM10, Blue and Red Cartridges. |
102g Counterweight | Heavier counterweight to accommodate the Ortofon stylus. More diverse upgrade options. |
Compatible with an acrylic platter (included with RT85) | Heavier, denser material reduces resonance and improves speed consistency, not to mention great looks! |
Customizable | All Reference turntable components are compatible with each other giving you a clear upgrade path! |
These new turntables include a servo belt drive motor.
What does this mean for you?
This means that you have a sensor checking and adjusting the speed of the motor up to 500 times a second to make sure the speed of your turntable is consistent with no manual adjustments, bringing wow and flutter under 0.07%!
Reference turntables are compatible and shipped with moving magnet cartridges such as the Ortofon OM10, 2M Red and 2M Blue, giving you the ability to customize your system for top tier performance.
Cartridges must be between 3.5 to 7.5 grams to be balanced correctly.
Acrylic is an extremely stable and dense material. This greatly reduces resonance that can be picked up by the cartridge from the environment such as people walking by, large vehicles passing or other sounds that create a lot of vibration.
This also gives it considerably more weight compared to an aluminum platter of the same size. The extra weight of the platter during rotation helps the platter to spin flatter and at a more consistent speed, reducing wow & flutter.
There is no need to use a platter with the acrylic platter!
If a platter mat is used, it may interfere with the vertical tracking angle of the stylus.
Additionally, the resonance of acrylic is very close to vinyl so a mat is not needed.
As an added bonus, the acrylic looks fantastic!
All Fluance Reference turntables are sold with an Orotfon cartridge included.
We do know that our users love to customize their decks and there are many options out there, so we designed our Reference series to have extensive upgrade potential!.