I own 2 RT 81's along with Fluance's bookshelf and floor standing speakers and love everything about all their products. They sound great, they look great and are all responsibly priced. Just a great company with great looking and sounding audio equipment.
If you search here on youtube for a review of this turntable, theres a comparison between it and the lp120 showing the fluance wih very poor bass response. If you watch it and listen, is yours like that, too? Or is there something in that video that doesnt add up? That video is really the only reason i havent purchased this fluance yet.
I picked up the fluance record player about 9 months ago and I've been extremely satisfied with it. I've never had any issues with flutter or wow on it. With the combination of the ortofon red cartridge and a Cambridge audio pre amp, it's been fantastic. Glad to see that your review agreed with my thoughts on it.
Skywalker. Nope, no problems with alignment or tone arm, I invested in a plastic alignment guide and a 5g stylus scale. I went back and double and sometimes triple checked that everything was square, and according to my tools it is. It was the first thing I did when I got it was to put the ortofon cartridge on there.
Awesome. That was the first thing I wanted to do with it: putting that Ortofon 2M red, but I was afraid of that... Anyways, now I will try it on. Thx a lot!
Generally when a piece of electronic equipment uses cheap plastic parts it doesn't weigh much. So generally the lighter something is the worse. My technics turntable weights 24lbs.
It's not extremely light. It's definitely heavy enough to not have to worry about sympathetic reverberation or whatever, but it's light enough to not be a complete pain in the ass to move.
Dude. Three months ago when I was bored and looking for something get into. I've always been interested in collecting records and having a turntable that I was so close to being a fool and purchasing a Crosley or some other POS... I did a little bit of research and stumbled upon your videos. I got hooked. I wanted to make a solid purchase, I wanted it to sound good and look good. I learned a lot from your channel which led me to other sources of knowledge as well. I took a fancy to the RT81 (mindful of the speed nuances others have had) I figured let's try it out and see... I couldn't get enough of your videos I wanted to keep learning and discovering what I could get out of this newfound hobby. I couldn't wait. It came in the mail along with some LPs in less than a week. I Plugged it all in to my vizio sound bar and it all worked and sounded like a dream. But I knew I could go even further! I'm addicted. Here I am now, Just got the Fluance signature surround bookshelf speakers setup plus a PS Audio Sprout DAC (which is awesome btw)... needless to say, it is beautiful and truly sounds awesome. I am Soon to be upgrading to the Ortofon 2m Red cartridge and am looking for a solid pair of headphones. I'm trying to keep a wood/classy style setup here. I'm in the Navy and living in Bahrain right now so crate digging is disappointingly not an option. And any records I find out in malls are about 2 to almost 3x the price they are in American outlets and online retailers. But I am patient... I've got a nice little collection of LPs started. I'm still waiting on my imported Bohren and der club of gore Sunset Missions! I can't wait man. That parlour tricks LP is friggin awesome wish I could get my hands on a pressing of the blessed unrest. Well I'm gonna break in these speakers. Keep the wax spinnin man.
Nick E. Amazing review - extremely helpful truly 😍 thanks for sharing! I see you have experience now so I’m hoping you could help me out with these quick questions: Would getting the Fluance RT82 be unfortunate due to the ability to only listen to a 33 & 45? I think I would want to listen to a 78 (shellac record eventually) but I dislike the look of the Audio-Tech LP120.. any thoughts? Are there any other better looking Record Players tht have the speed 78 available (price range $200-400)? Or do you think Fluance RT82 is still worth it and I could find almost all the same songs of 78 in 33/45s tht sound just as good & in other words just should forget abt the LP120?
Looks like a reasonable turntable if it's not too pricey. Similar to the Trio turntable I had back in the 70s. But I don't think this would compare with a good direct drive one. For someone starting out, this might be a good first turntable to consider. My advice would be to go to a good Hi Fi store where you can listen to and compare different turntables using the same amplifier and speakers set up. What will probably affect the sound quality the most is the cartridge used, so if it is possible to compare turntables using the same make and model of cartridge, all the better.
Good to see you back. I have that turntable model and love it. It's probably the best one I've owned in recent years, but not even comparable to my original Sony from the 80s. :-)
I recently bought the rt81 and the passive speakers to go with it. I’m trying to maintain a budget and I’m wondering if I could use a 2 channel amplifier to connect the speakers and the turntable ?
Piyush Khopkar I agree I would like to know I am investing in a better record player I do know that the audio tecnica lp 120 is more expensive and has the 78 option
Same here. One of the big complaints about the LP120 was that it doesn't matter if you use an external preamp; the internal one is still in the signal path, so it will still affect the sound. Is it the same way with the RT81?
Agree. I like LP 120 because of the many options it has. I liked the look of Fluance though. My initial question was mainly about the sound quality between these two turntables.
Just got this today. Bought some records for it and it sounds great to me is the first time I have hear vinyl and is nice, there's just something different about it.
Amazing review - extremely helpful truly 😍 thanks for sharing! I see you have experience now so I’m hoping you could help me out with these quick questions: Would getting the Fluance RT82 be unfortunate due to the ability to only listen to a 33 & 45? I think I would want to listen to a 78 (shellac record eventually) but I dislike the look of the Audio-Tech LP120.. any thoughts? Are there any other better looking Record Players tht have the speed 78 available (price range $200-400)? Or do you think Fluance RT82 is still worth it and I could find almost all the same songs of 78 in 33/45s tht sound just as good & in other words just should forget abt the LP120?
This is in many ways very similar to a turntable from an Austrian company, the Reloop Turn 2. It uses the exact same tonearm counterweight and anti-skate mechanism, the same belt driven platter (and apparently also the motor) and also a very very similar overall build (especially the dust cover). However, Turn 2 comes in with Ortofon OM10E, while this one is I believe the ATN95E and also the Turn 2 does not feature an included pre-amp. In terms of sound quality (and purity), the Turn 2 is really a joy to use and listen to! Taking into account all the similarities mentioned, I can definitelly say that this is the turntable you should go for if you want a lower budget belt-driven HiFi turntable that however delivers insanely good sound, it is awesome.
Point of clarification: having a belt drive does not make a turntable immune to rumble (no turntable is immune...it's measured in dB, lower being better), especially if the drive isn't physically isolated from the plinth.
This review came at a perfect time. I'm in the market for a new turn-table and don't want to spend more than $300. I want to upgrade from my audio technica LP60, which has been a great starter turntable, but it is time to go up to something a bit better. I like the look of this thing.
+Andrew Kaiser I was in your position as well except my budget was 200$. I ended up choosing the Fluance RT80 and I'm pretty happy with it. Although, you have a bigger budget than me so I'd say do some further research as for what to buy. My other option was an AT LP120 but I wanted a black one. I don't understand why the black model is more expensive than the silver one when they're exactly the same. Oh well, good luck on finding your perfect turntable.
This probably would be a little upgrade but for sure not the best turntable in your price range. Check out the U-turn orbit on their website or the AT-LP-120
I've heard if you don't really care about the finish the RT80 is a good pickup, is that true? or are there other features i'm missing out on by saving 50 bucks?
I can't get this turntable in The Netherlands RIP. Was getting pretty excited because I felt like I finally found a reasonable turntable that is within my budget.
So I bought this set and this is my first one but I'm confused with the cables from the speaker to the turn table. (Sorry). So where can I buy the cables and is two holes in the back of the speaker but 1 in the back of the turn table ? I'm very confused and sorry but I'm new on this. Thank you for your help!!
Hi guys. Total newbie to turntables. I'm getting this for Christmas but am wondering about connection to speakers. I am totally out of the loop when it comes to connecting to a speaker. Will I need to just buy speakers and connect to the turntable using the line out option or do I need to have something else? Appreciate any advice. Thank you.
I just got the exact same turntable and speakers. What amo do you recommend to get? Also what else would I need. I'm really new to record players. Thanks in advance. Loved your video!
Liam Willett Quality control for the LP120 is awful. There are lots of manufacturing issues that have gone unchanged for years (like the warped platter for example) and the antiskate function is infamously ineffective. If you happen to get lucky and receive a good one, it’s a very nice turntable. And being direct drive, the revolution speed stays constant and accurate. I personally recommend the RT81 over the LP120, but they definitely both have their drawbacks. I realize this response is pretty late, but if you’re still considering I hope it helps
After watching videos like yours ! I went with this record player but I also bought the Ortofon Red ,,,Just in Case . I've read a lot about the one that comes with the RT81 and most were pretty happy with the one that comes with it ! I just really liked what I've seen of this player and if the internal pre amps a problem ill fix it ,,,Thanks for the posts
Hey Jarrett, what advice would you give for looking for and purchasing a turntable on eBay? (My local Craigslist came up dry.) What brands should I look out for?
+Antoni Soroka look for a platter that fully accommodates the record, meaning it doesn't stick out. Also look for a counter weight, those are usually a good indicator of quality Turntables.
Thinking of getting this to replace a cheap retro looking turntable I got as a gift. Just got to find small speakers as I don’t have much space for large speakers.
Im thinking of either getting this one or the audio technica lp60 , wich one should I get ? I really like that old school sound that the fluance RT81 has and I don’t mind either of their prices , just wondering though - do I have to get the fluance speakers or does any good quality speaker work ?
Hi Jarret, can you please do a review with sound test of this turntable. It is kind of pointless not to test it on camera. Why dont you get a vintage turntable man? Thorens or Technics?
Jarret I think Half MT is right. My suggestion is to do separate set of videos to compare the sound quality of the turntables you get and demonetize those videos so they cannot delete them. And it will be also a good idea to put all the information of each album you use for the test. Also the other route will be to ask independent artists if you can use their albums for audio tests. That is free advertising for them.
I’m late to this video but I just got this record player for Christmas and I’m new to the vinyl community. I want to set this up and play the records I got with it but I don’t have any speakers or equipment with it. Can I still play records without any external speakers or do I have to buy anything to play music on this. Thanks for this video! Definitely subscribing :)
Hi! Sir i need your help! I've looked on RUclips for answers to my question and it is not to be found I'd be pretty embarrassed if there is someone talking about this if it's out there I haven't seen it hopefully you can answer. I have a Krosley turntable I know people don't like them etc. etc. it uses the NP6 needle, its plastic stylus, and it sounds awful. Do you know of an upgrade stylus that would fit a turntable that fit NP6? Thank you so much please get back to me soon by the way I love the Fluance Gear!! So classy looking
+Daniel Troy P. Unfortunately with the Crosleys, all you can do is swap one NP6 Needle for another. They can't use any other styluses. I'd recommend upgrading to the Fluance RT81 or the Audio Technica LP-120 for more stylus upgrades and flexibility. Good luck!
Leon thepro Hi Leon, i have other hi end decks, but this Crosley Coupe model was a gift. Very very special to me. It's brand new and it means a lot to me and I'm determined to swap out the whole ceramic cartridge with another ceramic cartridge that fits a different style needle or look for a needle diamond of course that fits NP6 size cartridge. I see different DJs swapping out the whole tonearms on the smaller Newmark portable players I don't have the money for that. There's got to be a better quality ceramic cartridge and stylus that fits this player there just has to be. My son bought it for me and it means everything in the world to me. Thank you for your help and your advice sir I appreciate it
I have one. I wouldn't exactly call it "light weight". I don't really care about the lack of 78 rpm. _My_ only gripe is that the tone arm seems to be particularly sensitive at high volumes and will produce a low-end feedback. So if you want to crank it up, you have to ensure that there is ample proximity separation between the speakers and the rest of your setup.
Do you think playing this turntable through the phono input with a preamp would sound better than through a line input with a 5.1 receiver? I currently own a Yamaha RX-V385 5.1 home theater receiver set up in my living room with a Klipsch 5.1 speaker setup in my living room. I love it. I also have a Technics sa-ax730 receiver and technics tower speakers in my bedroom. For the best audio quality would you recommend running this turntable through the phono input on my Technics receiver or will it sound just the same as through the line input on my Yamaha receiver? Thanks in advance.
As someone starting off collecting records, would you recommend this or the LP120? I was going to gowith the LP60 but really Id end up wanting to upgrade so want a really good turntable to start off with. Could I use active speakers with the Fluance? Cheers!
I know how it is not having that item that you need to complete a setup VynalEyes. I had gotten the other half of a stereo setup, and replaced half of my equipment. I had to work the kinks out of running the equipment as I do heavy customized jobs with options. The new equipment included an AV jack for a sub-woofer, but I had to consider my sound quality in my new setup. I kept reshuffling everything around and realized that I was getting perfect circulating sounds, but the center had a void, and realized the sub-woofer jack of course would be a solution. I came to the conclusion a Koss sub-woofer would do it that creates natural flow bass. out of a sonorous style opening which connects to a rubber bass bladder as I call them. The problem was these sub-woofers are only available from the company new when you buy a equalizer. They charge $800.00 for the cheeper ones, and blow easy. As consequence people sell them online high price as they are a woofer for a set of equipment with specialized models. I waited for 2 years and got lucky. I was on my way en-route and ran into a garage sale and bought it for $5.00. Cheers too me. I plug it in and its been the best $5.00 buy sense. I have been using it for 3 years of full effect enjoyment. I have 4 other speakers to claim of like. 2 JVC dual ducts, there older but can put good sound output and are used for my rear. my for speakers are speakers that the ones given to you don't hold a candle too. they are 2 Sharp specials you can't google if I gave you the model number, basically unavailable in-house specials. They also have tweeters and the power they put out don't hold a candle. If you want to really get the best out of those 2 speakers I would suggest you raise them up to 60% of the hieght of your ceiling. Now, I am worried about the output of the stereo being able to actually power the speakers properly as I suspect yours are in the 70 to 140 watt range although I cannot be sure. They might even be up to 200. But I bet they are remastered to work somewhat as low as 2 Watts which you wont wish to try. Your main stereo I think might be an 80 watt. I bet you might be missing some quality in your trail if I am right on the 70 to 140. They will sound accurate, but quiet. The drums wont work sadly. Comanies NEVER send the right stuff no more. If you want better quality of transmition of your records I know the RCA is a nice older cable but you need to get serous, and get a higher class so the stereo receives a clearer signal. If you want me to find a good cable for you just reply to me saying get me options! When you call the company they will tell you a common lie. If its less than 6 feet it makes no difference between transmition source and the receive. But I find that 12 feet of cable is most often BETTER of a GOOD cabling than 6 feet of standard AV cable. :(
But you actually got to the heart of the problem. It SOUNDED GOOD. NOT AWESOME or GREAT. just Good. I am considering a turn table for mine, but haven't run into many records. My town is a snoozeville for music often.
My thoughts: 1) no auto return, bummer. I owned a belt-drive manual TT for many years and was fine with it. But once I got accustomed to the fully-automatics which will return the tone are and shut the unit off - no contest! Bummer that Fluance doesn't offer that feature. 2) Absolutely beautiful plinth. The MD board is fine, has good sound qualities and the finish is to-die-for looking. 3) Very good pricing for such good quality. They achieved this by limiting the features, such as the auto-return. In the end, I wish Fluance would make a TT like this but fully automatic, with the same finish and style. Oh well ~
Did you have any speed issues with this turntable? I have heard many people complain about having to adjust the speed with the adjustments on the bottom of the player. If so, once you adjust it, does it stay consistent at that speed or does it fluctuate, meaning you would have to adjust it frequently. Also how is the sound quality compared to the Audio-Technica LP120x-USB. Which would you recommend more?
Hi Jarrett, you didn't mention if you like the turntable or not, why you like or dislike the sound quality compared to the LP-120. Also did you install the Ortofon cartridge on it?
I would recommend the Fluance RT-81 as a starter turntable except for the tone arm. It is very cheaply made. We had ours for close to 2 years and the lock caused a mark on the tone arm because of poor quality plastic they used. Even if you move up to the RT-85 you get the same tone arm! I upgraded to a T Technic SL-1500C-K
Wondering about a good receiver to work with my RT-81 and my Fluance Signature Series 2-way speakers. I have a Sony that's about 7-8 years old and I'm looking for an upgrade. Thoughts? Thanks!
Nice video but it was a bit short. It would have been nice to hear a more extended review of the turntable. Maybe also hear a comparison to the ATLP 120
Hey Jarrett, welcome back! Could you do a video about record stabilizer clamps? I don't think you ever did one of those before. I own one and it's awesome. Many thanks.
The one I use is posted on this link: www.ebay.com/itm/SOLID-BRASS-Turntable-Record-LP-Album-Stabilizer-Clamp-Weight-Chrome-Finish-16oz-/400500503549?epid=1862031273&hash=item5d3fb0b3fd:g:OJoAAOSwAYtWHVF5
Doesn't phono enable the inbuilt amplifier? I have another turntable and stereo (with integrated amplifiers), and i have plugged the turn table into the phono inputs of the speaker and no external amplifiers. Is that a waste?
If I did'nt have a nice Rega turntable already I would be really interrested in this one. But great job on the video, I'm certain it will help alot of people to decide if they want this turntable :)
Superb TT ! Only gripe is the basic Audio Technica entry level cartridge which is a bit of a let down considering the build. So I would be swapping that out Jarrett for your usual Ortofon Red ASAP :)
What do you think of the Ion Max Audio turntables? Just ordered one a little ago and didn't want to spend over 100 on a turntable (and I got it a lot as decoration and I didn't want a bright silver audio technica)
Now you need to compare that turntable to the Audio Technica ATLP120 you had. I heard mixed ratings on the FLuance RT81 turntable. Some people state that the speed becomes off sync after awhile. Hopefully you will give updates on this turntable.
Nice set up . I hope that your family are ok with all of the flooding !!! Ok back to the set you got it looks very nice . I have had my turn table for a wile now so win mine dies I now have something to fall back on to . Thanks .Can you give a price range ?. Good video take .
Hi and yes I own a RT81 for about a year always had belt drive TT's ..I think it is a good turntable and is gorgeous my only gripe was cartridge weight they should have added a extra weight but anyway I'm running my first DD pioneer 1000 with a AT SH750 cartridge fantastic but yes it's a good TT for 250.00
Vinyl Head Amazing review - extremely helpful truly 😍 thanks for sharing! I see you have experience now so I’m hoping you could help me out with these quick questions: Would getting the Fluance RT82 be unfortunate due to the ability to only listen to a 33 & 45? I think I would want to listen to a 78 (shellac record eventually) but I dislike the look of the Audio-Tech LP120.. any thoughts? Are there any other better looking Record Players tht have the speed 78 available (price range $200-400)? Or do you think Fluance RT82 is still worth it and I could find almost all the same songs of 78 in 33/45s tht sound just as good & in other words just should forget abt the LP120?
I'm very keen to get into vinyl and I already have two records of my own and I have my eyes set on this turn table but it is hard to get into Australia.
I don't understand what a built in pre amp is.The only way I can listen to vinyl is to connect the record player to a stereo receiver which has a phone input.whats the other way?
Hi team. Im in the market for an entry level turn table, and am based overseas so my selection is a bit limited. I love the look of this new Fluance turntable, and was wondering if you could please let me know your thoughts on this vs the House of Marley Stir it up Turntable? Thank you!
I know not all amplifiers these days have a moving magnet input but some do and this was not mentioned. It does seem strange that they send you passive speakers to test with a turntable, when I first saw this video listed I assumed they would be active speakers.
What album are you playing with the blue and white marble? I see it says Still Life but the only Still Life I'm aware of is Opeth and that doesn't look like that.
Thanks! So with the the "phono" setting I could basically use any powered speaker set such as the Klipsch R-15PM set? I'm torn between this and player and the Pro-ject debut carbon Esprit ($599!).
Jarrett, your audience is asking for a comparison between the LP120 and RT81. That will be great, though.
Are you willing to do that for all of us???
Nearly bought the lp120 but didn't because of the many flaws
@@digbydaymd3 Better off to get the RT82, its more than the RT81 but its worth it
I own 2 RT 81's along with Fluance's bookshelf and floor standing speakers and love everything about all their products. They sound great, they look great and are all responsibly priced. Just a great company with great looking and sounding audio equipment.
+David Gena glad you're happy with them! :)
If you search here on youtube for a review of this turntable, theres a comparison between it and the lp120 showing the fluance wih very poor bass response.
If you watch it and listen, is yours like that, too? Or is there something in that video that doesnt add up? That video is really the only reason i havent purchased this fluance yet.
@@gurizuri5116 I just saw that video so which did u end up getting
Hey friends, welcome to Vinyl Eyezz, I'm Jarrett New and I definitely go purging every year
I've had this turntable for a while now, and it is absolutely freaking great
+Andrew Watson glad you're enjoying it! 😄
How's it holding up ? Had mine for about 2 weeks now, works great
I picked up the fluance record player about 9 months ago and I've been extremely satisfied with it. I've never had any issues with flutter or wow on it. With the combination of the ortofon red cartridge and a Cambridge audio pre amp, it's been fantastic. Glad to see that your review agreed with my thoughts on it.
+Ryan Pinney absolutely! It impressed me too, glad you're happy with it!
So, you managed to use that Ortofon cartridge on it, and is it working well? Any problem to balance the tone arm??
Skywalker. Nope, no problems with alignment or tone arm, I invested in a plastic alignment guide and a 5g stylus scale. I went back and double and sometimes triple checked that everything was square, and according to my tools it is. It was the first thing I did when I got it was to put the ortofon cartridge on there.
Awesome. That was the first thing I wanted to do with it: putting that Ortofon 2M red, but I was afraid of that... Anyways, now I will try it on. Thx a lot!
Good luck, I hope you get as much enjoyment out of it as I have had.
I bought a Fluance a few months ago as my first turntable in about 20 years. It works wonderfully.
+Mark Bornais nice! Glad you're back into Vinyl!
Mark Bornais how is it? I've seen a lot of reviews where after a few hours of play it loses speed.
I have the RT80 which I've been using since Feb 2017. No issues whatsoever. Works perfectly and has since day 1.
Why would I want my turntable to be light?
Generally when a piece of electronic equipment uses cheap plastic parts it doesn't weigh much. So generally the lighter something is the worse. My technics turntable weights 24lbs.
Rega makes excellent products, I was being very general. Usually among less expensive audio equipment light = crap.
Why would anyone want it heavy? And don't say tone is an issue.
It's not extremely light. It's definitely heavy enough to not have to worry about sympathetic reverberation or whatever, but it's light enough to not be a complete pain in the ass to move.
My Kenwood ways 35 pounds and it's not an issue it stays in one spot. Lighter just means cheaper to make and post to youtubers
Just got one for Christmas I'm stoked!
Just bought it. I've been researching Record Player's for quite awhile now and have decided on the Fluance. Looking forward for its arrival tomorrow!
+Colin Wilkening nice! You're going to love it! Beautiful look and beautiful sound 🔊😊
how do you like it
how do you like it? do you feel like you’re missing out on the ability to listen to 78 (shellac records)??!
Dude. Three months ago when I was bored and looking for something get into. I've always been interested in collecting records and having a turntable that I was so close to being a fool and purchasing a Crosley or some other POS... I did a little bit of research and stumbled upon your videos. I got hooked. I wanted to make a solid purchase, I wanted it to sound good and look good. I learned a lot from your channel which led me to other sources of knowledge as well. I took a fancy to the RT81 (mindful of the speed nuances others have had) I figured let's try it out and see... I couldn't get enough of your videos I wanted to keep learning and discovering what I could get out of this newfound hobby. I couldn't wait. It came in the mail along with some LPs in less than a week. I Plugged it all in to my vizio sound bar and it all worked and sounded like a dream. But I knew I could go even further! I'm addicted.
Here I am now, Just got the Fluance signature surround bookshelf speakers setup plus a PS Audio Sprout DAC (which is awesome btw)... needless to say, it is beautiful and truly sounds awesome. I am Soon to be upgrading to the Ortofon 2m Red cartridge and am looking for a solid pair of headphones. I'm trying to keep a wood/classy style setup here.
I'm in the Navy and living in Bahrain right now so crate digging is disappointingly not an option. And any records I find out in malls are about 2 to almost 3x the price they are in American outlets and online retailers. But I am patient... I've got a nice little collection of LPs started. I'm still waiting on my imported Bohren and der club of gore Sunset Missions! I can't wait man. That parlour tricks LP is friggin awesome wish I could get my hands on a pressing of the blessed unrest. Well I'm gonna break in these speakers. Keep the wax spinnin man.
Nick E. Amazing review - extremely helpful truly 😍 thanks for sharing! I see you have experience now so I’m hoping you could help me out with these quick questions: Would getting the Fluance RT82 be unfortunate due to the ability to only listen to a 33 & 45? I think I would want to listen to a 78 (shellac record eventually) but I dislike the look of the Audio-Tech LP120.. any thoughts? Are there any other better looking Record Players tht have the speed 78 available (price range $200-400)? Or do you think Fluance RT82 is still worth it and I could find almost all the same songs of 78 in 33/45s tht sound just as good & in other words just should forget abt the LP120?
Looks like a reasonable turntable if it's not too pricey. Similar to the Trio turntable I had back in the 70s. But I don't think this would compare with a good direct drive one. For someone starting out, this might be a good first turntable to consider. My advice would be to go to a good Hi Fi store where you can listen to and compare different turntables using the same amplifier and speakers set up. What will probably affect the sound quality the most is the cartridge used, so if it is possible to compare turntables using the same make and model of cartridge, all the better.
Trying to decide between the Fluance rt81 or audio technica lp120. Any comparing videos? What's your recommendation.
RT 81. Personally, I don't like the cheap plastic feel of most of the A.T.'s have.
I nearly bought the lp120 but changed my mind due to the awful flaws that appeared. Look for honest reviews of the120 and it really isn't good.
Good to see you back. I have that turntable model and love it. It's probably the best one I've owned in recent years, but not even comparable to my original Sony from the 80s. :-)
+Nostalgia Ward nice! Haha :)
I'll have to do a video on it sometime. It's a great machine.
His life story ends around 1:51 You're welcome
Thank you
I recently bought the rt81 and the passive speakers to go with it. I’m trying to maintain a budget and I’m wondering if I could use a 2 channel amplifier to connect the speakers and the turntable ?
For me this is the best turntable! I got it last year as well as Fluance floorstanding speakers from them and happy now. Thanks for this video!
+Максим Кравченко awesome! Glad you're enjoying them!
How would you compare this with Audio Technica LP 120?
Piyush Khopkar I agree I would like to know I am investing in a better record player I do know that the audio tecnica lp 120 is more expensive and has the 78 option
Same here. One of the big complaints about the LP120 was that it doesn't matter if you use an external preamp; the internal one is still in the signal path, so it will still affect the sound. Is it the same way with the RT81?
@Gilbert Jones Thank you for justifying our beloved LP120 haha :D
I see. I have Audio Technica LP 120 and didn't know that fact about preamp in Audio technica 120. Thanks!
Agree. I like LP 120 because of the many options it has. I liked the look of Fluance though. My initial question was mainly about the sound quality between these two turntables.
Just got this today. Bought some records for it and it sounds great to me is the first time I have hear vinyl and is nice, there's just something different about it.
I have the RT80 and it works flawlessly. I'm pretty happy with it.
+dalemau5 nice! Glad you like it!
+Vinyl Eyezz
Ayyyy you replied, means a lot. :D
Amazing review - extremely helpful truly 😍 thanks for sharing! I see you have experience now so I’m hoping you could help me out with these quick questions: Would getting the Fluance RT82 be unfortunate due to the ability to only listen to a 33 & 45? I think I would want to listen to a 78 (shellac record eventually) but I dislike the look of the Audio-Tech LP120.. any thoughts? Are there any other better looking Record Players tht have the speed 78 available (price range $200-400)? Or do you think Fluance RT82 is still worth it and I could find almost all the same songs of 78 in 33/45s tht sound just as good & in other words just should forget abt the LP120?
This is in many ways very similar to a turntable from an Austrian company, the Reloop Turn 2. It uses the exact same tonearm counterweight and anti-skate mechanism, the same belt driven platter (and apparently also the motor) and also a very very similar overall build (especially the dust cover). However, Turn 2 comes in with Ortofon OM10E, while this one is I believe the ATN95E and also the Turn 2 does not feature an included pre-amp. In terms of sound quality (and purity), the Turn 2 is really a joy to use and listen to! Taking into account all the similarities mentioned, I can definitelly say that this is the turntable you should go for if you want a lower budget belt-driven HiFi turntable that however delivers insanely good sound, it is awesome.
Yeh! You're alive! Keep spinning that vinyl :))
+Dematerialiser I'm alive! 😄✌️
I enjoy your videos and glad you are back.
+Karbine thank you! More great stuff on the way!
Point of clarification: having a belt drive does not make a turntable immune to rumble (no turntable is immune...it's measured in dB, lower being better), especially if the drive isn't physically isolated from the plinth.
I have the same one, only in a glossy black finish. I love it! Very nice for the price.
+CJ Dioguardi nice! Glad to like it! 😄
Im sooooooooo happy you are back.......I LOVE YOU RE VIDEOS😁😁😁😁
+David Balogh 😄✌️ great stuff on the way!
Love your videos! Glad your back!
+Jonathan Gillis thanks for watching! More good stuff on the way! 😊
Just bought mine waiting for it now I just cannot wait!
Glad your back. Very cool on the freebe
+Brian Marcou glad to be back, more stuff on the way!
Nice turntable!
I have many 78rpm records, but I prefer to use my Columbia gramophone.
For the other racords I use a JVC JL-A20 turntable from 1975
This review came at a perfect time. I'm in the market for a new turn-table and don't want to spend more than $300. I want to upgrade from my audio technica LP60, which has been a great starter turntable, but it is time to go up to something a bit better. I like the look of this thing.
+Andrew Kaiser
I was in your position as well except my budget was 200$. I ended up choosing the Fluance RT80 and I'm pretty happy with it. Although, you have a bigger budget than me so I'd say do some further research as for what to buy. My other option was an AT LP120 but I wanted a black one. I don't understand why the black model is more expensive than the silver one when they're exactly the same. Oh well, good luck on finding your perfect turntable.
+Andrew Kaiser this would definitely be an upgrade, the sound quality is solid
This probably would be a little upgrade but for sure not the best turntable in your price range. Check out the U-turn orbit on their website or the AT-LP-120
This Fluance RT 81 Turntable is Beautiful! I Love the Shiny Walnut Finish! I want to Upgrade to this one!
Welcome back Jarrett!
+Solid Vinyl thank you solid vinyl! Good to be back!
I've heard if you don't really care about the finish the RT80 is a good pickup, is that true? or are there other features i'm missing out on by saving 50 bucks?
I can't get this turntable in The Netherlands RIP. Was getting pretty excited because I felt like I finally found a reasonable turntable that is within my budget.
Cindy Alicia heb je inmiddels een platenspeler aangeschaft? Zo ja, welke? Ik ben al een hele tijd aan het speuren, maar blijf twijfelen
Nice turntable. I love how it looks.
+Lisa anne 😄✌️
I've been waiting for you to review thiss!
+Red Rebel the wait is over! Haha :)
So I bought this set and this is my first one but I'm confused with the cables from the speaker to the turn table. (Sorry). So where can I buy the cables and is two holes in the back of the speaker but 1 in the back of the turn table ? I'm very confused and sorry but I'm new on this.
Thank you for your help!!
Hi guys. Total newbie to turntables. I'm getting this for Christmas but am wondering about connection to speakers. I am totally out of the loop when it comes to connecting to a speaker. Will I need to just buy speakers and connect to the turntable using the line out option or do I need to have something else? Appreciate any advice. Thank you.
Would this be a good upgrade from the AT-LP60XBT, or are they about on par with each other?
I just got the exact same turntable and speakers. What amo do you recommend to get? Also what else would I need. I'm really new to record players. Thanks in advance. Loved your video!
Bad ass you’re from San Antonio!! And I’m actually thinking about asking for this record player for Christmas
Nice to see you back. :)
Glad to have you back. Will you go back to playing the AudioTechnica LP120? Looking forward to new videos soon.
Do you recommend the audio technica lp120 or this turntable? I’ve heard a lot of good and bad things about the lp120 but not much about the fluance.
Liam Willett Quality control for the LP120 is awful. There are lots of manufacturing issues that have gone unchanged for years (like the warped platter for example) and the antiskate function is infamously ineffective. If you happen to get lucky and receive a good one, it’s a very nice turntable. And being direct drive, the revolution speed stays constant and accurate. I personally recommend the RT81 over the LP120, but they definitely both have their drawbacks. I realize this response is pretty late, but if you’re still considering I hope it helps
@@eddboy6063 the anti-skate has been improved on the x model
After watching videos like yours ! I went with this record player but I also bought the Ortofon Red ,,,Just in Case . I've read a lot about the one that comes with the RT81 and most were pretty happy with the one that comes with it ! I just really liked what I've seen of this player and if the internal pre amps a problem ill fix it ,,,Thanks for the posts
Hey Jarrett, what advice would you give for looking for and purchasing a turntable on eBay? (My local Craigslist came up dry.) What brands should I look out for?
+Antoni Soroka look for a platter that fully accommodates the record, meaning it doesn't stick out. Also look for a counter weight, those are usually a good indicator of quality Turntables.
Welcome back!
+In the year 1230 A.D. Thank you!
Thinking of getting this to replace a cheap retro looking turntable I got as a gift. Just got to find small speakers as I don’t have much space for large speakers.
Im thinking of either getting this one or the audio technica lp60 , wich one should I get ?
I really like that old school sound that the fluance RT81 has and I don’t mind either of their prices , just wondering though - do I have to get the fluance speakers or does any good quality speaker work ?
Hi Jarret, can you please do a review with sound test of this turntable. It is kind of pointless not to test it on camera. Why dont you get a vintage turntable man? Thorens or Technics?
Majinga Zetto he can't play the sound, or else the video will get flagged or seen as copyright which would then lead to RUclips deleting it.
Not if your videos are demonetized. Demonetizing his videos would be a very smart move.
+Majinga Zetto RUclips is real strict about copyrighted music unfortunately :(
Jarret I think Half MT is right. My suggestion is to do separate set of videos to compare the sound quality of the turntables you get and demonetize those videos so they cannot delete them. And it will be also a good idea to put all the information of each album you use for the test. Also the other route will be to ask independent artists if you can use their albums for audio tests. That is free advertising for them.
@@halfmt4643 Unless he wants to..... make money :P
I’m late to this video but I just got this record player for Christmas and I’m new to the vinyl community. I want to set this up and play the records I got with it but I don’t have any speakers or equipment with it. Can I still play records without any external speakers or do I have to buy anything to play music on this. Thanks for this video! Definitely subscribing :)
Hi! Sir i need your help! I've looked on RUclips for answers to my question and it is not to be found I'd be pretty embarrassed if there is someone talking about this if it's out there I haven't seen it hopefully you can answer. I have a Krosley turntable I know people don't like them etc. etc. it uses the NP6 needle, its plastic stylus, and it sounds awful. Do you know of an upgrade stylus that would fit a turntable that fit NP6? Thank you so much please get back to me soon by the way I love the Fluance Gear!! So classy looking
+Daniel Troy P. Unfortunately with the Crosleys, all you can do is swap one NP6 Needle for another. They can't use any other styluses. I'd recommend upgrading to the Fluance RT81 or the Audio Technica LP-120 for more stylus upgrades and flexibility. Good luck!
Leon thepro Hi Leon, i have other hi end decks, but this Crosley Coupe model was a gift. Very very special to me. It's brand new and it means a lot to me and I'm determined to swap out the whole ceramic cartridge with another ceramic cartridge that fits a different style needle or look for a needle diamond of course that fits NP6 size cartridge. I see different DJs swapping out the whole tonearms on the smaller Newmark portable players I don't have the money for that. There's got to be a better quality ceramic cartridge and stylus that fits this player there just has to be. My son bought it for me and it means everything in the world to me. Thank you for your help and your advice sir I appreciate it
I have one. I wouldn't exactly call it "light weight". I don't really care about the lack of 78 rpm. _My_ only gripe is that the tone arm seems to be particularly sensitive at high volumes and will produce a low-end feedback. So if you want to crank it up, you have to ensure that there is ample proximity separation between the speakers and the rest of your setup.
I am looking into getting the RT80, would you recommend upgrading the cartridge?
Do you think playing this turntable through the phono input with a preamp would sound better than through a line input with a 5.1 receiver?
I currently own a Yamaha RX-V385 5.1 home theater receiver set up in my living room with a Klipsch 5.1 speaker setup in my living room. I love it. I also have a Technics sa-ax730 receiver and technics tower speakers in my bedroom.
For the best audio quality would you recommend running this turntable through the phono input on my Technics receiver or will it sound just the same as through the line input on my Yamaha receiver?
Thanks in advance.
Watched this o have never owned one or owned a record... i just ordered this table ... damn
As someone starting off collecting records, would you recommend this or the LP120?
I was going to gowith the LP60 but really Id end up wanting to upgrade so want a really good turntable to start off with.
Could I use active speakers with the Fluance? Cheers!
I know how it is not having that item that you need to complete a setup VynalEyes. I had gotten the other half of a stereo setup, and replaced half of my equipment. I had to work the kinks out of running the equipment as I do heavy customized jobs with options. The new equipment included an AV jack for a sub-woofer, but I had to consider my sound quality in my new setup. I kept reshuffling everything around and realized that I was getting perfect circulating sounds, but the center had a void, and realized the sub-woofer jack of course would be a solution. I came to the conclusion a Koss sub-woofer would do it that creates natural flow bass. out of a sonorous style opening which connects to a rubber bass bladder as I call them. The problem was these sub-woofers are only available from the company new when you buy a equalizer. They charge $800.00 for the cheeper ones, and blow easy. As consequence people sell them online high price as they are a woofer for a set of equipment with specialized models. I waited for 2 years and got lucky. I was on my way en-route and ran into a garage sale and bought it for $5.00. Cheers too me. I plug it in and its been the best $5.00 buy sense. I have been using it for 3 years of full effect enjoyment. I have 4 other speakers to claim of like. 2 JVC dual ducts, there older but can put good sound output and are used for my rear. my for speakers are speakers that the ones given to you don't hold a candle too. they are 2 Sharp specials you can't google if I gave you the model number, basically unavailable in-house specials. They also have tweeters and the power they put out don't hold a candle. If you want to really get the best out of those 2 speakers I would suggest you raise them up to 60% of the hieght of your ceiling. Now, I am worried about the output of the stereo being able to actually power the speakers properly as I suspect yours are in the 70 to 140 watt range although I cannot be sure. They might even be up to 200. But I bet they are remastered to work somewhat as low as 2 Watts which you wont wish to try. Your main stereo I think might be an 80 watt. I bet you might be missing some quality in your trail if I am right on the 70 to 140. They will sound accurate, but quiet. The drums wont work sadly. Comanies NEVER send the right stuff no more. If you want better quality of transmition of your records I know the RCA is a nice older cable but you need to get serous, and get a higher class so the stereo receives a clearer signal. If you want me to find a good cable for you just reply to me saying get me options! When you call the company they will tell you a common lie. If its less than 6 feet it makes no difference between transmition source and the receive. But I find that 12 feet of cable is most often BETTER of a GOOD cabling than 6 feet of standard AV cable. :(
But you actually got to the heart of the problem. It SOUNDED GOOD. NOT AWESOME or GREAT. just Good. I am considering a turn table for mine, but haven't run into many records. My town is a snoozeville for music often.
My thoughts: 1) no auto return, bummer. I owned a belt-drive manual TT for many years and was fine with it. But once I got accustomed to the fully-automatics which will return the tone are and shut the unit off - no contest! Bummer that Fluance doesn't offer that feature. 2) Absolutely beautiful plinth. The MD board is fine, has good sound qualities and the finish is to-die-for looking. 3) Very good pricing for such good quality. They achieved this by limiting the features, such as the auto-return. In the end, I wish Fluance would make a TT like this but fully automatic, with the same finish and style. Oh well ~
Did you have any speed issues with this turntable? I have heard many people complain about having to adjust the speed with the adjustments on the bottom of the player. If so, once you adjust it, does it stay consistent at that speed or does it fluctuate, meaning you would have to adjust it frequently. Also how is the sound quality compared to the Audio-Technica LP120x-USB. Which would you recommend more?
Hi Jarrett, you didn't mention if you like the turntable or not, why you like or dislike the sound quality compared to the LP-120. Also did you install the Ortofon cartridge on it?
That wood grain is gorgeous.
I've been thinking about buy this turntable for a bit....How does it sound without it being connected to external speakers?
I would recommend the Fluance RT-81 as a starter turntable except for the tone arm. It is very cheaply made. We had ours for close to 2 years and the lock caused a mark on the tone arm because of poor quality plastic they used. Even if you move up to the RT-85 you get the same tone arm! I upgraded to a T Technic SL-1500C-K
Wondering about a good receiver to work with my RT-81 and my Fluance Signature Series 2-way speakers. I have a Sony that's about 7-8 years old and I'm looking for an upgrade. Thoughts? Thanks!
Nice video but it was a bit short. It would have been nice to hear a more extended review of the turntable. Maybe also hear a comparison to the ATLP 120
Hey Jarrett, welcome back! Could you do a video about record stabilizer clamps? I don't think you ever did one of those before. I own one and it's awesome. Many thanks.
+Dean Koback that'd be a good idea! Which record stabilizer clamp do you have?
The one I use is posted on this link: www.ebay.com/itm/SOLID-BRASS-Turntable-Record-LP-Album-Stabilizer-Clamp-Weight-Chrome-Finish-16oz-/400500503549?epid=1862031273&hash=item5d3fb0b3fd:g:OJoAAOSwAYtWHVF5
The turntable that I have is the AT-PL120. Not the LP120. Love this turntable to death.
Awesome dude !!!!!! . . . but what happened with your audiotechnica ?
I really like mine! I did doible check my speed a couple of weeks after I got it and it dropped by an rpm or 2 but it's not too difficult to readjust.
Doesn't phono enable the inbuilt amplifier?
I have another turntable and stereo (with integrated amplifiers), and i have plugged the turn table into the phono inputs of the speaker and no external amplifiers. Is that a waste?
Very well done,thx 👏
If I did'nt have a nice Rega turntable already I would be really interrested in this one.
But great job on the video, I'm certain it will help alot of people to decide if they want this turntable :)
+Stefan Johansson Regas are good too! Glad you're happy with your vinyl setup!
The Cure's Disintegration would be a perfect control record to test stuff out.
+Ian Scotto Rosano yes! I LOVE listening to that album at night!
Welcome Back!
+Gili1973 thank you!
We missed you, Jared, nice to see you again!
Superb TT ! Only gripe is the basic Audio Technica entry level cartridge which is a bit of a let down considering the build. So I would be swapping that out Jarrett for your usual Ortofon Red ASAP :)
better be switching to the 2m red, and that crappy speaker wire too get some 12g
+tubeie07 for sure, the Ortofon 2M Red is an awesome upgrade!
I own an RT81. Love it! Not a better value for the money IMO. $249 ...and usually if you sign up for their news letter you get a $25 off incentive.
LGR is drooling over that wood grain.
hi jarrett could you tell me what do you think about the new sony turntable PS-HX500
thanks
What do you think of the Ion Max Audio turntables? Just ordered one a little ago and didn't want to spend over 100 on a turntable (and I got it a lot as decoration and I didn't want a bright silver audio technica)
Between this and an U-turn costume? (U-turn everything is basic but with a built in preamp and lever)
How's the wow and flutter?
Did you do the 24 hour burn in period as the manual suggested and just let it run prior to playing a record?
Now you need to compare that turntable to the Audio Technica ATLP120 you had. I heard mixed ratings on the FLuance RT81 turntable. Some people state that the speed becomes off sync after awhile. Hopefully you will give updates on this turntable.
+INERTIA 4 that could definitely be a good idea for a future review vid!
Nice!!! Okay, when you get around to it.
That I heard. That's why I will stick with a direct drive turntable.
Nice set up . I hope that your family are ok with all of the flooding !!! Ok back to the set you got it looks very nice . I have had my turn table for a wile now so win mine dies I now have something to fall back on to . Thanks .Can you give a price range ?. Good video take .
+Beatle Brad thankfully they're all ok! Thanks for asking! The price for the Fluance RT81 is 250, which is pretty reasonable considering the quality!
Yes your right that's not bad at all . That's a diner out lol just kidding . take care.
'Im back' I reckon some action star should use that line! LOL
+Chris Morse haha 😂
Welcome back
I just ordered one. I hope it's good.
Great videos mate. Have you checked out the new mag lev audio turntable bet it will float your boat or records as it levitates.
Hi and yes I own a RT81 for about a year always had belt drive TT's ..I think it is a good turntable and is gorgeous my only gripe was cartridge weight they should have added a extra weight but anyway I'm running my first DD pioneer 1000 with a AT SH750 cartridge fantastic but yes it's a good TT for 250.00
Vinyl Head Amazing review - extremely helpful truly 😍 thanks for sharing! I see you have experience now so I’m hoping you could help me out with these quick questions: Would getting the Fluance RT82 be unfortunate due to the ability to only listen to a 33 & 45? I think I would want to listen to a 78 (shellac record eventually) but I dislike the look of the Audio-Tech LP120.. any thoughts? Are there any other better looking Record Players tht have the speed 78 available (price range $200-400)? Or do you think Fluance RT82 is still worth it and I could find almost all the same songs of 78 in 33/45s tht sound just as good & in other words just should forget abt the LP120?
How do you connect those speakers directly to the rt81? There is 0 guidance online about this. Literally none.
I'm very keen to get into vinyl and I already have two records of my own and I have my eyes set on this turn table but it is hard to get into Australia.
I thought how can Jared dump the AT LP120 but was glad you was just trying it out
+barriep9 for sure, I'll never drop my LP-120, I really dig it and it's my first turntable.
I do have one question and it is which turntable do you like better the Fluance’s RT81 or the audio technica lp120
I don't understand what a built in pre amp is.The only way I can listen to vinyl is to connect the record player to a stereo receiver which has a phone input.whats the other way?
Hi team. Im in the market for an entry level turn table, and am based overseas so my selection is a bit limited. I love the look of this new Fluance turntable, and was wondering if you could please let me know your thoughts on this vs the House of Marley Stir it up Turntable? Thank you!
Do you prefer this over the at120?
I know not all amplifiers these days have a moving magnet input but some do and this was not mentioned. It does seem strange that they send you passive speakers to test with a turntable, when I first saw this video listed I assumed they would be active speakers.
What album are you playing with the blue and white marble? I see it says Still Life but the only Still Life I'm aware of is Opeth and that doesn't look like that.
Thanks! So with the the "phono" setting I could basically use any powered speaker set such as the Klipsch R-15PM set? I'm torn between this and player and the Pro-ject debut carbon Esprit ($599!).