Fluance RT85N - Best Value High-Performance Turntable
The Fluance RT85N offers astonishing performance for its price, combining an accurate, detailed sound with premium build quality and components typically found on more expensive models.
- +Includes premium components like an acrylic platter and a high-end Nagaoka MP-110 cartridge out of the box
- +Delivers exceptionally accurate and neutral sound reproduction suitable for all music genres
- +Features a heavy, solid-wood plinth and adjustable isolation feet for superior vibration control
- -Does not include a built-in phono preamp, requiring an external unit for most systems
- -The glossy finishes are prone to showing fingerprints and require careful maintenance
- -Lacks upgradeability beyond the cartridge, as key components like the platter are already at a high level
The Fluance RT85N emerges as a standout value proposition in the turntable market, frequently praised for delivering performance that challenges models at significantly higher price points. Its strength lies in the inclusion of several high-end features as standard equipment. Most notably, it comes fitted with the acclaimed Nagaoka MP-110 moving-magnet cartridge, a component often recommended as a standalone upgrade for other turntables. It also features a 16mm thick acrylic platter, a material favored for its low resonance and sonic benefits, which is usually an expensive add-on. The turntable itself is built on a substantial 16.7-pound solid-wood veneer plinth, supported by three adjustable, spike-tipped rubber isolation feet to effectively decouple it from external vibrations. This robust construction contributes to its sonic performance. The RT85N is characterized by its accurate and transparent sound signature.
It adds very little of its own character, instead presenting a faithful and detailed representation of the recording. Frequency response is even, stereo imaging is precise, and it exhibits very low levels of distortion and wow-and-flutter. This makes it a versatile performer capable of handling any musical genre with competence. User-friendly features include a cue lever, auto-stop function, electronic speed switching, and a straightforward anti-skate dial. The package even includes thoughtful accessories like cotton gloves and a bubble level. The primary trade-off for this performance is the lack of a built-in phono stage, but this is common at this performance tier and allows users to select a preamp that matches their system. For the buyer seeking maximum performance and premium components per dollar spent, the Fluance RT85N is an exceptionally compelling and highly recommended option.