Unbeatable? Fluance RT-85N Turntable Review - Now with Extra Nagaoka!

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[CHICO]

I have had at least 6 turn tables in my 84 years and when I bought the RT-85 with the 2M blue I was blown away...it cost me more than you paid as the price is in USD and I am in Canada...the closest cartridge I could compare with Shure V15II which I still own...good show btw

[Akstergrind]

I'm the kind of person who, 99% of the time, makes the wrong decision, but buying the RT85 has proved SO right! I also like to swap my system around a lot, but since getting the RT85 around six months ago, I haven't felt the need to swap to any of my other three turntables at all. Proper value for money and great sound, too! Marvellous!

[jamytodd]

Great review! I purchased the RT85N as my first serious turntable.
I know this was posted about 2 years ago. But it is still a very good value for the money.
And have yet to see any others that match it in value.

Keep up the good work!

[Cosmican]

Randy, you provide the best entertainment value by far on YouTube for audio/vinyl enthusiasts. Plus some solid audio info to boot. Thanks for being on my wavelength, man.

[TLTommy]

Appreciate your straightforward, honest assessments, keeping it simple, and throwing in some good humor - it's fun to learn from you. Your laid back demeanor while explaining things in just the right amount of detail is really helpful for those of us who have other things to worry about in addition to our audio equipment, so want the straight scoop presented efficiently, which really helps in making the right decisions. Just the right amount of enthusiasm included where you think it is warranted, and it is legit and so rubs off. RT-85 for me with maybe the Fosi pre-amp (love the tube look) to get myself back into the vinyl game for the first time since saying good-bye in the late 80's/early 90's. Thanks!

[dank.]

I was asked by a friend to recommend a good turntable that would last, and not crazy expensive, in other words, a solid piece and good value. Based on 2M Blue, build quality, headshell and semiautomatic operation, the RT85 was easy to recommend and he's thrilled with it. The difference between cost and value is huge.

[edwardgianni]

Hi Randy. Sorry if this was already mentioned, but I didn't want to look through over 200 comments by others. I found on Fluance's web site in their resources section that in addition to the cartridge change, the other difference between the RT85 and RT85N is that they adjusted the tonearm on the RT85N to account for the configuration of the Nagaoka MP-110. Here is what they say:

"The tonearm is lower on the RT85N to accommodate for the height of the Nagaoka Cartridge and VTA which differ greatly from the 2M cartridges. While the MP-110 can be used on the standard RT85 the vertical tracking angle may not be optimal."

I was wondering if you notice a less than optimal performance of the MP-110 on your upgraded RT83.

[waynebarto]

Hi Randy...good review! They seem like nice turntables and they would be at the top of my list if I was in the market. One thing you probably should mention is that when changing the head shell and cartridge, the whole tonearm assembly needs to be re-balanced due to different cartridge weights. After re-balancing the tracking force and anti-skating adjustments also need to be re-set too. Keep on trucking!

[AndyBHome]

I'm very pleased to hear Randy pronounce Nagaoka elegantly and accurately. It seems like a bunch of people can't seem to say Nagaoka without hurting themselves.

I helped set up an RT82 a few days ago and I really liked it. I remember isolation being a really big deal for turntables before CDs came out. The RT82, and I assume everything above it in their line, had really excellent isolation from vibration in the surface that it sits on.

[bdsattern]

Great review on the Fluance Reference line, Randy. I recently purchased an RT85 and upgraded the cartridge to an Audio-Technica VM540ML. Highly recommended — especially if you like the fuller, more balanced sound of the Nagaoka MP-110 over the Ortofon Blue — you’ll be impressed. After trying a handful of different cartridges over the past few years, I’m convinced that Audio-Technica is among the most ‘transparent’ of them all. It seems to bring out a rich, detailed sound that’s truer to the nature of the vinyl, plus whatever the sound signature of your specific turntable is. This as opposed to a cartridge like the Ortofon 2M Blue that often tends to overpower the music with it’s own characteristics. Appreciate your channel — cheers!

[denniswade]

I purchased the RT85 with 2M Blue and matched it with the ifi Zen Phono amp, and It is everything you talked about in this video.
The build quality of the turntable exceeds the price being asked. I got the bamboo finish, and think it's very beautiful!
I purchased the turntable just when Fluance introduced the Nagaoka cartridge choice. I really wanted the bamboo finish, and it wasn't available
at that time with the RT85N, so I went with the 2M Blue.
So far, I love the sound. I have it connected to a tube amp, and I think the tubes help the 2M Blue to not sound too bright.
At least, to my ears.
Gotta say, I am one happy puppy!
.

[phonatic]

Have been using the MP-500 for 8 years now as my prime cartridge and just love it. Just got the MP-200 for office turntable. Soooo good to finally see a Nagaoka appearance after all this Ortofon overload.

[neilfisher]

I agree with you 100%. I bought the RT85 with the Ortofon 2m blue a few months ago. Very happy with it. I considered Rega and Pro-ject but felt like the Fluance was the best deal with a great cartridge included. I also have experience with the Nagaoka mp110 cartridge and as you say it is a little fuller sounding but a little less detail than the Ortofon. The Ortofon works well for me and my ear.

[QoraxAudio]

5:24 If you want to keep a spare belt in top condition, store it in a zipbag with some talc powder. That way the rubber doesn't become brittle/deteriorates as quickly.
8:20 A heavier tonearm doesn't necessarily imply a "sonic penalty"... it's just that a heavier tonearm works better with lower compliance cartridges, while a lighter tonearm works better with higher compliance cartridges - it's all about synergy! 👍

[jamesminotto]

I have the MP 110 on my Dual 1219 via a Schitt Mani into a Yamaha CA-1000 going to JBL L88 Plus. Old school vintage sound! Really enjoyed this review!

[blythewilson]

Glad to hear a positive on the the RT85 from you as I went back and forth several times while trying to make my decision and finally decided on the RT85 based on the features vs cost. I’ve been very happy with it and the Ortofon 2m blue. Cheers!

[maddhendrix]

Fluance to this day has yet to sell me something I have disliked. I started with the white rt82. Loved it. It was my first real table. My wife loved it cause it was white and matched all of our farm house crap lol. I got their preamp. Sounds great.

Now over time I've upgraded the table. First the acrylic platter, which made things so much better. If for the dust problem alone. I'm in a desert. One wipe of the platter, no more dusty side 2.

Then I swapped the cartridge to the 2m red, I think I'll get the blue one day, but right now I'm so happy with the sound, I might not touch it. I drop the needle sometimes, close my eyes and just get transported to another world!

If I could do it all over again I probably would have started with the rt85, but it's been fun to listen, tinker, and just enjoy music. Best part of it all I'm turning one of my kids into a vinyl head, so now I have a listening buddy! Life is good. Thanks Fluance

[josephcollesano]

I’m running an 85 with an AT-540ML. Sounds amazing!

[TommyG]

The Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo got my money last year. I really like it, but wish it had removable headshells, and acrylic platter. I Considered the RT85, but the limited availability had me go elsewhere. For the $500 price range most of the reviews at the time had the Pro-Ject rated at the top. I think it's really hard to say which is "best", since the features are slightly different and sound quality is very close to the same.

[odwatchguy]

Thanks Randy, I appreciate you explaining the difference between the Nagaoka and the 2M Blue. I tried to go cheaper on a turntable and wasn't happy, I should have just gone up to this in the first place. Live, learn and listen. Thank you.