RT81 Elite High Fidelity Vinyl Turntable Record Player with Audio Technica AT95E Cartridge, Belt Drive, Built-in Preamp, Adjustable Counterweight, High Mass MDF Wood Plinth - Walnut

I purchased both this table and their rt80, as I have multiple setups, and let me start by saying, finally a company who does it right! Build quality on this thing is of the up most quality. Everything is in line, clean, and runs beautifully. Aesthetically, the rt81 is gorgeous, but it is not only eye candy...the sound quality of this turntable is unrivaled, even of more expensive tables. I was using the built in preamp through my denon 9.1 avr setup and was just throttled by how rich a sound I was getting out of such a well built machine. I honestly do not think there is a better company making turntables, with or without a preamp, any where near this price point for the quality machine you are getting. There are so many poor built turntables out there now that just eat your records with bad needles and poor quality control....this, however, this not one of them. Setup was a breeze, i was listening to my records ten minutes after unboxing it. They even took the time to package it very thoughtfully, as to ensure the safety of all the components during travel. Clearly this is a company who cares. Customer service even followed up by calling to ask if I had any questions and if I was satisfied, i didn't even think good customer service existed anymore! Alas, i was wrong! The truth of it is you are getting one of the best built and sounding turntables on the market at an unbelievable price. I did, however, receive a discount for an honest review, and because I was so impressed with the build and sound quality of the rt80, I bought the rt81 for my other setup. Do yourself a favor if you are in the market for a new turntable, and buy one of fluances tables.

Ooooo, nice turntable. I replaced my Sony direct drive TT (circa 1978) with this, bought new speakers, and started listening to my collection of LP's. Beautiful and simple turntable. Easy to set-up. I needed to increase the tracking force from 2.0 to about 2.2 to avoid skips on some of my older albums, but that was well within the range for the cartridge (1.5 to 2.5). The hook for me was the auto-stop and the price. I really wanted a semi-automatic TT, but this was the next best thing for the $. This TT is great for the cost. And, yes you CAN make MP3 files with this TT. You will need to buy an adapter cable from phono to 3.5mm jack & download some free software, Google it. I'm using a preamp Technolink TC-756USB RIAA Moving Magnet Phono Preamp with AUX Input and USB (Computer) Output and use it to rip the analog to digital. This preamp can also be used to input computer sound files through to an amp. Update 2/10/2017: I encountered a huge WOW. I thought I would be contacting Fluance & returning the TT for repair, BUT, I let the TT run with the arm up for a couple of hours to see what would happen. The WOW went away, and has yet to return. I'll keep an ear on this. I'm glad there's a two year warranty. The auto stop works well. Takes about 11 rotations before it kicks-in. I wish it also picked-up the arm as well, but it is as advertised. I have encountered a lot of skipping on some of my old LP's. I think this is more a function of the cartridge than the turntable. My old DD TT (Sony PS-X20, 1978) did not skip on these same records. I'll look at the cartridge on that machine and see what I have....the old TT is in the basement in a box....I was going to sell it, but now I think I found some parts from EBAY and I might be able to repair the arm lifter. Update 3/24/2017: Noticed wow on a digital recording I made from this turntable BUT upon close inspection discovered that the LP had grooves that were off-center. The tone arm was weaving back and forth as it tracked. Just a heads-up to check the media as a potential source of wow, and not just assume that the turntable is at fault. Update 4/3/2017: The OEM AT95E stylus was at fault for skips. Fluance responded by sending me a new AT95E cartridge, and I swapped out the stylus. The same passages that had been skipping now played through. I blame AT for this, and not Fluance. Fluance was very responsive sending a replacement (no charge). Update 5/8/2017: Upgraded cartridge to Audio-Technica AT120EB. Works well. No issue with install or balancing. Used a spare cartridge shell, so now I have a quick way to drop in a spare.

It's the end of 2019 and my late-70's Sanyo turntable that has been in my family since I was a wee lad has finally given up the ghost. When it was new, it was a solid mid-range turntable with nice features like direct drive, auto play and return, and easily-adjusted speed. It lasted forty years, which is more than I can say about most modern pieces of audio equipment. A moment of silence, please. When looking for a replacement turntable, I found that I wasn't able to find a decent model that had all of the functions of my old turntable unless I was willing and able to plop down more cash than was possible while keeping my marriage intact. I get it. Records are now and will remain a niche format at best, so the economies of scale dictate that the cost of obtaining a solid turntable is going to be higher than the days when vinyl was the dominant audio format. Still, I was determined to get the best quality turntable that I could afford. My demands were few, but important: It had to be well-constructed. - While I don't expect the turntable to last me for the rest of my life, it had to feel solid and use durable materials. It had to have decent sound. - While I still have decent hearing, I'm in my late-40's, so the days when I could easily discern minute differences in frequency are in the past. With that said, I love my records and want to get the best possible sound quality out of them. Yes, records have shortcomings. Even the best-maintained record may have the occasional pop or crackle. However, a well-mastered and pressed album can deliver audio that stands toe-to-toe with most modern digital releases. Yes, high-res digital audio files have been released for many albums, but everything comes down to mastering and there are a lot of albums being sold as high-res that sound terrible. A container is only as good as the audio it contains. It had to allow me to easily change the cartridge, stylus, and shell and allow for the necessary adjustments when doing so. - I don't care how nice the cartridge and stylus are that are included with a turntable; they wear out over time. Also, there are more often than not better-quality options for these items on the market. It had to provide assurance that it wouldn't tear up my records. - When I see people buying a Crosley or any other ultra-cheap turntable I want to grab them by the shoulders and beg them to turn away from the dark path on which they are heading. If you're willing to pay the inflated prices that records go for these days, especially newer pressings, the last thing you want to do is play them on a turntable that has a tracking force so high that you may as well be using a sewing needle. Taking all of this "must-have's" into account, anything else offered by a particular model would be icing on the cake. I looked around at audiophile sites, publications, etc. and, after laughing at some of the models that were touted as "good buys" that cost as much as a semester at college, I saw the same brand mentioned time and time again: Fluance. Fluance has garnered a healthy reputation as a company that offers a wide range of turntables that deliver solid performance for quite reasonable prices. Like all turntable manufacturers, they offer some high-end models, but even the models toward the lower end of their catalog don't skimp on the necessities. The RT81 falls into the lower end of their range, but I have to say that I'm impressed with it. It was easy to assemble and the parts are constructed of sturdy materials. It offers a built-in preamp for those without phono inputs on their receiver, however it is easily disabled via a switch on the rear of the turntable should you have an external preamp or one built into your receiver. I had no trouble at all switching out the included cartridge and stylus with an Ortofon Red that I had been using on my old turntable (Those are amazing, by the way.) and making the adjustments on the tone arm. I've been putting the turntable through its paces quite a bit since its arrival and am very satisfied with the audio quality. It doesn't blow away some of the more expensive turntables I've listened to, but it's very good, especially considering its cost. It is good enough that, should I find myself in a position wherein I can afford a more expensive turntable, I wouldn't hesitate considering one of Fluance's higher-end models. The fact that there was obvious care put into one of their lower-end models speaks volumes about the company. Do I miss the extra features I had on my Sanyo that are lacking on the Fluance RT81? Sure. With that said, the RT81 has so far delivered very solid, no-frills performance and I'm more than satisfied with my purchase.

My BIL is a bit of an audiophile. I am not, and wanted an upgrade from the old Crosley we’ve had, but I just don’t care about all the niche bits of turntables and audio quality. He recommended Fluance to me, and owns one of their much more expensive models. This was a good elevated but still in my budget option, and while I was nervous about buying a refurbished product, it was in immaculate condition and very well packaged. It was easy and intuitive to set up, the user manual was easy to follow, and several months later, I’m still super happy with my purchase. It’s sturdy, beautiful, reliable, and works well with my speakers. Excellent purchase and if you, like me, agonized over the zillions of options and models that seem not that different, this is the one. Buy it and have no regrets!

The Fluance RT81 Elite is an incredible turntable for the price and an excellent entry point into vinyl. It feels solid and well built, with a thick, high-gloss plinth that looks sleek and substantial in person. It doesn’t feel cheap or lightweight, and it fits nicely into a living space where it’s meant to be seen, not hidden away. Sound quality is very impressive for a starter table. It delivers a clean, enjoyable presentation and easily competes with turntables that cost quite a bit more. The built-in phono preamp works well and is a great feature to have, especially if you’re pairing it with a basic amp or powered speakers. It makes setup simple without sacrificing sound. I also checked wow and flutter using my phone, and the results were well within acceptable tolerances, which lines up with how stable it sounds in real-world listening. Pitch is consistent and records play smoothly. I have it connected to a small amplifier and a pair of 4-inch bookshelf speakers, and it’s been perfect for our family room. It’s great for putting a record on in the background when guests are over while still sounding good enough to sit down and listen closely.

For the price, this turntable looks great and plays well. It doesn't have some of the bells and whistles one might find on more expensive units, but that's not the target audience for this product. The minor assembly required was straightforward and easy. Instructions were well-written and clear. I used the "Phono" setting switch on the turntable and plugged the cables into the phono inputs on my receiver, because my receiver has a fairly good preamp. Sound quality was crisp and clear, with no detectable varying of speed. The included rubber mat was nice. Seems well constructed. This unit really should come with adjustable feet.

I've owned this turnatable now for about two (2) weeks. I needed a new turntable to replace my "antique" 1983 T******* direct drive turntable. I have several speakers in my home theater setup that are Fluance and they sound phenomenal. So, when it came to looking for a turntable, I thought I would give Fluance a try again and they did not disappoint. This turntable is a solid walnut base (its not "walnut finish" but actual walnut) and I love the oversize raised rubber feet on the bottom. Even when my kids jump around, I never hear a skip. It comes very well packaged and other than the minor little trick part of slipping the belt over the motor drive spindle, I thought setup was a snap. It does take a little time to balance the tonearm correctly but with a little patience, this is not difficult to accomplish. This is a completely manual-style turntable. I wasn't prepared for that as my previous turntable. This has been an adjustment for me since my old turntable had an auto tonearm return when it reached the end of the LP. This turntable does not automatically lift the tonearm and return it to the right-most resting position. One must lift the tonearm from the LP and return it to the resting position. However, it does automatically stop the platter from turning after thirty (30) seconds should you not get to it in time at the end of the LP. So, you don't have to be concerned with the stylus being in contact with the spinning platter for infinity (should you fall asleep). Unlike my old turntable, it does have an "on/ off knob at the front with a tiny white LED indicator to show that the power is on. The built-in pre-amp (which you can select to be on or off, depending on your receiver's capabilities) and the phono cartridge are decent enough to get started (although I plan on replacing the phono cartridge with a higher-grade offering and possibly a separate high-grade pre-amp). Albeit, for most folks with a decent receiver, the sound this Fluance turntable puts-out is pretty darned good to these ears as is! Granted, it probably doesn't sound as good as some high-end models, isn't direct drive, and probably wouldn't pass the minds and ears of an audiophile-type but for us regular folks who just appreciate a good sounding LP, this turntable will fit the bill and won't break the bank. Highly recommended.

I've had mine almost a year now, and probably play around 3 albums a week. It's working great and looks really nice. The included stylus sounds fine to my non-audiophile ears, but can also be upgraded if you want. It is NOT automatic, and that is exactly what I wanted. Has a built-in preamp. Is fairly heavy-- a good thing. Overall very pleased.

Arrivato nei tempi, ben imballato, facile da montare. Messo in funzione subito, ottima prestazione.

Tout est ok, platine parfaite pour mon usage. La notice est en anglais et le réglage du contrepoids un peu délicat, mais pour le reste, c'est un excellent produit.

Tornamesa de alta calidad, a pesar de ser "gama de entrada". Después de mucho investigar, me decidí por éste sobre Audio Technica, ya que aunque el Fluance no es automático, la calidad del audio es superior. Y tiene la opción de que puedas hacer mejoras en el futuro. El phono preamp integrado es de Texas instruments, así que no necesitas uno, al menos de entrada. Ensamblarlo es fácil, hay videos para calibrar bien el brazo, sin tema 👍🏻. Se dejó llevar muy bien con un amplificador híbrido con tubos de Aiyima, y salida con unas Dali Spektor 1. El sonido es suave, cálido, y a la vez claro. Obviamente, el Audio depende directamente de tu fuente, tu amplificador y tus bocinas. Muy, muy contento con mi nuevo tornamesa. De lo mejor que he comprado en Amazon 🙌🏻

Dieser Plattenspieler ist nur für High-Hifi-Fans geeignet. Eine Start-Stop Automatik gibt es nicht, auf Bluetooth oder USB solltes Du auch verzichten können. Dafür bekommst Du ein Gerät mit Ober-Klasse-Ambitionen zum Einsteiger-Preis. Für mehr Komfort (Halb- oder Voll-Automatik) werden locker 100 bis 200,- € mehr fällig. Das Gerät wird ordentlich verpackt geliefert. Der Tonkopf, das Gegengewicht, der Platten-Teller und der Deckel sind separat verpackt und müssen montiert werden. Der Zusammen-Bau ist für Laien nicht ganz einfach aber mit online Videos gut möglich. Die Anleitung liegt nur in Englisch bei. Ein "Vinyl-Fan" kennt die Prozedur vom alten Player - aus die 70er und 80er. Der Spieler macht einen soliden Eindruck. Er sieht wertig und sehr edel aus. Der Deckel ist leicht getönt, die Chich-Anschlüsse sind vergoldet, ein vergoldetes Kabel (ca. 90 cm, mit Erdung) ist im Lieferumfang. Ich nutze ein ca. 150 cm AUX Kabel mit doppelter Abschirmung (vergoldet ohne Erdung). Das Netzteil ist extern, der Anschluss an der Rückseite. Der Tonabnehmer ist ein Original von Audio Technika mit elyptischen Schliff, der gesamte Tonkopf ist wechselbar und Upgrade fähig. Ich habe das Gerät an einen Denon AVR 1200 angeschlossen. Dieser hat keinen Phono-Anschluss. Die Wiedergabe über einen analogen Chich-Eingang funktioniert einwandfrei. Der Sound über meine 7.0 (Polk ES Serie und JBL L-150 Serie) Lautsprecher Konfiguration ist fantastisch - in Stereo und DTS-X (ein AVR 2800 ist geplant). Für Grobmotoriker mit schlechten Augen ist das Gerät nicht geeignet. Festere Berührungen (auch das Schließen vom Deckel) sind in den Lautsprechern hörbar. Die Bedienung (Tonarm mit Lift Aufsetzen und Abnehmen) erfordert Gefühl und Übung. Fazit: toller Klang, ein Klassiker für Fans, ein Hingucker im Wohnzimmer, Erinnerungen an Lenco, Thorens und Technics werden geweckt - frag Mal Google :-)

Este modelo de tornamesa es completísima, su calidad precio muy bueno. Solo comentar que tiene un sistema del ajuste del brazo lector muy difícil de ajustar pues el contrapeso no va roscado, tiene mucha dificultad en su configuración.