Fluance RT80 & RT81 Turntables Preview

Fluance is dabbling into the audiophile market, first by unveiling their Signature Series speaker like with high end aspirations and now with two turntables.  That's right, Fluance wants you to spin vinyl with them and best of all, they are helping you do it affordably with the RT80 ($199) and RT81 ($249), respectively.

Engineered with only premium components, the high-fidelity, belt driven RT80 and RT81 are said to produce a pure analog listening experience that authentically recreates artists’ performances. The RT80 and RT81 play traditional LP and EP vinyl albums (33 1/3 or 45 RPM). Whether a user is dusting off a classic album from their parent’s collection, or discovering vinyl for the first time with Adele’s 25, Fluance’s new turntables will transport them through a stunning adventure down the sonic spectrum.

Backview of Fluance RT81 Turntable - Notice the RCA Connectors

We're happy to see Fluance incorporated RCA phono connectors instead of non removable cables of fixed length like so many turntables often do.  This will surely allow for better placement and installation flexibility.  We are equally happy that both turntables include covers to minimize dust build up.  So many higher priced turntables either charge you a premium for a cover or don't offer that option at all.

Audiophile Parts

The RT80 incorporates an AT91 Audio Technica stylus that is known to produce the rich sounds audiophiles associate with vinyl. Users will rest in the grooves of their favorite vinyl records at a mere 2.0 grams of tracking force. The slightly more advanced RT81 features an AT95E Audio Technica stylus. Both included styluses are renowned for their freedom from noise and distortion, clarity on musical peaks and channel balance.

Top View of Fluance RT80 Turntable with Audio  Technica Stylus

The balanced aluminum S-Type tonearm ensures the stylus is rested deep in the record’s groove, producing every audio detail indistinguishable from the original record and creating pristine playback. The fluid movement of the bearings within the tonearm, coupled with its advanced anti-skating system, caresses each record to conserve and protect a user’s beloved vinyl collection.

The RT80 and RT81 are crafted with Fluance’s proprietary audiophile-grade MDF wood cabinet, which incorporates isolation feet and a die-cast aluminum platter. This results in a significant reduction in reverberation, leaving listeners with pure stereophonic sound. The RT80 boasts a lightweight, hollow cabinet design, while the RT81 is built with a fully solid body cabinet to further eliminate vibrations.

Additional premium components include high-quality Texas Instruments preamp and gold plated RCA line outputs for captivating signal clarity, and a ground terminal that ensures warm, true sound.

Comparison of Features

The RT80 and RT81 are available now for pre-order on Kickstarter for $195 CAD/ $150 USD and $265 CAD / $200 USD, respectively.

Fluance expects to ship to backers and be fully available by May 2016 for $199 and $249 respectively. For more information, please visit Fluance's RT80 and RT81 Kickstarter page.

Join the vinyl movement on social media with the #RespectTheRecord hashtag. For more information on the RT81, RT81 and all of Fluance’s high-quality audio products, “like” Facebook.com/FluanceSpeakers and follow @Fluance.

About Fluance:
Fluance is a North American-based speaker brand that produces high-end home theater speaker systems. Established in 1999 and based in Niagara Falls, Ontario, it markets to both USA and Canada. Known for Serious Performance, Fluance prides itself on pushing cutting-edge technology to its limits based on five key aspects: Sound Quality, Solid Construction, Performance, Style, and Value while using only premium components in the construction of its speaker systems. Fluance encourages its customers to buy direct so they can provide their products at a price point well below those of its main competitors. Fluance Speakers can be purchased directly at www.Fluance.com.

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.