Fluance RT81 Plus Turntable – First Look

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All Image Credit: Fluance Audio

Fluance is a Canadian-based audio brand that produces high end Home Audio, Music Systems and High-Fidelity Turntables. Their latest belt drive turntable, the RT81+, is a cost effective vinyl replay solution that comes with; tonearm, cartridge, pre-amplifier and hinged dust cover. It is available in four finishes; Piano Black/White, Walnut and Matt White.

This latest design employs a 3lbs medium density fiberboard (MDF) wooden plinth which together with the three rubber adjustable isolation feet help to dampen and reduce the pickup of any unwanted vibrations and reduce resonances. Resonance and vibration control is extended to the damped 1.25lb aluminum platter that is topped off with the included 3mm acrylic mat. Driving the platter via a flat rubber belt is a DC motor that uses a three point rubber isolation with selectable speeds of 331/3 and 45RPM. The turntable also features a defeatable auto-stop feature.

The included static balanced S-type aluminum tonearm includes a built-in cueing lever and a detachable headshell for easy operation. It supports a moderate range of cartridge weights (0.12 to 0.23 oz) and provides both tracking weight and bias adjustments. The detachable headshell uses a standard H-4 bayonet mount and includes a pre-aligned Audio Technica: AT-VM95E moving magnet cartridge with a removable diamond elliptical stylus. It supports adjustments for zenith and overhang.

The built-in Texas Instruments RIAA phono preamplifier provides both a line level signal that can drive your favorite amplifier or active speakers directly or you can fully bypass the internal phono amplifier and use your own phono preamplifier. Rear panel signal connectivity is via a pair of gold plated unbalanced RCA sockets and a grounding lug.

Features At A Glance:

• Premium components allow this high-fidelity belt driven turntable to recreate the performance the way the artist intended.
• Three adjustable isolation feet, an acrylic mat with similar resonant frequency to vinyl, and a dampened aluminum anti-resonant platter, resulting in improved frequency response, enhanced imaging, and greater signal clarity.
• The next generation Audio Technica VM95E, featuring a diamond elliptical stylus, VM series upgradability, and greater frequency response. Mounted on a removable headshell for easier cartridge swapping.
• The finished plinth is crafted from solid engineered (MDF) wood which results in superior isolation from unwanted vibrations.
• Featuring a built-in Texas Instruments phono preamp, gold-plated RCA connections, and a ground terminal.

Specifications:

• Cabinet: MDF, Finish-High Gloss Black/White, Walnut or Matt White Real Wood Veneer, Dust Cover Yes – Tinted
• Turntable:
  • Belt Drive
  • DC Motor
  • Motor Isolation: Three Point Rubber Isolation
  • Speeds: 33 1/3 RPM, 45 RPM
  • Speed Variation: +/- 1.00%
  • Wow and Flutter: 0.2%
  • Signal-to-Noise Ratio: (Weighted)67dB or higher (A-weighted, 20kHz LPF)
  • Signal-to-Noise Ratio: (Unweighted)60dB or higher (unweighted, 20kHz LPF)
  • Platter: Dampened Aluminum
  • Diameter of Platter: 12″, 30 cm
  • Weight of Platter: 1.25 lbs (566 g)
  • Auto-Stop: Yes
  • Turntable Mat: Acrylic
• Tonearm:
  • Tonearm Type: Static Balanced, S-Type
  • Supported Cartridge Weight: 0.12 to 0.23 oz (3.5 to 6.5 g)
  • Counterweight: 3.53 oz (100 g) - Adjustable
  • Anti-skating Adjustment: Yes
  • Pivot Bearing: Yes
  • Cueing Lever: Yes
  • Tonearm Material: Aluminum
  • Tonearm Wire: 36 AWG Litz Cable / 7 Strand
  • Effective Tonearm Mass: 0.99 oz (28.2 g)
  • Overhang: 0.76 inches (19.2 mm)
  • Effective Tonearm Length: 8.82 inches (224 mm)
  • Headshell Mount: H-4 Bayonet Mount
  • Tonearm Height: 0.67 inches (17 mm)
• Cartridge:
  • Cartridge Type: Dual Moving Magnet (MM)
  • Cartridge Model: Audio Technica: AT-VM95E
  • Stylus: 0.3 x 0.7 mil Bonded Eliptical (Diamond)
  • Cantilever: Aluminum
  • Frequency Response: 20 – 22,000 Hz
  • Channel Separation: 20 dB at 1 kHz
  • Channel Balance: 2.0 dB or less at 1 kHz
  • Load Impedance/Capacitance: 47k Ohms – 100pF
  • Output Voltage: 4.0 mV (+/-3dB)
  • Recommended Tracking Force: 2.0g (+/-0.2g)
  • Vertical Tracking Angle: 23 degrees (Non-Adjustable)
• Output:
  • Connector: RCA (Gold-plated)
  • Phono Preamp: Yes
  • PHONO/LINE: Switchable
  • Phono Output: 4.0mV (+/-3dB)
  • Phono Bypass: Yes, all electronics bypassed when using external preamp
  • Line Output: 140mV (-17dBV)
• Power: Input 100 – 240 V AC (50/60 Hz), Output 12V / 500mA, Consumption 1.5 W
• General:
  • Dimensions: 5.5 x 16.5 x 13.75 inches / 14.0 x 41.9 x 34.9 cm (HxWxD)
  • Weight: 14.1 lb (6.4 kg)
• Included:
  • Dust Cover with hinges
  • Headshell with Audio Technica VM95E Cartridge
  • Acrylic Platter Mat
  • 45 Adapter
  • Bubble Level
  • 3ft RCA Cable With Ground Wire
  • 5ft 100V – 240V (50/60Hz) AC Power Adapter
  • User Manual
  • Lifetime Customer Support
  • 2 Year Manufacturer’s Warranty

MSRP:

• US: $299.99
• UK: £259.00

Purchase from Amazon US here.

For more information visit the Fluance Audio web site.

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