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expiredSmilingWinter1751 posted Nov 21, 2022 06:07 PM
expiredSmilingWinter1751 posted Nov 21, 2022 06:07 PM

Fluance RT81 Elite High Fidelity Turntable w/ Audio Technica AT95E Cartridge

+ Free Shipping

$212

$250

15% off
Amazon
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Fluance Audio via Amazon has Fluance RT81 Elite High Fidelity Vinyl Turntable w/ Audio Technica AT95E Cartridge (Various Finishes) on sale for $211.96. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Community Member SmilingWinter1751 for posting this deal.

Note, item must be sold by Fluance Audio and fulfilled by Amazon.

Available Options:Key Features:
  • Premium components allow this high fidelity belt driven turntable to recreate the performance the way the artist intended
  • The Audio Technica AT95E featuring a diamond elliptical tipped stylus is designed to track your record grooves with greater precision & accuracy for high definition audio
  • Enjoy perfect playback using the balanced aluminum S-Type tonearm ensuring the stylus is rested deep in your record's groove, producing every audio detail indistinguishable from the original recording
  • Revel in the gorgeously crafted cabinet with real wood finish and a highly precise metal platter with adjustable resonance damping feet, ensuring superior isolation from unwanted micro-vibrations
  • Incorporating a high quality built-in Texas Instruments preamp, ground terminal and gold plated RCA line outputs that ensures warm, true sound

Editor's Notes

Written by Corwin | Staff
  • About this deal:
    • This is priced $38.03 lower (15% savings) than the list price.
    • Refer to the forum thread for discussion of this deal.
  • About this product:
    • Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars at Amazon based on over 2,500 customer reviews
  • About this store:
    • Seller Fluance Audio has 98% positive lifetime feedback based on over 3,000 customer reviews.
    • View Amazon return policy here.
    • Don't have Amazon Prime? Students can get a free 6-Month Amazon Prime trial with free 2-day shipping, unlimited video streaming & more.
    • If you're not a student, there's also a free 1-Month Amazon Prime trial available.

Original Post

Product Info
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Product Info
Community Notes
About the Poster
Fluance Audio via Amazon has Fluance RT81 Elite High Fidelity Vinyl Turntable w/ Audio Technica AT95E Cartridge (Various Finishes) on sale for $211.96. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Community Member SmilingWinter1751 for posting this deal.

Note, item must be sold by Fluance Audio and fulfilled by Amazon.

Available Options:Key Features:
  • Premium components allow this high fidelity belt driven turntable to recreate the performance the way the artist intended
  • The Audio Technica AT95E featuring a diamond elliptical tipped stylus is designed to track your record grooves with greater precision & accuracy for high definition audio
  • Enjoy perfect playback using the balanced aluminum S-Type tonearm ensuring the stylus is rested deep in your record's groove, producing every audio detail indistinguishable from the original recording
  • Revel in the gorgeously crafted cabinet with real wood finish and a highly precise metal platter with adjustable resonance damping feet, ensuring superior isolation from unwanted micro-vibrations
  • Incorporating a high quality built-in Texas Instruments preamp, ground terminal and gold plated RCA line outputs that ensures warm, true sound

Editor's Notes

Written by Corwin | Staff
  • About this deal:
    • This is priced $38.03 lower (15% savings) than the list price.
    • Refer to the forum thread for discussion of this deal.
  • About this product:
    • Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars at Amazon based on over 2,500 customer reviews
  • About this store:
    • Seller Fluance Audio has 98% positive lifetime feedback based on over 3,000 customer reviews.
    • View Amazon return policy here.
    • Don't have Amazon Prime? Students can get a free 6-Month Amazon Prime trial with free 2-day shipping, unlimited video streaming & more.
    • If you're not a student, there's also a free 1-Month Amazon Prime trial available.

Original Post

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Deal Score
+30
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Model: Fluance RT81 Elite High Fidelity Vinyl Turntable Record Player with Audio Technica AT95E Cartridge, Belt Drive, Built-in Preamp, Adjustable Counterwei

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Top Comments

bogoman
327 Posts
81 Reputation
It looks like the differences are cartridge (AT91 on RT80 table vs. AT95 on RT81) and mat (felt on RT80 vs. rubber on RT81.) Specs (wow/flutter and s/n) look to be the same. The price difference between an AT95E and AT91 was about $20 (at msrp.) Not sure what price difference would be between felt vs. rubber. It's a matter of taste, but I often prefer felt mats to rubber. Finish on RT80 is limited to black only while this RT81 is walnut. I think both are attractive. I'd advise those new to vinyl to get a table that won't destroy your vinyl (neither of these will) and listen to the music rather than worry about minor differences in entry-level tables/cartridges. Life's more fun that way. I've been playing vinyl since the early 1960s and have had a lot of turntables. A few of them sucked (and were detrimental to vinyl) but most were enjoyable. I currently enjoy my vintage Thorens tables a lot (along with a Dual and some higher-end Sony and Pioneer.) Even my bottom-end Technics decks are still fun.
ShrewdNarwhal844
183 Posts
58 Reputation
Apps like this: https://play.google.com/store/app...n_US&gl=US

Get a roll of duct or electrical tape, center it on the platter, put your phone on top of that, and let it spin. Those apps are a godsend. I haven't had to mess with a strobe mat in years now.
ShrewdNarwhal844
183 Posts
58 Reputation
Honestly, they're pretty comparable. The big differences are whether you want auto start and return. The LP3 you can put a record on the platter and, as long as you have the speed and size set correctly, just hit "Start" and it'll play your record, then reset the tonearm back when it's done. The Fluance has no auto start or auto return, though it does have an auto stop feature, so when you get to the end of a record, the platter will stop spinning.

Other than that, they've both got adjustable counterweights, anti-skate, universal fit headshells, defeatable preamps, and rubber platter mats. The needle on the Fluance is a little better than the one on the AT, but the ATN91r on the LP3 will generally last three times as long, so I'd call it a wash.

Me, I like S shaped tonearms and I wouldn't use auto-start and stop, so I say the Fluance is better. In the real world, they're both fine tables, and I doubt you'd regret purchasing either.

38 Comments

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Nov 21, 2022 10:51 PM
473 Posts
Joined Nov 2010
ZuirchNov 21, 2022 10:51 PM
473 Posts
Is this a better deal than the RT80 for $170 a few weeks ago? I got in on the RT80, but can return it and get this instead.
Nov 22, 2022 12:10 AM
10 Posts
Joined Oct 2021
FeistyMallard583Nov 22, 2022 12:10 AM
10 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank FeistyMallard583

Quote from Zuirch :
Is this a better deal than the RT80 for $170 a few weeks ago? I got in on the RT80, but can return it and get this instead.
Definitely worth exchanging for the RT81, just the ATN95E Cartridge makes up for the price difference. The RT81 is a more sturdy weighing 14lbs as opposed to 11lbs for the RT80. Personaly I think the walnut model looks better than the black one.
1
Nov 22, 2022 12:53 AM
327 Posts
Joined Jun 2008
bogomanNov 22, 2022 12:53 AM
327 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank bogoman

Quote from Zuirch :
Is this a better deal than the RT80 for $170 a few weeks ago? I got in on the RT80, but can return it and get this instead.
It looks like the differences are cartridge (AT91 on RT80 table vs. AT95 on RT81) and mat (felt on RT80 vs. rubber on RT81.) Specs (wow/flutter and s/n) look to be the same. The price difference between an AT95E and AT91 was about $20 (at msrp.) Not sure what price difference would be between felt vs. rubber. It's a matter of taste, but I often prefer felt mats to rubber. Finish on RT80 is limited to black only while this RT81 is walnut. I think both are attractive. I'd advise those new to vinyl to get a table that won't destroy your vinyl (neither of these will) and listen to the music rather than worry about minor differences in entry-level tables/cartridges. Life's more fun that way. I've been playing vinyl since the early 1960s and have had a lot of turntables. A few of them sucked (and were detrimental to vinyl) but most were enjoyable. I currently enjoy my vintage Thorens tables a lot (along with a Dual and some higher-end Sony and Pioneer.) Even my bottom-end Technics decks are still fun.
2
Nov 22, 2022 01:52 AM
43 Posts
Joined Nov 2018
PhilipM3930Nov 22, 2022 01:52 AM
43 Posts
15% off is decent but I hope something bigger comes. Know if Amazon does the whole "lowest price in 30 days" thing for all products? I noticed it didn't have that indicator.
Nov 22, 2022 03:23 PM
238 Posts
Joined Jul 2014
abillmannNov 22, 2022 03:23 PM
238 Posts
Question regarding belt drives like this that DON'T have a strobe: How do you know they're running true to speed?
Nov 22, 2022 04:51 PM
183 Posts
Joined Jun 2019
ShrewdNarwhal844Nov 22, 2022 04:51 PM
183 Posts
Quote from Zuirch :
Is this a better deal than the RT80 for $170 a few weeks ago? I got in on the RT80, but can return it and get this instead.
It's essentially the same table. The plinth (The wood that everything sits on) is heavier, you get a rubber mat instead of a felt one, and you get an ATVMN95E needle instead of an ATN91. The motor, the arm, the belt, the platter, are all the same.

It's up to you, really. Elliptical needles like the ATVMN95E really do sound better on a decent system than Conicals like the ATN91 sometimes, but I find that really depends on the type of music you listen to. Ellipticals also only last like 300 hours as opposed to around 1000 for a Conical. Also, as with all Fluance tables, the headshell is replaceable, so you can literally get another headshell with an elliptical needle and keep it for specific types of music. That's what I do.

They're both great tables, and the real life differences between them, especially if you're a newbie, are minimal, at best.
Nov 22, 2022 04:53 PM
183 Posts
Joined Jun 2019
ShrewdNarwhal844Nov 22, 2022 04:53 PM
183 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank ShrewdNarwhal844

Quote from abillmann :
Question regarding belt drives like this that DON'T have a strobe: How do you know they're running true to speed?
Apps like this: https://play.google.com/store/app...n_US&gl=US

Get a roll of duct or electrical tape, center it on the platter, put your phone on top of that, and let it spin. Those apps are a godsend. I haven't had to mess with a strobe mat in years now.
1

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Nov 22, 2022 05:34 PM
238 Posts
Joined Jul 2014
abillmannNov 22, 2022 05:34 PM
238 Posts
Quote from ShrewdNarwhal844 :
Apps like this: https://play.google.com/store/app...n_US&gl=US [google.com]

Get a roll of duct or electrical tape, center it on the platter, put your phone on top of that, and let it spin. Those apps are a godsend. I haven't had to mess with a strobe mat in years now.
Wow -- had no idea that even existed. Thank you!
Nov 22, 2022 06:08 PM
604 Posts
Joined Aug 2007
LuckyLyndyNov 22, 2022 06:08 PM
604 Posts
Quote :
Ellipticals also only last like 300 hours as opposed to around 1000 for a Conical.
I never knew this! Thank you, ShrewdNarwhal. I learn something everyday.Applause

I have also read that the elliptical stylus goes deeper into the record groove for better information retrieval. Is that nerdy enough?Cool
Nov 22, 2022 06:57 PM
24 Posts
Joined Dec 2017
CraigH3462Nov 22, 2022 06:57 PM
24 Posts
This or the Audio-Technica AT-LP3 at $179.00 from Adorama?

Any suggestions?
Nov 22, 2022 07:12 PM
183 Posts
Joined Jun 2019
ShrewdNarwhal844Nov 22, 2022 07:12 PM
183 Posts
Quote from LuckyLyndy :
I have also read that the elliptical stylus goes deeper into the record groove for better information retrieval. Is that nerdy enough?
It's true! And if you listen to a lot of quiet acoustic music, orchestral stuff, things with a wide dynamic range, I think it's totally worth it to use an Elliptical, at least sometimes. I do, and I love it for that. When I put on my Ramones records at full blast? I just use a cheap bog standard ATN91 Clone. That's one of the things I love about the Fluance tables and the switchable headshell, I can make the switch in about 30 seconds.
1
Nov 22, 2022 07:20 PM
638 Posts
Joined Dec 2010
sinvayneNov 22, 2022 07:20 PM
638 Posts
Picked this up on Amazon back in October for the same price. Just started getting into records and this is my first record player. So far I have no complaints about it. Easy setup. Sounds good.
Nov 22, 2022 07:23 PM
183 Posts
Joined Jun 2019
ShrewdNarwhal844Nov 22, 2022 07:23 PM
183 Posts
Quote from CraigH3462 :
This or the Audio-Technica AT-LP3 at $179.00 from Adorama?

Any suggestions?
Honestly, they're pretty comparable. The big differences are whether you want auto start and return. The LP3 you can put a record on the platter and, as long as you have the speed and size set correctly, just hit "Start" and it'll play your record, then reset the tonearm back when it's done. The Fluance has no auto start or auto return, though it does have an auto stop feature, so when you get to the end of a record, the platter will stop spinning.

Other than that, they've both got adjustable counterweights, anti-skate, universal fit headshells, defeatable preamps, and rubber platter mats. The needle on the Fluance is a little better than the one on the AT, but the ATN91r on the LP3 will generally last three times as long, so I'd call it a wash.

Me, I like S shaped tonearms and I wouldn't use auto-start and stop, so I say the Fluance is better. In the real world, they're both fine tables, and I doubt you'd regret purchasing either.
Nov 22, 2022 07:53 PM
117 Posts
Joined Aug 2009
realculNov 22, 2022 07:53 PM
117 Posts
Quote from ShrewdNarwhal844 :
It's true! And if you listen to a lot of quiet acoustic music, orchestral stuff, things with a wide dynamic range, I think it's totally worth it to use an Elliptical, at least sometimes. I do, and I love it for that. When I put on my Ramones records at full blast? I just use a cheap bog standard ATN91 Clone. That's one of the things I love about the Fluance tables and the switchable headshell, I can make the switch in about 30 seconds.
Can you recommend a starter kit. Have been wanting to get a turntable for a while. So you get this and connect it to a Bluetooth speaker or a home theatre system?

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Nov 22, 2022 08:14 PM
183 Posts
Joined Jun 2019
ShrewdNarwhal844Nov 22, 2022 08:14 PM
183 Posts
Quote from realcul :
Can you recommend a starter kit. Have been wanting to get a turntable for a while. So you get this and connect it to a Bluetooth speaker or a home theatre system?
You really don't need much in addition to the turntable. This particular Fluance has a built-in Preamp, you so you can run it to pretty much anything with an analog input.

If you have a Home Theater setup already, check out what kind of inputs you have on the soundbar or receiver. The Fluance has a standard set of Red and White RCA jacks on the back of the turntable, and those are what you'll use to connect it. If your existing setup has a matching set of red and white input jacks, you're ready to go. Connect the Turntable to the sound system with RCA cables, make sure the Preamp switch on the turntable is set to on, and you should be good. If you have other types of inputs, you're probably able to hook the two together, you just need an adapter of one sort or another.

If you don't have anything with speakers right now, simplest way to go about it is to buy something like this: https://smile.amazon.com/Moukey-B...B08NDKW795

Those are powered speakers, which means they have their own amplifier on board. Again, make sure the preamp switch on the turntable is set to On, connect the red and white jacks on the back of the turntable to the red and white input jacks on the speakers, and you're ready to go.

Any set of powered speakers will work, the Moukeys are just an example, though I've heard very good things about them. Just don't buy passive speakers, or else you need an amplifier too, which is a slightly more complicated setup.

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