Fluance RT82 review: The budget turntable star

Americans purchased nearly 50 million vinyl records in 2023, nearly 6 million more than CDs in the same year. Records have been making a comeback for years, but the vinyl renaissance is really in full swing now. Personally, I’ve been obsessed with vinyl records for over a decade, and it’s been so fun to see the hobby grow exponentially.

A record player is probably the most important part of a budding Hi-Fi enthusiast’s setup, and the Fluance RT82 is one of the best record players under $500 that I’ve had the pleasure of encountering.

I use the RT82 as my primary player and am very impressed. As an audiophile myself, I can confidently say that you don’t need to spend a large portion of your paycheck to get the most out of this desk.

Retro and modern design

Timeless modernity

The main quality of the RT82 record player comes from its high-quality MDF wooden base, which is available in a variety of gorgeous colors, such as Bamboo pictured above. This gives the table some weight and feels sturdy and well-constructed when moving or assembling. The wooden base sits atop shock-absorbing, vibration-isolating feet that are adjustable to ensure the record player is perfectly level before recording with the stylus. The overall design is minimalist, giving a timeless feel to a decidedly modern product.

The overall design is minimalist, giving a timeless feel to a decidedly modern product.

Apart from the RT82’s turntable, the smooth wooden finish is visually broken up only by three other core components. The first is a speed dial that allows the user to open and close the table, and in the process select a playback speed of 33 1/3 or 45 rpm. These two speeds will cover most vinyl collections, with most 12-inch records playing at 33 1/3 RPM and most 7-inch singles playing at 45 rpm, hence their nickname “45.”

The table doesn’t support the rare 78 RPM playback speed used on older records (usually pre-1950s), but that shouldn’t be a loss for any beginning vinyl collector. While many belt-driven tables in this price range require manual shifting, meaning the user must manually move the belt through a series of pulleys or positions to adjust the speed, the RT82 offers a simple knob.

Secondly, the pulley is fixed to the motor and is responsible for driving the belt that moves the RT82 aluminum disc. Finally, the table features an S-shaped tonearm, another rare sight for a record player in this price range. Because the S-shaped tonearm better mimics the natural curvature of the record groove, it improves tracking accuracy as the stylus remains straighter within the groove, thereby reducing tracking errors and distortion, thereby improving sound quality.

Functions and features

I got everything from $300

Despite its beautiful, stylish design, what impressed me most about this record player was its functionality—especially considering its $300 price. Some of the most notable desks on the market at this price point feature straight tonearms that require manual speed changes, or don’t even have truly adjustable counterweights like on the RT82. This adjustable weight makes it possible to adjust the tracking force (the force exerted by the tonearm on the stylus, and therefore the force exerted by the stylus on the record, measured in grams). Essentially, this means you can upgrade or replace your cartridges at any time.

Ability to replace ink cartridges Best choice for those who want to extend the life of their record player or upgrade their Hi-Fi setup. All premium turntables, such as the RT82, are compatible with a variety of cartridges, each with a different stylus type for a unique experience. Since certain stylus types are better suited to specific genres of music, avid vinyl collectors often have multiple stylus/cartridge assemblies to switch between. For example, I use more affordable cassette tapes and lower quality styli to play older, worn records to avoid premature wear on my higher quality records.

Stylus and soundstage

No leaks, scratches or omissions

I can’t say enough about how Fluance didn’t skimp on any single component of the RT82, and the stylus is no exception. The RT82 comes standard with the Ortofon OM 10 oval stylus, which itself costs $75. The stylus is the heart and soul of the sound produced by a record player. There are a lot of devices and parts you can swap out and go down a rabbit hole when it comes to your record player setup, but the stylus or cartridge you use for your desk is where it all starts. In my testing of the RT82, the desk produced great sound even when played through mid-range speakers, but much less when played through Hi-Fi-class bookshelf speakers.

The explosive percussion sounds of Michael Jackson’s “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin'” sound sharp and crisp on the RT82, and Justin Vernon’s collaboration with Taylor Swift The deep vocals on “Exile” are full and rich.

On my home speakers, the table produced a full, rich, warm vinyl record sound that is typical of a good oval cartridge. When playing well-pressed records, the instrument separation and full soundstage shined through and immediately sang with a distinct vinyl sound. From an audio quality standpoint, it suffers most at the crisper end of the high-frequency sound.

this TSS For a closed hi-hat (the upper register of a singer’s voice), these highs are less noticeable, but honestly, I don’t expect much from an elliptical cartridge in this price range. The explosive percussion sounds of Michael Jackson’s “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin'” sound sharp and crisp on the RT82, and Justin Vernon’s collaboration with Taylor Swift The deep vocals on “Exile” are full and rich.

While the RT82 does an excellent job of producing classic record sounds, I noticed a certain lack of detail in the higher frequencies compared to my everyday setup, though I attribute this mostly to the cost of the cassette tape Significant differences. For more detailed resonance and sound, you’ll want to use a MicroLine stylus, but that may cost more. That being said, thankfully, the RT82’s adjustable weight means you can swap cartridges when you’re ready for a compatible upgrade.

Conclusion: There are no better players at this price

With a suggested retail price of $300, the Fluance RT82 is indeed an excellent record player. There’s something very reassuring about the idea that every dollar is being spent on something absolutely important and useful. There are no superfluous features on this carousel, no gadgets you’ll never use, or features you’ll use once and then never again. It’s exactly what it should be, nothing more, it’s the best Hi-Fi record player you can build at this price point. This would be a great option for anyone looking to buy their first turntable, or looking to upgrade from an all-in-one dormitory record player in a suitcase.