Fluance RT87 with Ortofon cartridge
Fluance
Fluance makes some of the best value turntables on the market, characterized by premium design elements at reasonable prices. The company’s RT85 (reviewed here) has long been a standout, offering a solid audio-grade MDF plinth, acrylic platter, 2-speed servo-controlled DC motor and a very nice Ortofon 2M Blue nude elliptical cartridge for $550. In 2022, a new variation on this flagship was offered (the RT85N) featuring a pre-installed Nagaoka MP-110 elliptical diamond cartridge. Today, Fluance is launching an all-new flagship, the RT87 Reference High Fidelity Dual-Plinth Turntable. The new model takes aim at audiophiles with a dual-plinth design, choice of two cartridges, a carbon fiber tonearm and a heavy acrylic platter.
Unlike digital music sources, turntables have a lot of moving parts. And those moving parts can generate noise, resonance and vibrations that are picked up by the cartridge. The result is a degradation of the sound the turntable produces. Manufacturers go to great lengths to reduce these issues. For example, the previous Fluance flagship turntables included features like a solid MDF plinth, vibration-reducing rubber spike feet and motors that are as isolated as possible within the constraints of the plinth.
Fluance RT87 dual-plinth design isolates the motor on the lower plinth
Fluance
A dual-plinth turntable design gets more extreme in the fight against vibration and electrical noise. The turntable uses two plinths instead of a single. The RT87’s lower plinth is used to house the motor. The upper plinth contains the components you would typically see and interact with: the platter, tonearm and cartridge. The upper plinth is separated from the lower by conical isolators, while the lower plinth utilizes rubber spike feet to protect against environmental vibration.
It’s not an approach that is frequently seen, but this adds a new level of isolation between the primary source of electrical noise and vibration, and the cartridge. According to Fluance, the dual-plinth design provides significant audio advantages for discerning record listeners:
“This physical separation helps reduce the transfer of motor-borne resonance and external vibration before it can reach the stylus, helping maintain accurate groove tracking and cleaner signal reproduction. Dense wood plinths further dampen mechanical resonance, producing a remarkably quiet acoustic background with greater instrument separation, imaging, and sonic depth.”
The RT87’s acrylic platter instead of aluminum helps to reduce static during record playback, while also contributing to a more convincing soundstage. In addition, the acrylic platter (which weighs 4.1 lbs compared to the 3lb platter used by the RT85) provides inertia while spinning–helping the motor to maintain absolutely constant speed.
Fluance is also offering a choice of cartridges with the RT87, each with its own signature sound. The Ortofon 2M Blue (a cartridge I use on two of my own turntables) is known for balanced sound, clarity, engaging soundstage and excellent tracking. The Audio-Technica AT-VM95ML has a reputation for delivering high frequency detail, low distortion in inner grooves and reduced surface noise.
The Fluance RT87 with Audio-Technica cartridge
Fluance
It’s worth noting that both of these cartridges typically retail for around $200 on their own, making them a solid offering on a turntable in this price range. Should you decide to upgrade to another cartridge of your choice, Fluance makes this as easy as possible with a removable headshell, adjustable vertical tracking angle (VTA) and an adjustable hanging-weight anti-skate system.
The RT87 is not aimed at casual record collectors (most will find the RT85 or RT85N more than meet their needs), but audiophile vinyl enthusiasts now have another choice. And in true Fluance fashion, the RT87 offers its premium features and design at a very competitive price.
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