Fluance RT81+: When Simple Is Perfect
So, I wasn’t planning on reviewing another turntable. Again. But here we are. The Fluance RT81+ showed up, and I couldn’t resist. I reviewed the original Fluance RT81 and was genuinely impressed with what Fluance delivered for the price. Now, with the RT81+, they’ve made a few smart tweaks, nothing revolutionary, but enough to make me raise an eyebrow and clear some shelf space. So I declare, Fluance RT81+: When Simple Is Perfect!
At $299, it’s still budget-friendly, but does it earn that little “plus” in the name? Let’s find out.
Looks That Belong in a Living Room
Let’s get this out of the way: the RT81+ is a looker. Gloss walnut, black, or white, you pick your poison. Mine came in walnut, and while it’s not real wood, the finish is so convincing that no one’s going to question it. The gloss is clean, the lines are minimalist, and the whole thing just feels… intentional.
Often, we talk about “value,” and there is a tradeoff. It’s usually in fit and finish, with the most premium finish being reserved for the flagship models. Fluance doesn’t subscribe to that notion, and they make sure that all their turntables, from entry-level to high-end, look good!
There’s a satisfying heft to the plinth. It’s 14 pounds of MDF wrapped in style. It’s not just for show either. That weight helps dampen vibrations, which means better sound and fewer skips when your dog decides to reenact a stampede. I keep forgetting how heavy these units are until I pick one up to throw it in my test setup and listen to it.
The one nit pick I always have had about the “lower end” Fluance turntables is their ugly, simplistic feet. Not with the RT81+! It shares the same adjustable, and triangle shaped feet of the more expensive models. While it’s a minor change, I think it elevates the turntable just that little bit more!
What’s In The Box?
No unboxing theatrics here, just the essentials:
- Pre-mounted Audio-Technica AT-VM95E cartridge
- Aluminum platter with a 3mm acrylic mat
- Rubber belt (pre-installed)
- RCA cables, power adapter, 45RPM adapter
- Dust cover and a solid counterweight
Setup is straightforward. If you’ve ever assembled IKEA furniture, this will feel like a vacation. Setup took me less than five minutes. Granted, I have set up many turntables in the last few years, so I could do it while asleep.
What’s New (And What’s Not)
The RT81+ is a slight upgrade to the RT81. Fluance has spent a lot of time perfecting their turntables, so I don’t expect, or need, huge innovations from table to table. That said, there is enough new to be excited about. After all, we have had turntables for decades, so there is not much more new we could possibly do.
New Upgraded Cartridge
The RT81+ swaps out the discontinued AT95E for the AT-VM95E, and that’s a win. Not only is it a better tracker, but it also opens the door to six different stylus upgrades, from conical to Shibata. Want to tinker with your sound later? You can.
I know that doesn’t sound like a huge deal, but the fact that you can pop off the stylus and then choose another within that lineup? That’s a well-thought-out cartridge. Plus with the removable head shell, it allows you to have two cartridges on the go, if that’s you thing.
New Improved Platter Damping
The aluminum platter now includes extra damping material and an acrylic mat. Is it a game-changer? No. But it’s a thoughtful touch that helps reduce resonance and looks slick doing it. I have the Fluance RT85N as my main reference table, and one of the things I LOVED was the acrylic platter. It screams audiophile. The mat gives you all the same great looks at a much lower price.
For those that don’t know, vibrations are the enemy of vinyl. Any vibrations that make it from the floor to the needle will be transmitted. By adding extra damping, it adds another layer of vibration killing material. And the acrylic mat? While not really vibration absorbing, it kills static, which also transmits right to your speakers. Simple, but quality upgrades.
Same Great Simplicity
The rest is classic Fluance:
- Built-in phono preamp (with bypass)
- Auto-stop feature (platter stops, tonearm doesn’t lift)
- S-shaped aluminum tonearm with removable headshell
- Magnetic anti-skate and adjustable counterweight
All of these make for an easy pick for the new vinyl enthusiast, or someone who wants simple. I am not joking when I say that simple is perfect.
Performance: Easy Listening, Solid Pairings
I tried the RT81+ with a few different setups just to see how it handled real-world gear, not just the fancy stuff. First up was the WiiM Vibelink amp and SVS Ultra Evolution Nanos. That combo gave the turntable a bit more punch and low-end presence. The Nanos brought out a fuller sound, especially on bass-heavy tracks, while the Vibelink added a little extra power overall.
I also ran it through my Schiit Mani phono preamp, and yeah, it added some gain and gave things a little more pop. Not life-changing, but a noticeable difference, especially on older records that needed a bit more push.
But honestly? The most pleasant surprise was plugging the RT81+ straight into the Fluance Ri71 powered speakers. No extra boxes, no fuss, just connect and go. And it sounded great. Clear, and plenty loud for casual listening. This pairing is seriously ideal for anyone just getting into vinyl. It takes the guesswork out of everything and just works. If you do want a bit more low-end, the Ri71 comes with a subwoofer preamp output, so I can easily hook it directly to one of my SVS PB-1000 Pros!
If you’re starting and don’t want to mess with amps, cables, and preamps, the RT81+ and Ri71 are made for each other. Simple, solid, and a whole lot of fun.
Nitpick(s)
I have reviewed a lot of Fluance gear over the past couple of years. I admit that I have given glowing reviews to almost everything I have tried. There is a reason for that. Fluance makes solid gear that outperforms competitors that cost 2-3x more.
It’s hard to be critical of a turntable that looks good, performs well, and costs $299! I personally think that it lives up to my title, Fluance RT81+: When Simple Is Perfect! Simple is the name of the game and it does everything perfectly. No fuss, no muss!
Our Take
The Fluance RT81+ doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it just makes it spin a little smoother. For $299, you’re getting a turntable that looks great, sounds fantastic, and doesn’t require a degree in audio engineering to set up. It’s the kind of gear that makes you want to spin vinyl just a little more often.
If you’re new to vinyl or just want something that works without fuss, the RT81+ is a no-brainer. Simple really is perfect. The Fluance RT81+ is now my top pick for the every persons turntable.
Verdict: AV Gadget Approved
