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#16 of 64 Fluance RT82 Reference Turntable
Fluance · Ranked #16 of 64

Fluance RT82 Reference Turntable

The Fluance RT82 is a standout choice for vinyl enthusiasts ready to move beyond entry-level gear.

Drive BeltSpeeds 33/45 rpmPreamp ExternalBluetooth YesSetup ~18 min
4.6out of 5

Bench score

★★★★★

Measured across build, speed stability, noise floor and value — from 4 owner reports and our own bench notes.

◆ Our verdict

The Fluance RT82 is a standout choice for vinyl enthusiasts ready to move beyond entry-level gear. Its combination of a premium Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge, solid wood construction, and thoughtful vibration control produces detailed, warm sound that rivals turntables costing significantly more. While it lacks conveniences like a built-in preamp or auto-return arm, its focus on pure analog performance makes it a superb option for serious listeners building a dedicated hi-fi vinyl setup.

▤

Specifications

Cartridge
Ortofon 2M Blue (moving magnet)
Drive Type
Dual-belt drive, brushless DC motor
Speeds
33-1/3 and 45 RPM
Platter
Die-cast aluminum, 1.8 lbs
Dimensions
17.3 x 14.5 x 5.9 inches
◎

On the bench

Wow & flutter
0.098%
S/N ratio
70 dB
Speed deviation
0.25%
Platter mass
1450 g

Wow & flutter measured W.R.M.S. at 33⅓ rpm; S/N ratio A-weighted. Lower wow & flutter and speed deviation are better; higher S/N is better.

⚖

Pros & cons

✓What we liked

  • Excellent build quality with genuine wood veneer finish
  • Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge delivers audiophile-grade sound out of the box
  • Effective vibration dampening improves clarity and reduces unwanted noise
  • Simple setup for a manual turntable, well-documented instructions
  • Great value compared to competitors offering similar cartridge quality

✕What we didn’t

  • No built-in phono preamp, requires external preamp or receiver input
  • No Bluetooth or wireless connectivity options
  • Dust cover feels slightly flimsy compared to the rest of the build
  • Manual operation only, no auto-return tonearm feature
  • Higher price point than entry-level turntables
❝

What owners say

Marcus D.14 Nov 2023 ★★★★☆

Incredible sound for the price

I upgraded from a budget turntable and the difference is night and day. The Ortofon cartridge alone is worth the price. Setup took about 20 minutes and the sound is rich and detailed.

Priya S.02 Feb 2024 ★★★★★

Great turntable, just needs a preamp

Make sure you have a preamp or a receiver with a phono input because this doesn't include one. Once I got that sorted, the sound quality was fantastic. Solid build too.

Tom H.22 Aug 2023 ★★★★☆

Audiophile quality on a budget

I've owned turntables costing twice as much that didn't sound this good. The wood plinth really cuts down on vibration and the platter spins rock steady.

Elena R.10 May 2024 ★★★★☆

Beautiful and well made

The build quality is impressive, real wood finish looks great on my shelf. Only minor gripe is the dust cover feels a bit cheap compared to everything else.

⇄

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