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Audio perfection: discover the differences between fluance rt80 and rt82

Rob is a seasoned home improvement writer with over 15 years of experience researching and recommending products for the home. Prior to starting Nurturing Homeaid, he wrote extensively for This Old House magazine and has been featured as a home expert on several TV and radio programs. An avid DIY-er,...

What To Know

  • Turntables, once considered a relic of the past, have made a triumphant return, offering a unique and immersive listening experience that transports you back to the golden age of music.
  • The RT80 boasts a solid MDF plinth with a matte black finish, while the RT82 takes it up a notch with a premium walnut veneer that exudes sophistication and elegance.
  • If you’re looking for a high-quality turntable with a solid build and excellent sound quality at an affordable price, the RT80 is an excellent choice.

The world of audiophiles is vast and ever-evolving, with new advancements and technologies emerging constantly. Turntables, once considered a relic of the past, have made a triumphant return, offering a unique and immersive listening experience that transports you back to the golden age of music. Among the众多竞争对手, Fluance has established itself as a leading manufacturer of high-quality turntables that deliver exceptional performance at an affordable price. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the intricacies of two of Fluance’s most popular models, the RT80 and RT82, and determine which one emerges as the superior choice for discerning audio enthusiasts.

Design and Build Quality

The Fluance RT80 and RT82 share a similar design philosophy, featuring a sleek and minimalist aesthetic that complements any home décor. Both turntables are constructed from high-quality materials, ensuring durability and longevity. The RT80 boasts a solid MDF plinth with a matte black finish, while the RT82 takes it up a notch with a premium walnut veneer that exudes sophistication and elegance.

Cartridge and Stylus

At the heart of any turntable lies the cartridge and stylus, which are responsible for extracting the delicate vibrations from the vinyl record. The RT80 comes equipped with an Ortofon 2M Red cartridge, renowned for its accurate tracking and detailed sound reproduction. The RT82, on the other hand, features an upgraded Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge, which offers even higher levels of precision and clarity, capturing every nuance and subtlety of your favorite recordings.

Drive System and Speed Control

The drive system and speed control play a crucial role in ensuring stable and accurate playback. Both the RT80 and RT82 utilize a belt-driven design, which effectively isolates the platter from motor vibrations, resulting in reduced noise and improved sound quality. The RT80 employs a basic belt drive system, while the RT82 boasts a precision-engineered AC motor with electronic speed control, allowing for precise adjustment and consistent playback speed.

Platter and Mat

The platter is the rotating disc upon which the vinyl record sits. The RT80 features a lightweight aluminum platter, while the RT82 is equipped with a heavier acrylic platter. Acrylic platters are known for their excellent damping properties, which help to minimize resonance and provide a more stable playback surface. Both turntables come with a felt mat to protect the vinyl from scratches and reduce static electricity.

Tonearm and Anti-Skate

The tonearm is the delicate mechanism that holds the cartridge and stylus in place. The RT80 features a straight carbon fiber tonearm with an adjustable counterweight, providing precise tracking and minimizing distortion. The RT82 takes it a step further with an S-shaped carbon fiber tonearm, which offers improved tracking accuracy and reduced resonance. Both turntables incorporate an anti-skate mechanism to counteract the inward force exerted by the stylus on the record, ensuring accurate playback and preventing premature wear.

Connectivity and Features

The RT80 and RT82 offer a range of connectivity options to accommodate various audio setups. Both turntables feature built-in phono preamps, allowing you to connect them directly to your speakers or amplifier. The RT80 provides RCA outputs, while the RT82 offers both RCA and XLR outputs for balanced connections. Additionally, the RT82 includes a USB output for easy digital conversion of your vinyl collection.

Sound Quality

When it comes to sound quality, both the Fluance RT80 and RT82 deliver an exceptional listening experience. The RT80 produces a warm and detailed sound with excellent clarity and dynamics. The Ortofon 2M Red cartridge provides a balanced and engaging sound profile, making it a great choice for a wide range of music genres. The RT82, with its upgraded Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge, takes the sound quality to the next level. It offers a more refined and nuanced sound with improved stereo imaging and separation. The combination of the precision drive system and acrylic platter results in a highly accurate and immersive listening experience.

Which Turntable Is Right for You?

The choice between the Fluance RT80 and RT82 ultimately depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you’re looking for a high-quality turntable with a solid build and excellent sound quality at an affordable price, the RT80 is an excellent choice. However, if you’re seeking the ultimate listening experience with exceptional precision, clarity, and connectivity options, the RT82 is the clear winner.

Final Note: The Ultimate Choice

In the realm of affordable turntables, the Fluance RT80 and RT82 stand out as two of the best options available. While both turntables offer exceptional sound quality and features, the RT82 emerges as the superior choice for discerning audio enthusiasts who demand the highest level of performance. Its upgraded cartridge, precision drive system, and versatile connectivity options make it the ideal choice for those who seek an immersive and unforgettable listening experience.

Questions You May Have

Q1: What is the difference between the Fluance RT80 and RT82 cartridges?
A1: The RT80 features an Ortofon 2M Red cartridge, while the RT82 comes equipped with an upgraded Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge, which offers higher levels of precision and clarity.

Q2: Which turntable has better speed control?
A2: The RT82 boasts a precision-engineered AC motor with electronic speed control, providing more precise and consistent playback speed than the RT80’s basic belt drive system.

Q3: What type of platter does the RT82 have?
A3: The RT82 features a heavier acrylic platter, which offers excellent damping properties and provides a more stable playback surface than the RT80’s aluminum platter.

Q4: Does the RT80 have a USB output?
A4: No, the RT80 does not have a USB output. The RT82, however, includes a USB output for easy digital conversion of your vinyl collection.

Q5: Which turntable is better for a beginner?
A5: Both the RT80 and RT82 are suitable for beginners, but the RT80 is more affordable and easier to set up, making it a great choice for those new to the world of turntables.

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Rob Sanders

Rob is a seasoned home improvement writer with over 15 years of experience researching and recommending products for the home. Prior to starting Nurturing Homeaid, he wrote extensively for This Old House magazine and has been featured as a home expert on several TV and radio programs. An avid DIY-er, Rob takes pride in testing out the latest tools and gadgets to see how they can make home projects easier. When it comes to heating systems, he's evaluated over 50 different furnace and boiler models over the years. Rob founded Nurturing Homeaid with his business partner Jim in 2020 to provide homeowners with genuine product recommendations they can trust. In his free time, Rob enjoys remodeling old homes with his family and traveling to visit architectural landmarks across the country. He holds a bachelor's degree in Journalism from Syracuse University.
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