Fluance RT80 turntable giveaway

Turntables are hot and it seems as though they’re getting more popular with every year. Who would have guessed that in this age of streaming music and digitally perfect audio files, vinyl records would make a comeback? Canadian audio company Fluance certainly had their finger on the pulse of record lovers, and they came out with a line of turntables that are perfect for everyone from beginners to budding audiophiles. You’ve probably heard about these, including the RT81 I reviewed a few years back (watch for a review of the all-new RT85 coming soon). If you’re into music on vinyl, today is your lucky day because Fluance is offering our readers the chance to win an RT80 belt-drive turntable!

What you need to know about the Fluance RT80

It’s worth taking a quick look at the specs for this turntable. Even though it is the company’s entry level model, I think the Fluance RT80 caught a lot of established audio brands off guard. It set a new bar for what vinyl collectors can expect from an affordable turntable and represents a real step up from the record players and beginner turntables many people start out with.

Key Specs:

  • Two speed, belt-drive
  • S-Type, aluminum, static balanced tonearm with adjustable counterweight
  • Audio Technica AT91 moving magnet cartridge included
  • Built-in pre-amp with gold plated RCA connectors
  • MDF cabinet with high gloss piano black finish, sound isolation feet
  • includes dust cover and RCA cables

Features I like about this turntable

In April I wrote a detailed guide on how to buy a record player. If you happen to read through that post, you will immediately notice that the RT80 checks off a lot of boxes in terms of things you should be looking for. That’s a big deal, especially in an entry level turntable. 

As I mentioned, I’ve spent considerable time with Fluance turntables and they all share a common design approach. So, I’m going to spike out a few features in particular that I like about the RT80.

Included cartridge is a solid choice

Fluance RT 80 turntable giveawayOne of the big moves Fluance made when it began to offer turntables, was to include cartridges that are far more expensive than the ones manufacturers typically include. That’s a big win for owners, because it means their records sound much better. In the case of the RT80, Fluance includes an Audio Technica AT91 cartridge, which typically retails in the $50 range.

I’m not going to name names, but I recently reviewed a turntable from a premium audio brand with a $700 U.S. MSRP. It came equipped with a cartridge that is a step down from the AT91 found on the Fluance RT80.

MDF plinth + aluminum platter

When you pick up a Fluance turntable, you’ll immediately notice that it is heavy. The RT80 weighs 5.0 kg (11 pounds). That’s a good thing! Many entry level turntables have a hollow plastic plinth and often a plastic or thin metal platter. They’re light. All Fluance turntables are designed around an audio-grade MDF (engineered wood) plinth, and the RT80 is equipped with a cast aluminum platter. The combination of dense and heavy materials isolates the stylus from vibration for better sound, and the heavy platter also means more consistent speed. 

Built-in preamplifier

Fluance includes a built-in Texas instrument preamplifier. That means you can connect the RT80 turntable to virtually any music system. Switch off the preamp and it can connect the traditional way to stereo amp or receiver with PHONO input. Or, use the RT80’s preamplifier to connect it to any mini stereo or portable speaker you wish—anything with an AUX input.

Fluance RT80 turntable giveaway

 

Easy setup

It’s also good to know that setting up the Fluance RT80 is relatively straightforward. You won’t need any tools, and you don’t need to do any advanced calibration like cartridge alignment—it basically amounts to putting the belt on and balancing the tonearm. And Fluance has a series of helpful videos online that can walk you through those steps in detail.

Whether you’re connecting it to an amplifier, receiver, or even a portable speaker, it shouldn’t take more than 15 or 20 minutes before you’re enjoying the analog audio of your record collection on the Fluance RT80 turntable.   

Upgradable 

Most entry level turntables get left behind when a record collector wants to move up to something better. Because the basics of this turntable are solid, it’s worth upgrading if you reach the point where you want to enhance your listening experience. Instead of having to shell out for a new turntable, you could significantly improve the RT80 through upgrades like a new stylus or even a new cartridge, a rubber platter mat or an acrylic platter.  

Fluance RT80 turntable giveawayHOW TO ENTER

After having tested over a dozen turntables in the past several years and spending extensive time with several Fluance models, I’ve told you why I like the Fluance RT80 turntable. For a chance to win the RT80, simply leave a comment below telling us the feature you like the most about it. It’s that easy! but remember, you can only enter once.

 

WHAT YOU CAN WIN

At the end of this contest we will draw one winner from all eligible entries to receive a new Fluance RT80 turntable.

This contest runs from May 31st to June 17th.

Win a Fluance Turntable Contest Rules and Regulations

Good luck!

We frequently have many contests running at Best Buy so check out the “contests in progress” page for more great contests to enter.
Brad Moon
Brad Moon
Editor Computing solutions
I’m a long-time electronics and gadget geek who’s been fortunate enough to enjoy a career that lets me indulge this interest. I have been writing about technology for several decades for a wide range of outlets including Wired, Gizmodo, Lifehacker, MSN, About.com, Kiplinger, and GeekDad. I’m in my 10th year as a senior contributor for Forbes with a focus on reviewing music-related tech, Apple gear, battery power stations and other consumer electronics. My day job is with the Malware Research Center at AI-native cybersecurity pioneer CrowdStrike.
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599 COMMENTS

  1. I love the fact that it’s upgradeable, because as a beginner/new to the world of turntables and vinyl, I like the idea that I’ll be able to build on this as a foundation as my knowledge and vinyl collection grows.

  3. I like the MDF plinth and aluminum platter!
    Nothing beats the solidly built turntables like the record players of old but this definitely looks to be as durable and stable.

  5. I like the feature of having an easy setup so we can quickly set up and start enjoying our old records. My boys were handed down boxes of records they haven’t been able to play.

  6. I love that it would be an easy set up–that’s a bonus on top of all the other features 🙂

  8. For me it’s the obvious commitment of Fluance to get audiophile features into a “regular Joe” pricepoint. From the materials used to the cartridge included, there was opportunities for Fluance to sacrifice performance to shave a few bucks. They didn’t. And that is rare and awesome.

  9. I like the S-Type, aluminum, static balanced tonearm with adjustable counterweight. It means that I will have better sound quality. I also like the pre amp.

  12. If there’s one thing I definitely like about this turntable it has to be the built-in preamplifier. Allowing me to connect it to a portable speaker is incredibly versatile.

  16. I like the ease of setup and the preamplifier to allow for easy integration into my sound system.

  18. I like that I wouldn’t need to upgrade the turntable and only need to add upgradable parts.

  20. OMG, My ’80s records need to come out of the attic for this baby. My favorite feature is the easy setup and that I can connect it to a portable speaker!!

  24. The feature I like the most is the fact that it’s so easily upgradeable keeping it always up to date. On top of this it looks sleek and really nice.

  25. Love the fact it has a Built in Preamplifier and can be connected to any music system.

  28. May favourite feature is the built-in preamplifier which you can also shut off. It’s great not to stress or worry about buying a whole new sound system, but also have the flexibility to use portable speakers if the need ever arose!

  29. I really enjoy it being up-gradable. Too many items these days have a smaller shelf life because once they hit their maximum you need to scrap it for a whole new system. Being able to upgrade little bits of it to keep the system working better and better is a huge plus for me.

  34. I think the inclusion of the high quality Audio Technica AT91 cart is a pretty sweet bonus to me!

  46. My favourite feature of the RT80, Fluance is that it includes an Audio Technica AT91 cartridge.

  47. I like the built-in preamplifier feature. This is a great feature because it provides a great sound. It is so clear and crisp.

  48. I believe the feature that really sticks out here is the built-in preamp. Such agreat feature for the modern worl of audio

  49. I love the built-in preamplifier because I can connect the it to any mini stereo or portable speaker.

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