FLUANCE RT81+ Elite： THE BEST Turntable Under $300？
United States of Analog | February 13, 2024
🎙️ Early Video Analysis
What is this video about?
This video is a review of the Fluance RT81+ Elite turntable, which is priced at $299. The host is evaluating whether this is the best turntable available under $300 and examining its features, build quality, and value proposition for entry-level audiophiles.
What gear, products, or brands are discussed?
- Fluance RT81+ Elite turntable – $299, belt drive, built-in phono preamp, S-shaped tonearm with removable headshell, anti-skate knob, legitimate counterweight, speed adjustment switch, auto stop/auto on features, real wood veneer plinth, aluminum platter with resonance dampening
- Host’s $2,000 Mofi turntable – mentioned for comparison, lacks speed switch and auto features
- $100 outboard phono preamp – used as comparison for the built-in preamp quality
- SoundBurger turntable – described as collectible/fun but not a legitimate turntable at under $299
- JBL Spin – $399, reviewed previously and called “hot trash”
- Technics professional 1200 turntable – referenced for tonearm comparison
What are the host’s main opinions or takes so far?
- [00:00:00] Believes this is finally a legitimate turntable under $300 that “walks, talks, looks, sounds like a turntable”
- [00:01:20] Identifies the barrier to entry for new vinyl enthusiasts is between $200-$300
- [00:02:07] Impressed that the built-in phono preamp sounds almost as good as his $100 outboard unit
- [00:02:42] Thinks Fluance didn’t have to include so many premium features at this price point
- [00:03:06] Appreciates that it doesn’t look like a toy, unlike other budget options
Were there any strong recommendations or warnings to viewers?
- [00:03:14] Warning that the SoundBurger “is not really a legitimate turntable”
- [00:03:18] Strong negative opinion of the JBL Spin, calling it “hot trash”
What are the host’s main opinions or takes so far?
- [00:00:43] Explains he reviews many inexpensive turntables because: 1) he has to buy most gear himself, and 2) people seeking advice typically need entry-level options
- [00:01:31] If he talks about $500+ turntables, he’ll lose potential new hobbyists
- [00:01:51] Was “quite delighted” to audition this turntable
- [00:02:32] Notes his $2,000 Mofi lacks features this $300 turntable has
Provide a 3-paragraph summary of this portion:
Host Bob introduces his review of the Fluance RT81+ Elite turntable, positioning it as potentially the best option under $300. He explains his focus on budget turntables stems from two practical reasons: he purchases most review units himself, and his audience primarily consists of newcomers to vinyl who need entry-level guidance. He’s identified that the barrier to entry for new enthusiasts falls between $200-$300, beyond which potential buyers lose interest.
The RT81+ Elite impresses Bob with its extensive feature set at the $299 price point. Key features include a belt drive system, decent built-in phono preamp (comparable to his $100 outboard unit), S-shaped tonearm with removable headshell, anti-skate adjustment, legitimate counterweight, and speed switching. Notably, it includes auto-stop and auto-on features that his $2,000 Mofi turntable lacks, leading him to question whether Fluance is “shooting themselves in the foot” by including so many premium features at this price.
The build quality and design also earn Bob’s approval, featuring real wood veneer rather than the toy-like appearance of typical budget competitors. He contrasts it favorably against other sub-$300 options like the SoundBurger (fun but not legitimate) and the JBL Spin (which he previously reviewed as “hot trash” at $399). The turntable includes thoughtful touches like resonance-dampening materials in the aluminum platter, an acrylic platter topper, and extensive Fluance branding throughout, suggesting the company’s pride in the product.
⏱️ Mid-Video Analysis
Gear, products, or brands discussed:
- [00:05:18] Fluance RT81+ Elite turntable with VM95E cartridge
- [00:05:25] ATN3600 cartridge (found in toy/suitcase turntables)
- [00:05:35] Microline and Shibata stylus upgrades
- [00:05:58] Fluance RT85 turntable
Host’s key findings, verdicts, or opinions:
- [00:06:14] The turntable sounds good and the built-in phono preamp sounds good
- [00:06:24] Loves that there’s no Bluetooth feature, considers it incompatible with quality vinyl listening
- [00:06:46] Mixed feelings on the dust cover – sees it as adding manufacturing cost that could go elsewhere
- [00:07:07] Dust covers are “an inconvenience” and add unwanted resonance during playback
- [00:08:19] “This actually sounded pretty sweet in my system”
- [00:10:18] “This is a $300 turntable that is a good $300 turntable. End of story.”
Listening tests or sound quality observations:
- [00:08:31] Sound quality mainly attributed to the VM95E cartridge’s voicing
- [00:09:20] VM95E provides “some of the flavor” and “nuances of what we call hi-fi, what we call audiophile”
- [00:09:36] Sound profile: intense in mid-range, some highs lost, some lows rolled off
- [00:09:48] Overall assessment: “good hi-fi budget cartridge on a very good budget turntable”
Price/value assessments:
- [00:05:42] Upgrading to premium stylus would add $150-200, making it a $500 turntable
- [00:07:57] 1% speed variation acceptable for people seeking $200-300 turntables
- [00:10:06] Manages expectations about getting deals that sound much more expensive than they are
- [00:10:25] Concludes it’s “a good $300 turntable” at its price point
Comparisons to other gear:
- [00:05:25] VM95E compared favorably to ATN3600 found in “toy turntables, those suitcase turntables”
- [00:05:50] At $500 total cost with upgrades, suggests looking at RT85 or higher-end Fluance models instead
- [00:09:13] ATN3600 cartridge “may work for some people, but it doesn’t work for me”
Audiophile tips, advice, or how-to content:
- [00:05:02] Auto-start feature saves cartridge wear by stopping at dead wax
- [00:06:00] Recommends this turntable for those not planning to upgrade frequently
- [00:07:13] Remove dust cover during playback to avoid adding resonance
- [00:07:41] Alternative dust protection: “get a nice piece of silk scarf” from “your wife or your girlfriend’s closet”
- [00:08:13] 2-gram tracking weight won’t damage records or create sibilance
- [00:10:00] Emphasizes importance of “managing your expectations when it comes to hi-fi”
Memorable quotes or strong takes:
- [00:06:28] “Oh, by the way, there’s no Bluetooth in here, and I love that”
- [00:06:32] “You want vinyl because you want a richness and you want a clarity and you want detail. You’re not going to get that in a Bluetooth turntable”
- [00:07:35] Dust covers are “really a pain in the you know where”
- [00:10:15] “We all love to buy something that sounds like it’s 10, 20 times what we paid for it. That’s not always the case. It’s very rarely the case”
Summary:
The host details several key features of the Fluance RT81+ Elite, particularly praising its VM95E cartridge as a significant step up from the ATN3600 found in budget turntables. He appreciates the auto-start/stop functionality and built-in phono preamp, while strongly approving of the absence of Bluetooth connectivity, arguing that it would compromise the audio quality that vinyl enthusiasts seek. The cartridge can be upgraded to premium stylus options, though he advises against this due to cost considerations.
Sound quality observations focus heavily on the VM95E cartridge, which the host identifies as the primary driver of the turntable’s sonic character. He describes it as providing “some of the flavor” and “nuances” of hi-fi sound, though acknowledging limitations in the frequency extremes with rolled-off highs and lows while being intense in the midrange. Despite these limitations, he found the overall sound “pretty sweet” in his system and considers it a legitimate hi-fi budget option.
The host concludes with a realistic assessment of value, emphasizing the importance of managing expectations in hi-fi purchases. Rather than promising performance far beyond its price point, he straightforwardly characterizes it as “a good $300 turntable” – no more, no less. This honest evaluation, combined with practical advice about dust cover usage and upgrade paths, reflects his philosophy that buyers should have realistic expectations rather than hoping for miraculous performance-to-price ratios.
🏁 Final Thoughts & Verdict
What gear, products, or brands are discussed in this final portion?
- Fluance RT-81 Plus Elite turntable ($299) [00:10:30]
- SoundBurger turntable [00:10:36]
- JBL Spin turntable ($399) [00:10:37]
- U-turn turntables ($329 for comparable model) [00:10:14]
- Other Fluance turntables (higher-end models) [00:12:03]
What is the host’s final verdict or conclusion?
- [00:10:28] “This is best in its class. This is best in the under $300 class. I guarantee it.”
- [00:10:36] Claims it beats both the SoundBurger and JBL Spin at $399
- [00:10:46] “This is a turntable you can listen to all day and not feel guilty for what you paid”
- [00:10:25] States that U-turn “don’t make one as good as this for this price”
Were there any final recommendations — buy, skip, or consider?
- [00:11:39] “I highly recommend it if you’re getting into this vinyl game for the first time or you want an upgrade from the suitcase turntables”
- [00:12:03] “If you’ve got a few more bucks, go on up the Fluance line” for even better options
Any final tips, caveats, or advice for viewers?
- [00:10:43] “Just sit back and enjoy. Don’t try to analyze too much”
- [00:10:33] Challenges viewers to “Fight me in the comments below if you’ve got a better one”
How did the video wrap up?
- [00:11:56] Host mentions having an affiliate link available
- [00:12:08] Signs off with “And I’ll await you here in the United States of Analog”
- [00:12:12] Standard YouTube outro: “Thanks for watching. I’ll see you next time. And that’s a wrap.”
Any memorable closing quotes or strong final opinions?
- [00:10:32] “I guarantee it” (regarding best in class claim)
- [00:10:33] “Fight me in the comments below if you’ve got a better one”
- [00:10:40] Calls the JBL Spin pricing “Ridiculous”
- [00:11:52] “This has the upgrades. This has the look. The price is right.”
Summary
In this final portion of the review, the host delivers an emphatic endorsement of the Fluance RT-81 Plus Elite, declaring it unequivocally the best turntable under $300 and challenging viewers to prove him wrong. He positions it as superior to competitors including the SoundBurger and the more expensive JBL Spin at $399, while acknowledging that U-turn makes quality turntables but nothing comparable at this price point. The host emphasizes the turntable’s combination of features, build quality, and aesthetics that aren’t available elsewhere in this price range.
The recommendation is particularly strong for newcomers to vinyl or those upgrading from basic suitcase turntables. The host adopts a relaxed philosophy about the listening experience, advising viewers not to over-analyze and simply enjoy the music, describing it as a turntable you can listen to “all day and not feel guilty for what you paid.” He praises its visual appeal, solid construction, and thoughtful branding touches that won’t embarrass owners when displayed.
The video concludes with a clear call to action, mentioning an affiliate link while noting it doesn’t increase the cost for buyers, and suggesting that those with larger budgets explore Fluance’s higher-end offerings. The host maintains his confident, almost combative tone throughout the conclusion, backing up his recommendation with specific comparisons and a money-back guarantee of sorts on his opinion, creating a memorable and persuasive ending to the review.
Analysis generated from archived transcripts. Channel: United States of Analog — hi-fi gear reviews, vinyl, and audiophile culture.
