Let me tell you something wild. I've been collecting vinyl records for years now, and I've gone through my fair share of turntables. Budget models, mid-range setups, even some fancy ones that made my wallet cry. But recently, I got my hands on the Fluance RT87, and honestly? My inner audiophile is doing backflips.
So What's the Big Deal?
Here's the thing about record players — they're basically sophisticated vibration machines. Every tiny shake, every motor hum, every external rumble translates directly into your music. It's the enemy of clean, accurate sound. And most turntables at any price point are fighting that battle with just... hope and rubber feet.
The RT87 goes completely different route with what Fluance calls a dual-plinth design. Picture this: instead of one solid base, you've got two layers with a tiny gap between them, filled with rubber isolators. The motor and platter live on the bottom layer, while the tonearm sits on top, completely decoupled from all that mechanical chaos happening below.
Does it work? Chef's kiss. Even when I nudged the table it was sitting on while music played, there wasn't so much as a hiccup in the sound. No warbling, no distortion — just pure, clean audio.
Carbon Fiber: Not Just for Fancy Bikes
The tonearm is where things get really interesting. It's made of carbon fiber, which might sound like marketing fluff, but there's real science here. Carbon fiber gives you something beautiful: lightness combined with rigidity. The arm won't flex or wiggle during playback, which means the stylus tracks those grooves exactly as intended.
But wait — there's more! The RT87 also lets you adjust the VTA, or vertical tracking angle. This is the angle at which the needle meets your record. Most turntables lock this in, but here you can fine-tune it. Why does this matter? Because every record, every pressing, every groove depth is slightly different. Having that adjustability means you can optimize for your specific collection.
Speaking of Records...
I grabbed my copy of Billy Joel's The Stranger for testing (because honestly, what better album to judge audio quality on?). When "Movin' Out" started playing, something clicked. His piano sounded... present. Not muffled, not distant, just there in the room with me. The drums had punch. The guitar had warmth. And Billy's voice? It sounded like he was sitting right next to me, not through a speaker.
By the time we hit "Scenes From an Italian Restaurant," I was genuinely moved. I could pick out individual instruments clearly, but they also blended together perfectly. That's the sign of a great turntable — it reveals detail without becoming clinical or cold.
One Thing to Know Before You Buy
Here's my public service announcement for today: the RT87 doesn't have a built-in preamp. This might sound like a downside, but honestly? It's a blessing in disguise.
See, those integrated preamps in budget turntables are usually the first thing to compromise your sound quality. By requiring a separate preamp, Fluance lets you choose exactly how your audio chain sounds. You want warm and vintage? Get a tube preamp. Want pristine accuracy? Go solid-state. The choice is yours.
Just budget another $50-150 for a quality preamp if you don't already have one. Many receivers and powered speakers include one, so you might be all set already.
The Bottom Line
At around $800, the Fluance RT87 isn't what I'd call cheap. But compared to what it delivers? It's an absolute steal. The dual-plinth construction alone is something I've never seen in this price range. Add in the adjustable VTA, carbon fiber tonearm, and acrylic platter that doesn't need a separate mat, and you've got a turntable that punches well above its weight.
If you've been rocking a starter turntable and are ready to hear what your records really sound like, this might be your next upgrade. Just make sure you've got a good preamp waiting in the wings, and get ready to fall in love with your vinyl collection all over again.
Source: https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/a71852535/fluance-rt87-record-player-review