Great review, thanks so much for doing it. I think as a person gets older, I'm 68, the Ortofon Blue would sound better because we are losing are upper frequency hearing as we age thus the Blue being more brighter will sound better for older people. My only hesitation for buying the Fluance RT85 is that pesky no VTA, I heard what you said and I agree to some extent, I have an old Empire TC400 that sounds amazing with old classic rock music, and I would like to be able to swap that in once in awhile, but the VTA thing could prevent that. Regardless of that nonsense I just mentioned, my eye is now on the NAD C588 only because of that damn VTA that the Fluance doesn't have. The C588 is made by Project with NAD specs, it's wow and flutter is .001 vs .007 for the Fluance, but the C588 comes with Ortofon Red, but it also has a carbon fiber tone arm...argh.
Great information! I have a RT85N already shipping to me, and can't wait to try it out. I had no idea about the differences in longevity of the two cartridges. With the Ortofon lasting almost 3x longer 0_0. It's the second time I've heard about the static issue with the MP-110, crossing my fingers I don't have the same with mine. I went with the 85N version because I tend to be very treble sensitive, and prefer a warmer sound. Thanks for the informative video..
Thank you for this video. I am planning to upgrade my turntable and these two Fluance turntables are on my short list. This was very informative and helpful.
Nice video on your turntable setup! I disagree with you about the Rega table though I have a a Rega 3 and it’s improved my sound quality greatly Rega sells a accessory that hooks up to the table that changes speeds without lifting the platter It’s worth the money to get that!! I don’t change cartridges to play used records The exact cartridges work well
I bought my RT-84 back in May 2021, i enjoy the Heck out of it! I can always upgrade the cartridge, but im still loving the blue! I usually play one record an evening, and still haven't had to change the stylus (1 album a day 30 -60 minutes an album its still under 2000 hours)!
I have the RT-82 and added the MP-110 to it. i didnt tweak any of the tone arm, i am a nube, been into vinyl for maybe 18 months after getting a vintage Garrard 5-300. >> not sure what the overall effect of that 1mm height difference will be ??
@@billyleroux I have the Ortofon Black on my RT85 & it works fine. Anyone wondering about the Blue to Black difference - It's night & day. The Black is unbelievably fantastic. Well worth every penny.
@Mark001-1 very interesting. I wonder why Fluance in their FAQ's ( buried in the support pages that pop up AFTER you send in a support question) states that the bronze & black are " not compatible".. I saw on another TH-cam video that even though the VTA's are the same, the differences in styli need to be dialed in...
@bellisariosonic thanks for the reply! I had a sl1200 mk2 but had to sell her a while back (bills needed to to paid). Looking at the usdd market for a 1200, and it's ridiculous what the asking prices are. Looked at vintage turntables as well and found they're a crap shoot because who kmows if they've been properly serviced. Comparing new DD turntables to the fluance, i found that i dont need all the dj hardware as I am not a dj. Just want to let the misic play. Like you, i also have a schiit mani (2) pairing with my yahama a-s701 amp into a pair of wharfedale 12.2 diamonds
with the blue vs naga. each i guess sounds better with different styles of music / taste (precision vs warmth). when you added the mp200 stylus, did you just end up with a 2mblue clone or was it as detailed as the blue but still retained the warmth ? i am trying to decide whether to have both, electronic/modern with the blue and blues/jazz/vocals on the naga.
I listen to a lot of Jazz. After listening to both for awhile, and swapping them on the same turntable (RT85) the Blue is a bit brighter sounding maybe a touch more detail. I think the 200 is a bit warmer and on a few records sounded better. I still prefer the Blue, but the mp200 stylus has a nice sound. The Blue will last much longer. It is all personal preference and I think both are decent.
Thanks for posting this. I'm wrestling with the 85 vs. 85N question myself. It sounds to me like you're saying that the Ortofon Blue will be the better choice with tube amplification. Is that correct? I have a Dynaco PAS3x, ST-70, Klipsch Forte 2 setup.
For me, the Ortofon Blue is a better cartridge overall. If you get the 85N, I recommend upgrading to the MP200. Also, the Blue lasts much longer so it doesn't have to be replaced as often.
I've looked into them. The model closest to the RT85 is $50.00 more and comes with the Ortofon Red, a step down from the blue. It also doesn't have the bayonet headshell which I like. Other than that it looks like a decent turntable for the price.
@@bellisariosonic Yeah I’ve seen they are a bit more expensive for a comparable table. Just was curious if sonically they offer an improvement. Truly appreciate you taking the time to respond back and also appreciate your great review. Have a terrific day.
I'm looking at the $500 price point. Fluance RT85 and RT85N. I have some Klipshch R51pm speakers with a pre-amp. Can I hook these turntables directly to my speakers? Or do I still need a pre-amp between the turntable and speakers?
Nagaoka is overpriced! The ortofon 2m blue is a nude elliptical stylus compared to the bonded elliptical of the Mp110. I would stay away from the Rt85 altogether, get the rt82 with acryllic platter and the vm540ml and you have a wonderful entry level turntable that will be better than the Rt85 for less.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I will definitely get the RT 85 with the Ortofon blue.
Thanks, Daniel, please come back by and let me know how you like it after you get it! Enjoy.
Great review, thanks so much for doing it.
I think as a person gets older, I'm 68, the Ortofon Blue would sound better because we are losing are upper frequency hearing as we age thus the Blue being more brighter will sound better for older people.
My only hesitation for buying the Fluance RT85 is that pesky no VTA, I heard what you said and I agree to some extent, I have an old Empire TC400 that sounds amazing with old classic rock music, and I would like to be able to swap that in once in awhile, but the VTA thing could prevent that.
Regardless of that nonsense I just mentioned, my eye is now on the NAD C588 only because of that damn VTA that the Fluance doesn't have. The C588 is made by Project with NAD specs, it's wow and flutter is .001 vs .007 for the Fluance, but the C588 comes with Ortofon Red, but it also has a carbon fiber tone arm...argh.
Great information! I have a RT85N already shipping to me, and can't wait to try it out. I had no idea about the differences in longevity of the two cartridges. With the Ortofon lasting almost 3x longer 0_0. It's the second time I've heard about the static issue with the MP-110, crossing my fingers I don't have the same with mine. I went with the 85N version because I tend to be very treble sensitive, and prefer a warmer sound. Thanks for the informative video..
Just got the N.. waiting for it.. I already have a Nag 200 that Ill swap out.. I like the Nagoaka sound.
Excellent comparison and troubleshoot. Thank you. I'll be buying the RT85 tomorrow. Hoping for a BF discount.
Thank you for this video. I am planning to upgrade my turntable and these two Fluance turntables are on my short list. This was very informative and helpful.
Nice video on your turntable setup! I disagree with you about the Rega table though I have a a Rega 3 and it’s improved my sound quality greatly Rega sells a accessory that hooks up to the table that changes speeds without lifting the platter It’s worth the money to get that!! I don’t change cartridges to play used records The exact cartridges work well
I bought my RT-84 back in May 2021, i enjoy the Heck out of it! I can always upgrade the cartridge, but im still loving the blue! I usually play one record an evening, and still haven't had to change the stylus (1 album a day 30 -60 minutes an album its still under 2000 hours)!
You may want to look up average lifespan of the stylus so you do not damage your records.
I have the RT-82 and added the MP-110 to it. i didnt tweak any of the tone arm, i am a nube, been into vinyl for maybe 18 months after getting a vintage Garrard 5-300.
>> not sure what the overall effect of that 1mm height difference will be ??
Thinking of putting a bronze on my 85.
If you do please let me know how it sounds. I've been wondering how much better it would sound.
Yes I would be interested to hear how that goes also, I was thinking of upgrading my RT85 to the bronze also.
Bronze & Black not compatible per Fluance...
@@billyleroux I have the Ortofon Black on my RT85 & it works fine.
Anyone wondering about the Blue to Black difference - It's night & day. The Black is unbelievably fantastic. Well worth every penny.
@Mark001-1 very interesting. I wonder why Fluance in their FAQ's ( buried in the support pages that pop up AFTER you send in a support question) states that the bronze & black are " not compatible".. I saw on another TH-cam video that even though the VTA's are the same, the differences in styli need to be dialed in...
Im seriously considering the rt82 adding the acrylic platter as i already have a Ortofon 2m blue
@@12_inch_spinnerzthat would be a good option considering you the cartridge already.
@bellisariosonic thanks for the reply! I had a sl1200 mk2 but had to sell her a while back (bills needed to to paid). Looking at the usdd market for a 1200, and it's ridiculous what the asking prices are. Looked at vintage turntables as well and found they're a crap shoot because who kmows if they've been properly serviced. Comparing new DD turntables to the fluance, i found that i dont need all the dj hardware as I am not a dj. Just want to let the misic play.
Like you, i also have a schiit mani (2) pairing with my yahama a-s701 amp into a pair of wharfedale 12.2 diamonds
I love the look of the hunters lol
Also for the fluance, you can remove the dust cover easily before play!😊
with the blue vs naga. each i guess sounds better with different styles of music / taste (precision vs warmth). when you added the mp200 stylus, did you just end up with a 2mblue clone or was it as detailed as the blue but still retained the warmth ? i am trying to decide whether to have both, electronic/modern with the blue and blues/jazz/vocals on the naga.
I listen to a lot of Jazz. After listening to both for awhile, and swapping them on the same turntable (RT85) the Blue is a bit brighter sounding maybe a touch more detail. I think the 200 is a bit warmer and on a few records sounded better. I still prefer the Blue, but the mp200 stylus has a nice sound. The Blue will last much longer. It is all personal preference and I think both are decent.
@@bellisariosonic thanks a bunch
When it becomes time to change the Ortofon Blue, it will look amazing with a Concorde cartridge! Something to look forward to. :D
@@globusdiablo aren’t those more dj cartridges? Which one would you get that would be an improvement over the Blue?
Thanks for posting this. I'm wrestling with the 85 vs. 85N question myself. It sounds to me like you're saying that the Ortofon Blue will be the better choice with tube amplification. Is that correct? I have a Dynaco PAS3x, ST-70, Klipsch Forte 2 setup.
For me, the Ortofon Blue is a better cartridge overall. If you get the 85N, I recommend upgrading to the MP200. Also, the Blue lasts much longer so it doesn't have to be replaced as often.
Having TT without an adjustable tonearm problems
Have you ever had any experience with U turn turntables? Just curious.
I've looked into them. The model closest to the RT85 is $50.00 more and comes with the Ortofon Red, a step down from the blue. It also doesn't have the bayonet headshell which I like. Other than that it looks like a decent turntable for the price.
@@bellisariosonic Yeah I’ve seen they are a bit more expensive for a comparable table. Just was curious if sonically they offer an improvement. Truly appreciate you taking the time to respond back and also appreciate your great review. Have a terrific day.
I'm looking at the $500 price point. Fluance RT85 and RT85N. I have some Klipshch R51pm speakers with a pre-amp. Can I hook these turntables directly to my speakers? Or do I still need a pre-amp between the turntable and speakers?
@@nerdsreselling the Klipsch have a phono in so you can plug right into it from the Fluance.
@@bellisariosonic awesome! one less thing to buy for now :P
Nagaoka is overpriced! The ortofon 2m blue is a nude elliptical stylus compared to the bonded elliptical of the Mp110. I would stay away from the Rt85 altogether, get the rt82 with acryllic platter and the vm540ml and you have a wonderful entry level turntable that will be better than the Rt85 for less.