Gadgets

Need a New Turntable? Take a Look at the New Fluance

A box arrived at my front door the other day. Inside was a production prototype of the new Fluance belt drive turntable. I unpacked it, set it up and have been testing it my studio.

Unlike my Technics SL-12oo (a 2010 vintage model that sold for more than $1,000 CAD; the new SL-1200s coming later this year will sell for more than $4,000 USD), the Fluance is belt drive but is just as stripped-down and no-nonsense. It’s also made in Canada.

The Fluance comes in two flavours: the RT80 (estimated early bird retail price of less than $200 CAD, a great price) via the company’s Kickstarter campaign) and the RT81 (early bird around $265 CAD–another great value). Both deliver excellent sound quality and feature a nice solid build. (And you can buy both for $525 CAD.)

If you want to get on board with the vinyl resurrection (which just keep going and going and getting bigger and bigger), you need a turntable. Fluance offers a great option.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

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6 thoughts on “Need a New Turntable? Take a Look at the New Fluance

  • Tempting…
    Pre-amp built in Alan? Doesn’t seem to say on its kickstarter page
    Would be a good 2nd unit for the house

    Reply
  • A great option for those of us getting into vinyl – great post Alan.

    Reply
  • The builds look like much pricier Pro-Jects.

    I’m happy with my 60s Dual, grabbed it from Around Again on Baldwin for like $300. After hearing friends’ turntables, and trying a couple in the shop, it sounded substantially better than any I’d heard (Shure cartridge for what it’s worth). Just wish it didn’t use an idler wheel drive.

    Reply

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