Why You Can Trust CNET Get the Fluance RT81 turntable for $210
Save $35 on Fluance's "elite" high fidelity turntable with an aluminum platter and Audio Technica AT95E stylus.
Turntables aren't obsolete quite yet and may never completely disappear as long as people hang onto their vinyl collection (and musicians like Jack White continue to champion the aging analog format). If you've been looking for an excuse to invest in a turntable, here's a good one. From now till April 15, you can get the Fluance RT81 Elite High Fidelity Vinyl Turntable for $210, which is $35 off the regular price.
The RT81 is from the lower end of the Fluance line, which includes reference models like the RT84 and RT85, both of which cost twice as much as the RT81. Despite the RT81's place in the "starter" end of the family, it's clear that Fluance really cares about the sound of this turntable. It's built on a solid block of MDF and covered in a walnut veneer. The belt-driven platter is made of solid aluminum, and Fluance includes an Audio Technica AT95E moving magnet stylus with two grams of tracking force.
The turntable has a knob for switching between 33.3 and 45 rpm. Around back, you'll find a pair of analog audio terminals and a grounding post.
Yes, you can get a less expensive turntable that plugs into a PC using USB, but this Fluance is your gateway to rediscovering (or just discovering) the beauty of music that comes from a traditional amp and speakers. CNET's Steve Guttenberg took a look at the Fluance RT81 when it debuted, and he noted the build quality was well above what you'd expect from a model in this price range. Overall, he was quite impressed. In addition, it scores 4.6 stars on Amazon with about 700 ratings. Fluance has a solid reputation among serious music lovers, and this turntable is a good example of why.
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