Apr 09, 2024 - 17:20
By pocket-lint.com

I swapped my $450 turntable for a $300 model. Here's how it went

In 2023, Americans purchased almost 50 million vinyl records, coming in at almost 6 million more units than CDs in the same year. Records have been making a comeback for years, but the vinyl resurgence is now truly in full swing. Personally, I have been fascinated with vinyl records for well over a decade, and seeing this hobby grow exponentially has been loads of fun.

A record player is perhaps the most important part of a budding Hi-Fi enthusiast's setup, and the Fluance RT82 is one of the best record players under $500 that I've had the pleasure of coming across.

This Dangbei projector gave me an in-home theater experience for under $1K

The Dangbei Atom is a petite projector with Google TV built-in, plenty of lumens, and powerful sound. Especially at $899, I'm impressed.

I spent time with the RT82 as my main player and was impressed through and through. As an audiophile, I can confidently say you'll get the most out of this table without spending most of your paycheck.

Fluance RT82

The Fluance RT82 is one of the best value tables on the market right now, cutting no corners in delivering the best performance possible at its price point. Its solid construction and quality components make it a compelling buy for any budding vinyl enthusiast.

Pros

Great price for this quality
Adjustable counterweight
Great sounding OM 10 cartridge

Cons

Doesn't support 78 RPM

$299 at Amazon

Retro and contemporary design

Timeless with modern notes

The primary mass of the RT82 record player comes from its High Mass MDF wood plinth, offered in a variety of gorgeous colors, pictured above in bamboo. This gives the table some serious weight, and it feels sturdy and well-built when being moved or assembled. The wooden plinth rests atop resonance-dampening, vibration isolation feet, which are adjustable to ensure the record player is completely level before putting the stylus to record. The overall design is simplistic and lends a timeless feel to what is a decidedly modern product.