AT-LP120 usb vs Fluance RT85

[riley craft]

Hey folks I have been looking into turntables for the past few weeks and I'm exhausted. I already own an AT-LP120 USB. I originally thought it was busted so I was in the market for a new TT. I did a bit of research and came across the rt85 by Fluance. After seeing so many good reviews on youtube and reddit I impulsively bought it. Afterwards I did even more research and came across audiophile forums such as AK, Steve Hoffman's and stumbled across Ians YT channel (HiViNyws channel). Ian compared the rt-85 w/an rp1 and pointed out some problematic things about the rt 85. Basically many of the components of the rt85 are cheap clones that are also used by crosely and AT. I also read some complaints about tonearm not being that great. Yes, at first I decided to go used. I searched eBay, reverb and even my local CL for a used MK5 or MK2. They were all out of my budget and on top of that most were in really bad cosmetic condition. I am not interested in buying used right now please don't bother trying to convince me. I would like someone w/ a well-trained pair of ears to tell me if I, a casual listener, will hear much of a difference btw the at lp 120 and rt85. Anyways, I hooked up my old at-lp120 and it turned out to be functioning well but the RCA cables are on their last legs. The preamp on this TT can not be bypassed unless you remove it (i dont want to do that). I bought a Nagaoka 110mp cartridge thinking it would help the sound of the at lp120 (will be delivered tomorrow) but I still wonder how much the preamp is messing with the sound. Today my Fluance RT85 arrived and I was going to return it but now I am considering keeping it mainly since there's no built-in preamp. The rt-85 also has an Ortofon 2m blue cartridge. How do these two turntables compare? I would like to hear opinions before I open up the fluance and give it a spin. It will be a lot easier to send back unopened. My set up is a pair of Klipsch rp-600m and a nad c 316bee V2 integrated amp.

 

[ltbetty]

For what it's worth, I've bypassed the USB preamp on numerous LP120's and it's well worth the effort. Significantly improved sound. I also always upgrade the cartridge and the mat. Some will say to repair or mod the antiskate but I find more benefit from the 3 things I do.

 

[Fritz411]

If all you're doing is spinning the occasional record, the AT-LP120 is fine. I personally think the pre-amp thing is over-rated. I performed the "upgrade" and could not hear a difference. The Nagaoka will sound nice on it, just take your time setting it up

 

[Studio_D]

The RT-85 is a well-liked turntable and it's a great value for the money with the included Ortofon Blue cartridge. I wouldn't pay too much attention to the people criticizing the perceived merit of individual components used in its construction. In any discussion about "hi-fi' gear there are always critics finding fault with one thing or another but overall the RT-85 gets high praise.

With that said, is it really worth spending $500 on that RT-85 when you already have a functional AT-LP120 and a new Nagaoka cartridge? Once you do the recommended mods on the LP120 then it's kind of a lateral move even if the two models take different approaches. I personally like direct drive turntables, I consider 78 RPM and pitch control nice features to have, and I think the Audio Technica is a competent performer for a system like yours.

If it were me I'd keep the LP120 and do the mods. I'm pretty handy though, and would have no problem doing it. If you're not, then maybe it would be better to keep the RT-85 and sell the AT-LP120 to offset some of the cost.

The only option that I wouldn't find appealing would be keeping the LP-120 without doing the mods. Some people say they can't hear any difference but it would bug me to always be wondering what I might be missing.

 

[riley craft]

For what it's worth, I've bypassed the USB preamp on numerous LP120's and it's well worth the effort. Significantly improved sound. I also always upgrade the cartridge and the mat. Some will say to repair or mod the antiskate but I find more benefit from the 3 things I do.

thats how I've always listened to my 120, bypassing the internal preamp into an art dj pre ii and now into my integrated amp. I think the cartridge upgrade will be the next noticeable upgrade as I have already upgraded my mat to a leather one a while ago.

 

[riley craft]

If all you're doing is spinning the occasional record, the AT-LP120 is fine. I personally think the pre-amp thing is over-rated. I performed the "upgrade" and could not hear a difference. The Nagaoka will sound nice on it, just take your time setting it up

thank you! this is what I assume, especially with my amateur ears.

 

[riley craft]

Some people say they can't hear any difference but it would bug me to always be wondering what I might be missing.

Fantastic advice and I think I may consider doing the mod in the future. This is exactly how I feel. I ended up opening the fluance and giving it a spin and I am not hearing that much of a difference btw the two TT even with the AT LP120 only having the stock cartridge. The fluance will go back.

 

[ltbetty]

Fantastic advice and I think I may consider doing the mod in the future. This is exactly how I feel. I ended up opening the fluance and giving it a spin and I am not hearing that much of a difference btw the two TT even with the AT LP120 only having the stock cartridge. The fluance will go back.

When I bypass the preamp, I leave everything in place so it can be put back to it's previous state by a new owner if they choose to do so. I agree with others; even without the mod, you'll really enjoy a cartridge upgrade! Enjoy!

 

[knotscott]

If you haven't opened the Nagaoka yet, I'd give some serious thought to the VM-95ML or SH. They're a great match with that arm, and some prefer the clarity and openness to the MP110.

 

[Bicyclist]

I like old tables and getting them working correctly but your approach is spot on in my book. Listen to what you like. Spend your time exploring music instead of geeking on equipment.

 

[riley craft]

I finally got around to listening to the mp 110 on the at lp120 and tbh i think the blue 2m on the rt85 sounds better lol a lot more clearer and detailed but the 110 mp has a nice warm vinyl sound to it.

 

[Fritz411]

I finally got around to listening to the mp 110 on the at lp120 and tbh i think the blue 2m on the rt85 sounds better lol a lot more clearer and detailed but the 100 mp has a nice warm vinyl sound to it.

Welcome to the rabbit hole

 

[jrtrent]

I finally got around to listening to the mp 110 on the at lp120 and tbh i think the blue 2m on the rt85 sounds better lol a lot more clearer and detailed but the 110 mp has a nice warm vinyl sound to it.

HiFi World reviewed all of the 2M cartridges from Ortofon, and said, "A notable feature of the new Ortofon 2M Moving Magnet cartridges is a frequency response that tilts slowly upward as frequency rises. I have never seen such a trend before in any cartridge. It suggests they will sound forward and detailed, certainly lacking the traditional warmth of moving magnets." In comparing them to products from Nagaoka and Shure, the latter were described as "warm, fluffy and romantic" while the 2M Ortofons were, "ruthlessly forensic" and "intensely communicative." My preference happens to be for warm and fluffy, but it sounds like you're definitely getting two different presentations from those two cartridges!

 

[riley craft]

HiFi World reviewed all of the 2M cartridges from Ortofon, and said, "A notable feature of the new Ortofon 2M Moving Magnet cartridges is a frequency response that tilts slowly upward as frequency rises. I have never seen such a trend before in any cartridge. It suggests they will sound forward and detailed, certainly lacking the traditional warmth of moving magnets." In comparing them to products from Nagaoka and Shure, the latter were described as "warm, fluffy and romantic" while the 2M Ortofons were, "ruthlessly forensic" and "intensely communicative." My preference happens to be for warm and fluffy, but it sounds like you're definitely getting two different presentations from those two cartridges!

I sort of want to keep the 110 mp bc I feel like warm sound will sound a lot better for certain genres like folk and jazz. While leaving my 2m blue on to spin all my other stuff .

 

[Trekkie4]

Hey folks I have been looking into turntables for the past few weeks and I'm exhausted. I already own an AT-LP120 USB. I originally thought it was busted so I was in the market for a new TT. I did a bit of research and came across the rt85 by Fluance. After seeing so many good reviews on youtube and reddit I impulsively bought it. Afterwards I did even more research and came across audiophile forums such as AK, Steve Hoffman's and stumbled across Ians YT channel (HiViNyws channel). Ian compared the rt-85 w/an rp1 and pointed out some problematic things about the rt 85. Basically many of the components of the rt85 are cheap clones that are also used by crosely and AT. I also read some complaints about tonearm not being that great. Yes, at first I decided to go used. I searched eBay, reverb and even my local CL for a used MK5 or MK2. They were all out of my budget and on top of that most were in really bad cosmetic condition. I am not interested in buying used right now please don't bother trying to convince me. I would like someone w/ a well-trained pair of ears to tell me if I, a casual listener, will hear much of a difference btw the at lp 120 and rt85. Anyways, I hooked up my old at-lp120 and it turned out to be functioning well but the RCA cables are on their last legs. The preamp on this TT can not be bypassed unless you remove it (i dont want to do that). I bought a Nagaoka 110mp cartridge thinking it would help the sound of the at lp120 (will be delivered tomorrow) but I still wonder how much the preamp is messing with the sound. Today my Fluance RT85 arrived and I was going to return it but now I am considering keeping it mainly since there's no built-in preamp. The rt-85 also has an Ortofon 2m blue cartridge. How do these two turntables compare? I would like to hear opinions before I open up the fluance and give it a spin. It will be a lot easier to send back unopened. My set up is a pair of Klipsch rp-600m and a nad c 316bee V2 integrated amp.

If you're in the market for SL-1200-lookalike turntable, but don't like LP120 due to one reason or another, I would highly recommend LP-140XP. It doesn't have a preamp (or USB, for that matter), but offers beefier design & build quality than LP120 & (I'm guessing, since I never owned one personally) Fluance. Dampened platter, metal plinth, etc, etc. Look it up if you're interested.

That being said, I previously owned LP120, and after being told & recommended zillion times from others I took the bait & bypassed the internal preamp. There is more than one way to do it, including the less-invasive method which allows you to KEEP the internal preamp, along with USB feature but to remove the main culprit, Low-Pass frequency filter at the output gate. The end results however are open to debate & personal preference. Some of the warmer cartridges (Shure M75, M91) sound about the same as before, without any notable difference. While the brighter counterparts (Audio Technica, 95E in particular) now sound much better & more dynamic in my personal opinion.

Edit
@riley craft I just remembered something... In this review of AT-LP140, Paul Rigby actually compared 140 with the Fluance. And pointed out the differences, along with pros & cons of both models.