Great video! Thanks again for your channel. Just a correction of sorts. At 13:26, there is not a straight upgrade path from the RT-80/81 to the RT-82/3/4/5. The 80 and 81 use not only a different plinth, but a different motor and belt setup. The belt in the 80/81 does it go around the platter, but around a sub-platter pulley that is of smaller diameter. This means the motor turns at a different rate for a given speed 33 vs 45. So a platter for an 82-85 will not work on an 80 or 81. Even the RT-81+ Elite does not use the acrylic platter. It is an acrylic mat on a thinner aluminum platter. I bought mine as an RT-82 refurb and upgraded the platter (and later the cart - Sumiko Moonstone). As for the 30 seconds before auto stop, two things: The auto stop works after 18 revolutions, just over 30 seconds. It only works with the auto stop switch in the back turned on. If the switch is off, the “semi-auto” feature does not function. That is, the table will start turning if the speed knob is set to either 33 or 45 no matter where the tonearm is. Keep up the great work!

@PiecesofVinyl

11 күн бұрын

Thanks for the note! I should have looked more into detail on this and pointed out that the these lower models are probably the better Value since you get a lot of the same features for a cheaper price.

Hey Rocco, I'm still rocking my RT85 after 2 1/2 years. For Christmas 2022 I added the Zen iFi phono stage, and then a few months ago I upgraded it to the Ortofon Bronze. Great table! The only issue I've run into is that the dampening fluid for the tone arm went bone dry. So when I lowered the tone arm it would drop like a rock onto the record. After doing some internet searches I found that this is a bit of a known problem with a small subset of RTxx owners. I found a site called Turntable Basics that sell syringes of dampening fluid. I bought some from them, refilled the RT85's tone arm "well", and now it's all good again.

@PiecesofVinyl

11 күн бұрын

Thanks for this - I have been wondering about the height of the resting position on mine - it seems to lower ok - but the height seems to be a bit low.

@TheSkyistheLimit_SITL

8 күн бұрын

@@PiecesofVinyl I had to do the same for mine but I was aware of that issue before I got my Fluance. Now it works perfect and I know what to do with (if ever) the fluid dries up again.

AT LP140XP Vta etc adjustments at the same price.

Yes, I have the bamboo model, love it!

@PiecesofVinyl

11 күн бұрын

It is def. sweet looking - after having the black for a while I got bored of it - the wood ones have more personality.

I love mine! Mine is a "RT-84" model I bought in the summer of 2021, and it's still great! I put a acrylic "mat" on the original aluminum platter, and it does the job right!

@PiecesofVinyl

11 күн бұрын

I should have stressed that going to the lower models is probably the better value - you are getting 99% of the same experience as the RT85 and you paid less! Good job!

It is the best IMO, sounds great with the Ortofon Bronze

I scored this table 2 years ago. I have a variety of Ortofon and AT carts. They all work well. Amazing value!!!!

@PiecesofVinyl

5 күн бұрын

I plan on trying out some AT carts eventually.

Great dissection, Rocco

@PiecesofVinyl

8 күн бұрын

Thanks Felipe!

Vta changes with every record. The bronze is awesome

@PiecesofVinyl

11 күн бұрын

that would make sense - each record is a little thicker or thinner - and I agree the bronze is awesome!

I bought the fluance 83 and upgraded it to the acrylic platter still want to get the ortofon 2m blue I heard that it's a really good one for switching from the red one I also got the record weigh for it

@PiecesofVinyl

11 күн бұрын

I have never used the Red - it's the only the only one I haven't tried (besides a mono edition) - I have been told that the jump from the Red to the blue is significant.

I love my 85

Running the cart a little light. The 2m Blu recommended tracking force is 1.8g

@PiecesofVinyl

11 күн бұрын

I double checked that and it says between 1.6-1.8 and then it lists 1.8 recommended - and I must have mis read that for 1.6! It tracks nicely at this weight - but I will try a little higher.

@ganonkenobi

11 күн бұрын

@@PiecesofVinyl if you're not having skipping issues and it sounds good you're probably good. Also probably a slight bit gentler on your pieces of vinyl!

I too have the RT85 with the Ortofon Blue cartridge. Love it and never had any issues at all. But that said I have had no other turntables to compare and contrast it against. May I ask what made you go with a different turntable as your new primary one? Thank you for the great video and much appreciated. Have a terrific day.

@PiecesofVinyl

11 күн бұрын

I ended up getting a really good deal - and I wanted to try out some different cartridges and people started mentioning the VTA adjustment - or lack there of on the fluance - so that combined with the deal made me want to try it out.

Thanks for the great video. I wanted to upgrade from my 48 year old AR XB to something from the 21st century 😉 so have ordered the RT85. The acrylic platter and Ortofon Blue were the factors that influenced this decision. I will check the cartridge alignment when I receive it. Thanks for the alignment checking resources. What is your everyday use turntable now?

@PiecesofVinyl

11 күн бұрын

I moved over to the AT-LP7 - which is only a fractional upgrade - I got a really good deal on it and it has an adjustable VTA - and I wanted to try out different cartridges. But you will be happy with the Fluance and the 2M Blue - What phono stage are you going to use? Or does your amp have one built in?

@randyoleson

11 күн бұрын

@@PiecesofVinyl My Emotiva preamp has a phono preamp, but I have been using a Pro-Ject Phono Box MM, which I think sounds better. V

Good turntable. My mom's boyfriend got one. Do not know if it's with all of them but with no VTA one needs a slip mat (he got an acrylic one of course) so that the tone arm is parallel with the platter / record. Without the tone arm looks to be pointing down a little bit.

@PiecesofVinyl

11 күн бұрын

Good to know I have been told using a slipmat as a "shim" can work. I will test that.

@robertendsley8312

11 күн бұрын

Yes. That is the best way to describe it. Using a slip mat as a shim. I learned this from the Steve Hoffman forum talking about the Pioneer PLX 500. Even having the VTA on the tonearm all the way down. One. Even two extra slip mats may be need to achieve proper VTA and having the tone arm level with the record.

Man, I pride myself in being one of the 1st to comment lol, but it's been a sh!t show today at work. Anyways, I'm gonna have to send you some pics of a turntable a friend of my moms gave me after her husband died. It's a old Montgomery Wards airline record and 8 track player with a AM/FM Dial also. The record player works just not sure about the 8 track player. But I wanna refurbishe it and get it looking shiny and new. Great video as always brotha man, nothing but love, and good vibes your way Rocco.

@PiecesofVinyl

11 күн бұрын

Man - no worries at all! I always love just seeing your comments! That sounds like a super fun project - you should document it! Those projects can be fun - but expensive - but they are always worth it!

Poor quality to start with the platter and cables omg