Fluance RT87 Piano Black with Ortofon 2M Blue review

The Fluance RT87 with Ortofon 2M Blue is a manual, belt-drive turntable built around a heavy acrylic platter and separated dual plinth. Its package includes an adjustable-height carbon-fiber arm, but the first compatibility check is the phono stage: the deck has no internal preamp and needs a compatible PHONO input or external stage.

Which RT87 package this review covers

This assessment is for current Piano Black item RT87T2MBLUE with the moving-magnet Ortofon 2M Blue. The Natural Walnut (RT87W2MBLUE) and Piano White (RT87WH2MBLUE) pages are finish-only routes on the same platform. Their canonicals point to Black, so use each page's visible finish, item ID and image when checking an offer.

The other current RT87 package uses the Audio-Technica AT-VM95ML. It has the same documented dual plinth, arm, platter, drive, speed selection and body dimensions, but a different stylus geometry, cartridge output, tracking force, anti-skate notch and replacement stylus. Those are not cosmetic differences. Compare the separate RT87 with AT-VM95ML assessment before treating the two cards as interchangeable. This is a source-based equipment comparison, not a listening test or a claim that either cartridge sounds better.

Choose and verify the phono route

Fluance specifies no built-in phono stage or line output. For a receiver PHONO input, connect RCA and ground leads as its manual directs. With powered speakers, use turntable → external MM phono stage → speaker LINE input; passive speakers need an amplifier after the stage. The stage supplies cartridge equalization, while the amplifier powers passive speakers, so one does not replace the other.

Fluance's setup page says a second ground lead may be needed between an external stage and downstream equipment if hum remains. It lists the included RCA cable at 90 pF; check cable and stage loading with the 2M Blue instructions. Use the supplied adapter, specified for 100–240 V AC input and 12 V DC / 500 mA output, and verify its label on used stock.

What the 2M Blue package changes

Fluance lists 5.5 mV output, a 7.2 g 2M Blue with nude elliptical stylus, and 1.8 g tracking force. Manual v1.0 pairs that force with anti-skate notch 2 (1.6–1.9 g). The AT-VM95ML version instead uses 2.0 g and notch 3. The named replacement is the Ortofon Stylus 2M Blue; check the exact cartridge and stylus on a used offer.

The straight, static-balanced carbon-fiber arm has an H-4 bayonet headshell, half-inch mount and adjustable VTA. Fluance says to lock the arm and keep the stylus off the record during height changes. Its setup page says to remove three transit screws, but the July 2026 manual says two; follow the instructions supplied with the exact unit rather than forcing a screw.

Platter, stop behavior and record speed

The 12-inch, 22 mm acrylic platter weighs 4.1 lb; the maker says no separate mat is required. The motor offers 33 1/3, 45 and 78 RPM. For shellac 78s, Fluance recommends a 78-specific stylus and an optional CW86 counterweight for its stated 5–7.2 g, 2–5 g-force cartridge range. Verify that combination first. A 45 adapter is mentioned for records that need one but is not named in the included-parts list, so check the box.

The RT87 is not fully automatic. Its cue lever helps lower the stylus, but the listener starts and handles the arm. A separate auto-stop is described in the manual as stopping the platter about 40 seconds after the stylus reaches a record end; Fluance cautions that variations in records mean some may not trigger it correctly. It does not lift or return the arm. Anyone requiring unattended start, lift and return should not count this as an automatic turntable.

Footprint and buying checks

The current page lists body dimensions of 6.3 inches high (±0.5), 16.5 wide and 14.25 deep, and a 21 lb unit weight. These do not include cable bends, control reach, record handling, arm movement or cover travel; an exact-size shelf is not a verified installation. The heavy platter and layered plinth also call for a stable surface and careful handling.

Keep the RT87 with 2M Blue on the shortlist when that exact cartridge package, adjustable arm and acrylic platter fit the intended system and manual cueing is acceptable. The tradeoff is an extra phono-stage requirement and a more involved setup than a plug-in-and-play deck. Before ordering, confirm the exact RT87 finish and item ID, the included 2M Blue and stylus condition, platter, belt, counterweight, anti-skate weight, ground/RCA leads, adapter, cover and current manual. Read the separate RT87 setup checklist, compare the VM95ML package if cartridge choice is open, and use the phono-stage guide to map the rest of the system.