Fluance RT87 setup: separate 2M Blue and VM95ML instructions

Identify the item and cartridge first

Check the manufacturer item ID and cartridge before setup. RT87T2MBLUE is Piano Black with Ortofon 2M Blue; RT87W2MBLUE is Natural Walnut; RT87WH2MBLUE is Piano White. The separate AT-VM95ML package uses RT87TVM95ML, RT87WVM95ML and RT87WHVM95ML for Black, Walnut and White. These are six finish/item routes across two functional cartridge packages. The manufacturer pages' shared canonicals do not erase their individual item IDs and visible finishes.

The shared RT87 chassis does not mean the arm settings are shared. The v1.0 manual gives the package-specific forces below. Keep the actual cartridge instructions and its matching stylus separate when you inspect or replace parts.

Plan the phono connection and check the box

The RT87 has no internal phono preamp. Use its RCA output and ground lead with a compatible receiver/integrated-amplifier PHONO input, or place an external moving-magnet phono stage before line-input powered speakers or an amplifier driving passive speakers. Use one complete route and check the ground-terminal instructions on every component. The maker lists an included 90 pF RCA cable and a 100–240 V AC input adapter with 12 V DC / 500 mA output; match the actual adapter label to the manual.

Fluance lists the turntable, tinted cover and hinges, 22 mm acrylic platter, belt, cartridge headshell, anti-skate weight, counterweight, adapter, RCA cable, ground cable, bubble level, hex wrench, transit screw-hole covers and manual. Check an open-box or used offer part by part. A 45 adapter is mentioned in the setup instructions for records that need one but is not named among the product-page included items. Do not assume it is present.

Resolve the transit-screw instructions before assembly

The July 2026 v1.0 PDF says to remove two transit screws and install the supplied hole covers; the current online First Time Setup page says to remove three. That is a source discrepancy, not a reason to force an extra screw or leave shipping protection attached. Match the exact deck and the instructions supplied with it, and ask Fluance for clarification if the screw count or positions do not agree. The manufacturer also says to remove the tonearm transit spacer, retain removed shipping hardware for transport and handle the platter and turntable carefully.

Balance the arm, then use the correct cartridge values

Follow the manual sequence: secure the arm, remove its protector as directed, lower the cueing lever for balancing, rotate the counterweight until the arm floats horizontally, set only its indicator ring to zero, then rotate the full counterweight to the model setting. Install the anti-skate weight using the notch for the exact cartridge. Level the turntable with the supplied bubble level and adjustable feet.

• Ortofon 2M Blue: 1.8 g tracking force; anti-skate notch 2, listed for 1.6–1.9 g.
• Audio-Technica AT-VM95ML: 2.0 g tracking force; anti-skate notch 3, listed for 1.9–2.2 g.

Fluance says the anti-skate bands depend on the included counterweight and headshell. After changing a cartridge, rebalance and realign the arm, check the replacement cartridge's weight and height against the RT87 support ranges, then set force and anti-skate for that cartridge. VTA adjustment is made only with the tonearm locked and stylus off the record; the support article cautions against making the adjustment with the stylus resting on vinyl.

Fit the platter and understand what auto-stop does

Set the 12-inch, 4.1 lb acrylic platter onto the spindle and install the rounded rubber belt without twisting or overstretching it; loop it onto the motor pulley as the manual shows. The manufacturer says the acrylic platter does not require a mat. Connect power only after mechanical setup and verify level again before playback.

The speed selector offers 33 1/3, 45 and 78 RPM. A 78-RPM setting is not enough for shellac records: Fluance recommends a 78-specific stylus, and the manual says its CW86 counterweight supports the documented 5–7.2 g cartridge weights and 2–5 g tracking-force range. Verify the exact 78 cartridge/stylus and counterweight combination before use. Auto-stop is separate from cueing: the manual describes a platter stop about 40 seconds after the stylus reaches a record end and warns that some records may not trigger correctly. The feature does not start, lift or return the tonearm.

Measure the body and the working space separately

The current RT87 pages publish 16.5 inches of width and 14.25 inches of depth, with a body height of 6.3 inches and a ±0.5-inch height tolerance. The unit is listed at 21 lb. These dimensions do not include cable bend radius, arm access, the cover opening path, record handling or a suitable support surface. Measure the entire operating area and confirm the current revision's physical fit instead of treating an exact width/depth match as clearance approval.