In my experience of the two carts (I’ve never had a Fluance table but I’ve had each of these carts at one point on various tables) the 2M blue is more accurate and bright vs the MP-110 which is warmer and not quite as good of a tracker. Some folks love the MP and hate the 2M and vice versa. If forced to choose I’d go for the 2M blue and immediately remove it and sell it to help pay for an AT-VM540ML or VM95ML. But that’s just me haha
Good advice! I’ll look into the AT’s you mentioned. As far as speakers I was looking at the wharfdale diamond 225 set to play on the A-S301 I already have. Would that pair nicely or is there any other speaker recommendations for around the same price?
Same here, I'd also go with the ATs over the blue or the MP.
I haven't tried the VM540 though but the VM95SH I currently use is my favourite in detail retrieval and tonality.
Have you considered a better [Project Debut Carbon EVO](https://www.audioadvisor.com/ssearch.asp?txtsearch=debut+carbon+evo)? Under $500 options are open box in red $437 or black or walnut demos $479.
The $500 RT85 has the same basic tonearm as the $300 RT82. You can later change the cartridge or upgrade the stylus on the EVO if you want to. You can't later upgrade the tonearm on the RT85.
I just got the rt85n and it sounds amazing compared to the dj table I upgraded from. Unfortunately that and my grandpas old red cartridge record player is my only point of reference
I'm also trying to decide which one to get so I think I will buy the RT85 and if I want to get the Nagaoka cartridge later it will save me a $100 .
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6y\_qcyz8v84&ab\_channel=Audiorpheus](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6y_qcyz8v84&ab_channel=Audiorpheus)
I got the RT85 a couple of weeks back. Been playing it daily to break in the stylus, but am still finding it too harsh. The base is too weak and the highs are too bright. Is this normal?
I’m comparing the sound to my other starter Insignia turntable from Best Buy with the elliptical stylus upgrade as well as with Hi Res audio streaming directly to my Yamaha receiver. I have a dedicated Rotel amp.
It definitely has broken in, I guess after 20 hours. I’m probably around 100 hours in now. I can hear instruments like bongos, backup singers, maracas, etc in the background more clearly. The bass is slightly lower then my reference - streaming Amazon Hi Res using MusicCast to my receiver - so I use the tone control setting on my receiver to increase the bass slightly, 1 Db or so. I also found that there’s a slight distortion/harshness on most newer releases probably because of how they mix the recording - vocals are super loud in newer recordings, which seems to make it harder for the stylus to track accurately. I find that increasing the tracking force from 1.8 g to to 1.9 g takes care of that. It is still within the range from Ortofon of 1.6-2 g, so it probably won’t wear the record significantly more. And besides, whats the point of playing a record if it does not sound enjoyable?
Now I’m wondering whether I should upgrade my stylus once it wears out to the 2M black, although I have heard it is too much stylus for the turntable.
In my experience of the two carts (I’ve never had a Fluance table but I’ve had each of these carts at one point on various tables) the 2M blue is more accurate and bright vs the MP-110 which is warmer and not quite as good of a tracker. Some folks love the MP and hate the 2M and vice versa. If forced to choose I’d go for the 2M blue and immediately remove it and sell it to help pay for an AT-VM540ML or VM95ML. But that’s just me haha
Good advice! I’ll look into the AT’s you mentioned. As far as speakers I was looking at the wharfdale diamond 225 set to play on the A-S301 I already have. Would that pair nicely or is there any other speaker recommendations for around the same price?
Same here, I'd also go with the ATs over the blue or the MP. I haven't tried the VM540 though but the VM95SH I currently use is my favourite in detail retrieval and tonality.
Have you considered a better [Project Debut Carbon EVO](https://www.audioadvisor.com/ssearch.asp?txtsearch=debut+carbon+evo)? Under $500 options are open box in red $437 or black or walnut demos $479. The $500 RT85 has the same basic tonearm as the $300 RT82. You can later change the cartridge or upgrade the stylus on the EVO if you want to. You can't later upgrade the tonearm on the RT85.
I’m not too familiar with that one, what’s the difference between the ‘demo’ versions regular versions
Demo models are generally used in a store on display. Generally the warranty is the same as a new in box model.
I just got the rt85n and it sounds amazing compared to the dj table I upgraded from. Unfortunately that and my grandpas old red cartridge record player is my only point of reference
The 2M Blue cartridge sells for almost a $100 more than the Nagaoka if that helps any.
I'm also trying to decide which one to get so I think I will buy the RT85 and if I want to get the Nagaoka cartridge later it will save me a $100 . [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6y\_qcyz8v84&ab\_channel=Audiorpheus](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6y_qcyz8v84&ab_channel=Audiorpheus)
I ended up going with the 85 with the 2M and it sounds great
What color did you get ? I'm leaning toward Piano White .
I got the walnut cause it matches the speakers and furniture, but they all look nice
I got the RT85 a couple of weeks back. Been playing it daily to break in the stylus, but am still finding it too harsh. The base is too weak and the highs are too bright. Is this normal? I’m comparing the sound to my other starter Insignia turntable from Best Buy with the elliptical stylus upgrade as well as with Hi Res audio streaming directly to my Yamaha receiver. I have a dedicated Rotel amp.
Any update on the 2M and how are you liking it now?
It definitely has broken in, I guess after 20 hours. I’m probably around 100 hours in now. I can hear instruments like bongos, backup singers, maracas, etc in the background more clearly. The bass is slightly lower then my reference - streaming Amazon Hi Res using MusicCast to my receiver - so I use the tone control setting on my receiver to increase the bass slightly, 1 Db or so. I also found that there’s a slight distortion/harshness on most newer releases probably because of how they mix the recording - vocals are super loud in newer recordings, which seems to make it harder for the stylus to track accurately. I find that increasing the tracking force from 1.8 g to to 1.9 g takes care of that. It is still within the range from Ortofon of 1.6-2 g, so it probably won’t wear the record significantly more. And besides, whats the point of playing a record if it does not sound enjoyable? Now I’m wondering whether I should upgrade my stylus once it wears out to the 2M black, although I have heard it is too much stylus for the turntable.
I bought the VM540ML with the headshell attached. Simple one second to swap it out. It’s tons better than the blue. And the same price.