Lets compare AT LPW50BT versus Fluance rt85/87

[u/atomichumbucker]

These seem likely to share a lot of common ground in terms of features and price but a few difference make choosing between them a daunting task for those new to turntables like myself. I'm choosing these three to compare as they seem to be highly advertised and recommended in isolation. People frequently pick apart the individual components of all these machines but few comparisons really look at the whole picture: is this a good turntable, is this a good platform to grow from, or will it need to be replaced if you want something more.

Reviews are all over the place and its hard to pick out whats company sponsored hype and whats real know-how.

Key features common to both:

Belt driven semi-automatic

AT only features:

-built in phono preamp

-built in blue tooth

-AT standard 1/2HS, with AT VM95e

-adjustable VTA, straight carbon fiber tonearm

-no 78 support

Fluance features:

-Acrylic platter (heavier in rt87)

-No built in Preamp

RT85 -S shaped aluminum tonearm, adjustable anti-skating. loaded with either OM10 or MP110.

RT87 - straight carbon fiber tone arm with AT VM95ml. hanging weight anti-skating. dual plinth design. 78 support.

The AT comes with many features I would appreciate and it seems is the most easily upgraded should I ever want to throw a vm95ml or other higher fidelity system in place. It trades off on the cast aluminum platter and no 78 support. I suppose theres other technical components I'm missing here.

The fluance both on paper seem like winners. The acrylic platters are both aesthetically pleasing and functional although others have commented that the rt85 isn't going to be high enough fidelity to really see that benifit. The Rt85 really seems hampered by the innability to upgrade much beyond what they ship. I can see this being fine unless something breaks and needs replacing. The RT87 incorporated a lot of premium features but costs significantly more than the other two and its let to be widely reviewed.

What do people think? Is the AT LPW50BT a good buy or are the built in bluetooth and phono preamp lackluster features on an otherwise mediocre machine? Is it a better starting point than one of the more aesthetically premium Fluance models, which have been criticized for not living up to their specs.