Fluance RT81 Replacement Needle

Belt drive · Manual · 33 and 45 rpm · Built-in phono preamp

Covers the RT81 and RT81+.

Which version do you have?

If you have the RT81

Audio-Technica ATN95E replacement needleAUDIO-TECHNICAATN95EAudio-Technica AT95E cartridgeAUDIO-TECHNICAAT95EMoving magnet
Cartridge on your record player: AT95E

The needle you need

ATN95E

The RT81 takes the Audio-Technica ATN95E needle.

  • Named by Fluance as the replacement
See it on Audio-Technica All record players that take the ATN95E

If you have the RT81+

Audio-Technica AT-VMN95E replacement needleAUDIO-TECHNICAAT-VMN95EElliptical tipAudio-Technica AT-VM95E cartridgeAUDIO-TECHNICAAT-VM95EMoving magnet
Cartridge on your record player: AT-VM95E

The needle you need

AT-VMN95E

The RT81+ takes the Audio-Technica AT-VMN95E needle.

  • Named by Fluance as the replacement
  • Elliptical tip
See it on Audio-Technica All record players that take the AT-VMN95E

New cartridge instead?

The RT81 takes cartridges with a standard half-inch mount, on a headshell you can take off. Fluance gives a cartridge weight range for the tonearm of 3.5 to 6.5 g.

Upgrade cartridges within that weight range
CartridgeTypeStylus profileWeight
Audio-Technica AT-VM95CMoving magnetconical6.1 g
Audio-Technica AT-VM95EMoving magnetelliptical6.1 g
Audio-Technica AT-VM95ENMoving magnetelliptical6.1 g
Audio-Technica AT-VM95MLMoving magnetmicrolinear6.1 g
Audio-Technica AT-VM95SHMoving magnetshibata6.1 g
Audio-Technica AT-XP3Moving magnetconical6.2 g
Audio-Technica AT-XP5Moving magnetelliptical6.2 g
Audio-Technica AT-XP7Moving magnetelliptical6.2 g
Audio-Technica AT95EMoving magnetelliptical5.7 g
Audio-Technica VM520EBMoving magnetelliptical6.4 g
Audio-Technica VM530ENMoving magnetelliptical6.4 g
Audio-Technica VM540MLMoving magnetmicrolinear6.4 g
Goldring 1006Moving magnetelliptical6.2 g
Goldring 1012GXMoving magnetother (Gyger II)6.2 g
Nagaoka MP-110Moving magnetelliptical6.5 g
Nagaoka MP-150Moving magnetelliptical6.5 g
Nagaoka MP-200Moving magnetelliptical6.5 g
Ortofon OM 5EMoving magnetelliptical5 g

Do you need a phono preamp?

A phono preamp boosts the very quiet signal from the cartridge.

The RT81 has one built in that you can switch off, so it plugs straight into powered speakers, or into an amplifier’s phono input with it switched off.

Speakers that work with the RT81

Connect the RT81's RCA output to the line input on any of these.

More speakers

Spare parts for the RT81

Key facts: Fluance RT81

All versions

  • DriveBelt drive
  • OperationManual
  • Speeds33 and 45 rpm
  • Cartridge mountHalf-inch
  • Removable headshellYes
  • Built-in phono preampYes, can be switched off
  • BluetoothNo
  • USBNo
  • Dust coverYes
  • Power supplyExternal power adapter
  • Size (W × D × H)419 × 362 × 146 mm
  • Weight6.4 kg

What differs between versions

RT81RT81+
CartridgeAT95EAT-VM95E
PlatterAluminiumAluminium (dampened)

Versions of the RT81

VersionStatusNeedle
RT81CurrentATN95E
RT81+CurrentAT-VMN95E

Other record players that take the ATN95E

Fluance RT81 record playerFLUANCERT813345

How to change the needle on the RT81

With the arm on its rest, hold the AT95E cartridge still, slide the old needle straight out of the front, then slide the ATN95E in until it stops.

We take these details from Fluance's own website and check them carefully, but makers change parts and part numbers, and we may miss an update. Before you buy, check the part on Fluance's official website. If you spot an error, please tell us.

Questions about the RT81

Does the RT81 need a separate phono preamp?

No. The RT81 has a phono preamp built in, and you can switch it off. Leave it on for powered speakers or a line input, or switch it off to use an amplifier with its own phono input.

Can I fit a different cartridge to the RT81?

Yes. The RT81 has a standard half-inch mount, so you can swap the AT95E cartridge for another of the same mount, and the headshell comes off to make it easier.

Can the RT81 play 78 rpm records?

No. The RT81 plays at 33 and 45 rpm only.

Do all versions of the RT81 take the same needle?

No. The RT81 takes the ATN95E. The RT81+ takes the AT-VMN95E.

Which cartridge is on the RT81?

The AT95E, a moving magnet cartridge with a standard half-inch mount. Its replacement needle is the ATN95E.