Andover Audio SpinDeck 2 vs Fluance RT81
Side-by-side specifications and a plain-English account of the recorded differences. Full profiles: Andover Audio SpinDeck 2 · Fluance RT81.
| Specification | Andover Audio SpinDeck 2 |
Fluance RT81 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329 | Highlighted difference. $300 |
| Category | Budget | Budget |
| Status | current | current |
| Years | 2023–present | 2016–present |
| Drive | belt drive | belt drive |
| Speeds | 33/45 rpm | 33/45 rpm |
| Operation | semi-automatic | manual (auto-stop) |
| Cartridge supplied | Audio-Technica AT3600 | Audio-Technica AT95E |
| Phono stage | Yes | Yes |
| USB output | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Platter | aluminum (cast, machined) | aluminum |
| Tonearm | aluminum with integrated headshell | S-type aluminum |
| Wow & flutter | 0.20% | 0.10% |
Practical differences
Highlighted cells show a lower reference price, support for more listed speeds, or the presence of a convenience feature. They are not an overall score.
There's a real gap here: $29 separates them, with the Andover Audio SpinDeck 2 the pricier of the two.
Both are belt-drive, so that part of the experience should feel similar on either deck: a motor that's mechanically isolated from the platter by an elastic belt, which is the usual route to a quieter noise floor — the default choice across most of hi-fi.
Operation differs: the Andover Audio SpinDeck 2 is semi-automatic, the Fluance RT81 is manual (auto-stop).
Bottom line: the Fluance RT81 has the lower reference price; the table shows which documented features change with the $29 gap.
Live retailer offers
Checking current in-stock offers for Andover Audio SpinDeck 2…
Retailer searches
3 US retailers stock Andover Audio — each outbound link searches the deck on that retailer’s site.
| Retailer | Type | Shipping | Product search |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | marketplace | Free shipping on $35+ orders (free on most items with Prime, often same/next day). | View at Amazon ↗ |
| Crutchfield | electronics chain | Free shipping on nearly all orders, with free 2-day delivery on most gear. | View at Crutchfield ↗ |
| Turntable Lab | hifi independent | Free shipping to the continental US on most orders (bulk/oversized items excluded). | View at Turntable Lab ↗ |
Live retailer offers
Checking current in-stock offers for Fluance RT81…
Retailer searches
3 US retailers stock Fluance — each outbound link searches the deck on that retailer’s site.
| Retailer | Type | Shipping | Product search |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | marketplace | Free shipping on $35+ orders (free on most items with Prime, often same/next day). | View at Amazon ↗ |
| Walmart | department store | Free shipping on orders $35+ (free with Walmart+); store pickup available. | View at Walmart ↗ |
| eBay | marketplace | Shipping set per seller; many listings ship free within the US. | View at eBay ↗ |