Rolls RS81B Quartz PLL Synthesized AM/FM Tuner with RDS

Rolls RS81B: Broadcast AM/FM Radio with a Balanced Output

The Rolls RS81B is a quartz PLL synthesized AM/FM tuner built into a 1U rack chassis for professional and commercial audio systems. It brings broadcast radio into a permanent install with the one thing consumer tuners lack: a balanced XLR output alongside RCA and headphone jacks, so the signal can run long distances to an amplifier or house system without hum. Quartz PLL synthesis locks tuning precisely to each station's frequency, and the unit stores up to 30 FM and 30 AM presets with an RDS display for station information. A large LCD, auto-search tuning, and a signal-strength LED meter make finding and holding stations simple. For any venue that needs reliable radio as an audio source, the RS81B is a rack-ready tuner designed for the job.

Stores 30 FM and 30 AM Presets with RDS Display

The RS81B stores up to 30 FM and 30 AM station presets and displays RDS data such as station name and program information on FM broadcasts. Quartz PLL synthesis is a tuning method that locks the receiver to the exact broadcast frequency using a crystal reference, eliminating the drift that older analog tuners suffer. Thirty presets per band mean a commercial user can store every relevant local station and recall it instantly rather than hunting the dial. RDS adds the station identification and text that broadcasters transmit, shown right on the front panel. For a bar, restaurant, or facility that switches between several radio stations through the day, quick preset recall with on-screen station names keeps operation simple for any staff member.

Balanced XLR Plus RCA and Headphone Outputs

The RS81B provides a balanced XLR output plus RCA and headphone outputs, which is what sets a professional tuner apart from a home receiver. A balanced XLR output carries the audio on two conductors so it can run long cable distances to an amplifier or distribution system without picking up hum or noise, essential in a commercial install where the rack may sit far from the speakers. The RCA output serves shorter, consumer-style connections, and the headphone jack lets a technician confirm the signal locally. Having all three means the tuner ties into virtually any downstream system directly. For an install feeding overhead paging or background music from broadcast radio, that balanced output is the feature that makes a radio tuner rack-worthy.

Auto-Search Tuning and Signal-Strength Metering

A large LCD, auto-search tuning, and a signal-strength LED meter make the RS81B easy to set and reliable to run. Auto-search steps the tuner through the band and stops on stations strong enough to receive, so finding available broadcasts takes seconds rather than manual dialing. The signal-strength meter shows how solid each station's reception is, which helps when positioning an antenna or choosing between two stations on similar frequencies. The FM range covers 87.5 to 108 MHz, and mono and stereo signal-to-noise figures of 52 and 50 dB at 1 mV indicate clean reception on a decent signal. For install technicians commissioning a system, clear metering and auto-search take the guesswork out of getting solid, listenable radio.

Included Remote That Retains Presets When Powered Off

The RS81B includes a remote control and retains all of its presets when powered off, so the tuner comes back exactly as configured after any shutdown. The remote lets an operator change stations or recall presets from across a room, which is convenient when the rack is mounted out of easy reach. Non-volatile preset memory means a power outage or a nightly shutdown will not erase the station lineup that was carefully programmed. That persistence is important in commercial settings where staff should not have to re-tune anything. For a facility that powers down each night and expects the same stations every morning, the included remote and retained presets keep operation effortless.

For Bars, Houses of Worship, and Background Music

The RS81B is built for commercial and install audio: radio feeds for bars, restaurants, and nightclubs, school and church PA sources, remote broadcast trucks and repeaters, background music drawn from broadcast radio, and overhead paging music sources. Its balanced output and rack chassis are exactly what a permanent install needs, where a consumer tuner's unbalanced-only jacks would fall short. Because it stores presets and includes a remote, day-to-day operation is simple enough for non-technical staff. As a dedicated AM/FM tuner rather than a general processor, everything about it serves clean, reliable radio reception. For any system that treats broadcast radio as a program source, the RS81B is the professional tuner made for the rack.