First of all, does anyone have info on what tariffs and such would cost for buying from Belgium? I found it for $1620. The cheapest I've found in US so far is $1869. Is it worth buying from Belgium what with shipping, duties, etc?
Secondly, is there a huge difference in sound quality due to the 24-bit converters? Is it worth taking my expansion boards out of my XP80 and sticking them in the XV5080 to improve sound? Also, for my sequences, is it possible to have some of the tracks playing from the XP and some, like acoustic piano, through the XV? I'm not all that familiar with MIDI intricacies. I'm mostly happy with my XP, but I think I'd like the newer and higher quality waves, especially those which the SRX boards contribute.

Don't know much about the tariff situation, but the you'll need to 'convert' the mains voltage as the US uses 110AC @ 60Hz and Europe 220AC @ 50Hz.
Then there's the problem that (heaven forbid) that it goes wrong, Roland US may not like working on a 'grey import'.

As to improving the sound, well all you can do is try..
I'm sure the XP and the XV will get alone fine together. You could use the XP in 'patch' mode (the effects tend to be more powerful this way), and let the XV do the work house stuff

Good point. Hadn't thought about the power conversion. Another question: it sounds like you need some optional memory to load samples and such. So, this memory is not automatically part of the XV? You have to purchase it separately? If so, where do you purchase, how much, and how do you install it?

1USD is 40.566BEF (Belgian Francs). The cheapest I found was 89000BEF (+/- $1960). Are you sure the $1620 is VAT included? I live in Belgium and can't find it anywhere at this price. If it's without VAT, the actual price will be 21.5% higher!
I heard the 24-bit converters from Roland aren't fantastic, but I have an XV-88 (no digital output) so I can't confirm that. That power-converting thing shouldn't be a problem, as the 3080 and my 88 automatically choose the right voltage (haven't tested it though) and I assume the 5080 will do the same. You only need a US-type power cord, the connection on the back of the 5080 should be standard. Concerning the memory: the 5080 already contains a few Mb's (I thought, don't know how much), but you can add a standard SIMM module yourself (up to 64 or 128 Mb, not sure).
Little question: where can I find the cheapest SRX-expansion boards? The best I can get is +/- $307...

Hope I could help,

Hans

I can ship XV5080 to you for $1695 plus $25 shipping [USA]. For your informationm 128 mg cards retail around $165, 128 mg EDO ram retails around $150.. I have a 5080,2 weeks old[never used, 128 mg card, 128mg EDO Ram, SRX-02 Piano board[$395 retail] and SR-JV80-13 Vocal Collection board[$295 retail]..I will sell it for $2350, and I will pay the shipping [USA], This is a $2750 value. Everything is brand new...Fran

I need explanation. i've never had a sample player before. What is EDO ram? Do I need it if I get the 128 mg card? Secondly, why do you sell this stuff if it is unused? How did you buy it so cheaply that you can sell it unused? Is it all in perfect working order? What would be my guarantee?

Hanz, I found it for $1620 at keyboardshop.com

[This message has been edited by FAEbGBD (edited 08-09-2001).]