Roland JV/XP and different DAC`s

[johnsmith]

I am interested in the Roland JV/XP series. Somebody said he thinks the XP-80 sounds better than the XP-30 because of the different DAC.

Therefore I searched for some information on the internet and found the following site from Lil Chip Systems:
http://web.archive.org/web/20040415025018/www.lilchips....

this site (Lil Chip Systems) sais:

The oldest models from the JV/XP > the JV1080 and XP-50 have a 18-bit (tbd) DAC.

The newest models from the JV/XP > the JV1010 and the XP-30 have a 24-bit AK4324 DAC.

The ``middle`` models from the JV/XP > the XP-80, JV2080 and the XP-60 have a 18-bit PCM69AU DAC.


My conclusion based on this information is that the newest models (the JV1010 and the XP-30) have the best DAC`s, because 24 bit is better than 28 bit.
If somebody thinks a JV2080 or XP-80 sounds better, then he/she has a preference for the colored 18 bit sound. The 24 bit DAC`s of the XP-30 and JV1010 have a more clean/bright sound because of the 24 bit DAC.

My question is:

Is my conclusion right? Or am I wrong? What do you people think?

[Cesarsound]

I have the XP50, and it uses the DAC UPD63200GS. It works in 18bits / 44kHz.
But I am not sure if more bits will significantly improve the sound, because the ROM samples are 16Bits always. Actually there is an up-sample conversion.

The Fantom X, for example uses a 24Bit converter on output.

One part of circuit very important to keep the fidelity of original sound is the analog output stage after the DAC, where should be used the best filters, op amps, capacitors, power supply.

Just my thoughts.