There is no difference in the ROM data between the 1080 and 2080 (and 1010 and XP-30 and XP-50 and XP-60 and XP-80). They're all the same technology repackaged in several machine sizes for different needs and budgets. The 50, 60 and 80 add sequencers, and the 60 and 80 have bigger screens. The 2080 has 3 insert effects instead of 1. Compare the preset lists in the manual; if you put a Session board in the 1080 you can also load the presets of the 1010.

I've got the XP-30 which is the keyboard version of the 1010 which has 3 expansions built in and room for 2 more.

The base consists of 640 presets - 5 banks of 128. One of those banks is the GM bank. Each expansion adds 255 presets (2 x 128 but 1 bit is used for switching between page 1 and 2). There's a user bank of 128 presets which contains a selection of other banks.

The JV880 is the same machine synthesis-wise with less horsepower which translates to a lower polyphony and fewer FX. Takes the same expansions - after all, they're called SR-JV for a reason - but with 4 layers each consuming a voice, you run out of 28 voices really quickly. The XP-10 is the stripped down version of the module in keyboard form with no expansion room.

The OP's posting history makes clear that tablets are equally bad :P

I've probably been posting on forums like these for wayy too long, but I've learned that topicstarters have a right to be stubborn. If someone's looking for hardware and a plugin would do a better job for a tenth of the price, I'm no longer going to convince them unless they're clearly not in the know at all.

If people don't want to use computers, go ahead. It probably violates the Geneva convention to edit 1U synths with 4 buttons from the front panel, but if someone's really aiming to get an Amnesty International award for that, I'll let them. Life's too short.

OK, so the guy from the store wants 400 euro for a used TR rack, 150 euro for a used JV880 and 175 euro for a used 03R/W soooo...

In the end i actually thought the prices would be much more reasonable for 2nd hand gear hanging in a rack and picking up dust for years... No wonder it is still there with those prices.
I appreciate all replies

Obviously the fact that i don't like them doesn't mean they're bad. :P

Wow!
Anyway here's an idea, go to the store and play with all of them and find the one you like then go on ebay or wherever and see if you can find one on there at a more reasonable price.

I second this. Those old ROMplers have a lot of character to them and can be had pretty cheap (most of the time.) @ Don Solaris shows that you can do some gorgeous things with just the onboard ROM of the JV-1080.

While they don't come by often, I got mine for 250 and I've seen it come by (you know where ) for that price a second time as well. 150-200 should be able to get you a 1080 there as well, though I don't know of any current ones for sale.

However, without computer it's indeed a preset machine - but the presets are really good.

If they've been hanging there for quite a while already, chances are that they were worth more when they were traded in (if that's how they got there). Still, the only way to make a profit on it (and if it's a smaller shop they already have a hard time competing with the big box retailers) is to sell it for a profit.

150 Euros is about 130 pounds. JV-880s are about 100 pounds on Ebay so a few quid more from a shop isn't that outrageous. You also get to check it out in person, avoid the delivery damage gamble and could probably take it back if it had a problem.

Yoozer's right about the JV ROMs being the same but the playback hardware does seem to vary between the synths. I found the JV-1010 to have a really odd top end on some sounds. No editing on it either without a computer. I've got a JV-880 now and that sounds fantastic and the editing isn't too offensive. I had a JV-1080 at one point too but I didn't get into it. I sold it when I put it side by side with my X5DR and realised how much I preferred the tone of that. Don has shown it can sound great with some heavy editing but the presets are very well worn these days. People used them to death in the 90s.

Overpriced to my eyes, but if that includes the VAT... But shows how unloved the JV880 is! They used to go for US$75 on eBay.

$400 is too steep for a TR. Motif is still a good choice. Lots of presets you can find on line and the plug in cards are awesome if you can find them. Especially the DX card.

IMHO the biggest difference between a JV and a TR is that the TR sounds much more hi-fi. I had the same experience when I played the JD800 - it sounded a whole lot better than my XP-30, even though both should have the same engine in the basis (with the JD having lower polyphony and fewer effects, but essentially the basis for all the engines up to the latest Fantoms). Often mentioned is the fact that the JD has a range all the way up to 44k while the JVs are capped at 32k; also, the digital filter of the JD has a better implementation than that of my XP-30 (which shoul've had a limiter on the resonance; it turns into useless self-oscillation too early).

You often hear the "blanket on the speakers" expression; IMHO this holds true for the TR vs the JV.

If the TR is 400 then the Motif will probably be equal or higher than that.

I have had a JV2080 and while the editing and display were great, it indeed always sounded like the proverbial blanket over the speakers.
I like 90s Korg modules so i thought the 03R/W would perhaps be some underrated ROMpler

So what would be a good price for a TR Rack? Provided that it is in 100% working order which i don't even yet know

The 03r/w gets good reviews these days, it just lacks the waveshaper that a lot of people seek the 01 for.

I guess it's more a matter of what sounds do you want that you don't have?

“I have space for” + “someone discarded these” ≠ “synth I should buy.”

I tried to load the programs but got the the following message "parameter not exist". Individual tones work though. I tried individual and group methods.

It's strange even the sweetwater tech info gives directions stating it can. I've read elsewhere that it can't too though.

I’d pay €400 for a Triton Rack WITH MOSS.

A TR Rack for that price is f***ing insane.

yeah i thought so too, i thought that i could get a better deal seeing as most modules have been there for some time.
What would be a good price for a TR Rack?

When I did see them, from US$200-300. I haven't seen one pop-up in the last year or two though... But then again, I now have money but no longer the interest in one!