BAD NEWS

[stevie]

Hey Joelee

I'm currently in contact with Roland UK about my X8, of which I've still haven't had confirmation of the problem. But, in an email today they've confirmed there's noise in the sample I sent them, but it's no worse than the fantoms they have there. (If a problem with the DACS then it will effect every fantom).

Who did you speak to at Roland UK and do you have a report number for the DAC issue. I'm speaking with Neil Tomlinson and have spoken to Rob Edwards about the first mainboard issue.

Thanks, Steve

[sb1]

I too have just emailed Roland UK over the "noisy DAC" issue and will let you know what they say.
There seemed to be some ambiguity with what they said to you Joelee - are they suggesting the DAC issue dosent occur with V2 mainboards? Not at all clear.
Also not sure about what we should expect to hear when the problem presents. Listening carefully to less complex sounds does not seem to reveal any defects in sound quality but that could be very tricky to pinpoint. I am convinced previous posts have made reference to defects in specific samples (eg Ultimate Grand) as these same "defects" present out of the digital outputs anyway. Surely if there is a DAC issue it is going to manifest as a clear degradation between digital and analogue pathways?
It would be nice to understand what is going on here.

[Waynester]

Neil Tomlinson is a nice chap - always very helpful and very friendly on phone if ever i have had problems with my X8

Before i found this forum i used to phone him twice a week with a
"Errr, Neil, how do you do this again?" Lol





Waynester

Keyboardist in UK`s Top Tribute To Bon Jovi

www.wayneharris.co.uk

www.bongiovi.co.uk

[EL Weezie]

Hey Artemio,

Since you have the inside scoop with roland can you put an end to all of this and find out what the Real Deal is with these mobo's? Also, if roland frequently monitors this forum wouldn't you think that they would step in and either confirm or deny the version 2 mainboard issue?

EL W

[stevie]

Totally agree SB1 with everything you just said - I came to exactly the same conclusions a few weeks ago when first identyfying the noise in the Ultimate Grand patch. Neil has posted this info. to the sound engineers at Roland Japan and is waiting for a response - as soon as I hear I'll let you all know.

Steve

[joelee]

Hi Stevie and sb1, my Fantom is the XR rack, so I do not know if it applies to your units.

Anyway, I original e-mailed 'support' on the Roland UK website. This was on Monday 24th Jan and I got a reply back the next day (Tues 25th).
I included these details as suggested by Arjan (see page 1)

101811, "Fault When Switching Sound", and
101989, "Mainboard Change Specifications".

and the serial, returns number etc of my the earlier 'repair' job.

I have already posted the main bulk of the reply message, but it also included a contact/number. See below

Simon Kellaway
Service Engineer
Roland UK Service Dept.

01792 515024

When I phoned Simon, he was very very friendly and said 'no worries, they'll pick it up and also install the latest OS for free'. Which was very different to the response from the 01792 702701 number on the UK website. (It was not Neil who I spoke to). So good luck you guys. It seems to be lottery as to whether roland acknowledge the fault or not.
I'll keep you posted as to what happens, please let me know how you get on.

[stevie]

Forgot to mention, here's a quote from Neil's email:

"I have compared this to the RD-700SX and this does not have the same character, but it is a different sample set based on the SRX-11 expansion."

Ummm - I wonder where this is heading!!! (Piano snobs - (suppose that must be me as well) rejoice)!

Steve

[joelee]

sb1, reading my earlier post I might not have made my self clear. So sorry for repeating some stuff, but this is what Roland said today (25th Jan) in an e-mail

I can confirm that there is another main pcb revision for the Fantom XR.

As you have correctly stated, this change is related to a possible problem with the DAC. However, if you are not experiencing any problems with the sound quality of the Fantom then it is not necessary to replace the main pcb,

Having checked the previous repair record, your Fantom does not have this latest revision fitted. If you are experiencing a problem then we will arrange collection of the Fantom and replace the main pcb.

joelee

[stevie]

Joelee

This sounds like a problem synonomous with the first mainboard, not on the upgraded boards - it would be nice to have clarity on this - should get confirmation soon. Apart from the piano patches, I hear no other defects in the sound that would make me think there is a generic problem with the DACs.

Steve

[stevie]

"Having checked the previous repair record, your Fantom does not have this latest revision fitted."

This seems to indicate that Roland UK are able to cross-reference board serial numbers with the 'DAC' problem - all we need to give them are our serial numbers and they can say yay or nay.

Steve

[sb1]

The (very speedy) reply from Roland UK as promised -
*****************************************************
Hi,
I can confirm that there has been a revision made to the main pcb of the
Fantom X range. The service bulletin you refer to does not relate to the
"noise when changing patches" problem but to possible crackles, pops or
other unusual noise from the outputs.
Not all Fantoms appear to be affected, so if you are not experiencing
any problems then I would advise to leave it as is.

Regards,

Simon Kellaway
Service Engineer
Roland UK Service dept.
Tel. 01792 515024 (1.00 - 5.00, 1.00 - 4.30 Fridays)
simon.kellaway@roland.co.uk
*****************************************************
So unless you are hearing "crackles, pops or
other unusual noise from the outputs" then the installed DAC is ok. My own mainboard is definitely V2 and I really cannot say I have experienced this defect - as yet. I am still not sure whether it is a V1 mainboard only or just a few rogue units on either revision due to defective DAC perhaps?That is of course speculation.

I am however rather impressed with this level of support.
Hope that helps.

[joelee]

Stevie, my XR has already had its board upgraded. This will be a 3rd mainboard !!!

[joelee]

When I spoke to Simon on the phone he confirmed that the 2nd board (the one in the unit at the moment - the upgrade) was of an earlier batch AND did not contain the newer DACs. And when I said I can hear some whooshing on some patches he immediately said send it in.

[joelee]

Good work sb1

[stevie]

What happened there Joelee - went all weird for a mo.

Apart from whoosing on the piano patches, I hear no other defects - what other whoosing sounds do you get?

Steve