I’ve got a few BLI steam locos and installed some Tsunamis too and been pleased with the result.
I heard a friends Athearn Big Boy the other day and wasn’t impressed by the chuff especially at speed in comparison to the BLI’s. I noticed there are alternative chuffs on the CV list and wondered if anyone has tried these to compare with the preset? I’ve offered to use my pc programmer to sort out some some other things as well so is there an expert out there who knows which one is any good?
I’ve also been considering the Genesis SD45 and I’m now less inclined to buy it until I’ve heard it in action as I would be dissapointed if the sound is this poor. Has anyone got one, or seen a demo who knows what they should sound like?
Paul
The Athearn Genesis line uses MRC Sound/DCC decoders - Both the steam and diesel versions are lacking compared to the competition…
Jim
I only have the Big Boys and cannot comment on the SD45-2 sound. Many of the comments about the SD45-2 have been fairly good, but the DCC drive is very poor.
The chuff and other steam sounds on the Athearn Big Boy is not even close to the real sounds, except for the whistle. They have 18 choices of Whistles and two of those are very close. You have to select the correct one as the default is the same as the Athearn Challenger model. The alternate chuff is even worst than the default.
The DCC drive on the Athearn Genesis Big Boy and Challengers are the poorest available today on the world wide market, and I feel I am being kind.
I own several of both models and now I have purchased Zimo MX63’s to replace the DCC drive and Tsunami’s for the sound.
Now I have models that looks good and acually runs.
The PCM Big Boy has a decent Chuff at slow speeds but sounds like a motor car at higher speeds and the PCM whistle is insulting to any large steam locomotive. The good thing about the PCM Loksound is you can download the whistle and bell to the d
Are the sounds realistic in the Athearn Genesis SD45 and Big Boy? In a word, no.
The complaints about the Big Boy are well done above, so let me add my two cents in about the SD45’s. At my club, I have tried to program 6 different SD45’s with our Digitrax Chief system with the Tony’s Power Pax programming track booster. Only on one was I able to change the address. Not a good omen. Then we tried to run them.
The sounds from these locos were just cheap. For example, the air sounds were more like static then anything like an air release. And the horns were also not impressive.
In short, Horizon bought sound from MRC because they are the cheapest sound effects available, and it shows. If anyone wants to change their minds, send e-mails to Horizon, not Athearn (who most likely know darn well what it’s costing them).
Paul A. Cutler III
Weather Or No Go New Haven
Paul
I certainly agree with your assessment of the MRC sound and I have been emailing Athearn. I will start with Horizon next as you have suggested, but they probably are in a license or contract deal to use the noise generators for some length of time. Thanks for the tip. I will purchase no Genesis diesels with sound since it has to be replaced anyway. The Steam does not offer models without sound so I am stuck with purchasing them and replacing MRC noise generator units. I read about a case of the new SD45-2 not working with any other models on a large club layout and the problems of programming. I think they had trouble MUing the MRC units also.
I have replaced and tossed the MRC boards in some of my Challengers and now will be working on the Big Boys also. Even the number board lights blink and flutter on the steam models wit th MRC setup. There is no excuse for poor quality in today’s so
Paul’s on target.
For the diesel, going with a non-sound Athearn may be the better way to go.
I’ve heard a few MRC equipped HO locomotives including the Athearn SD45-2. My friends and I were very disappointed. As I stated before, my LHS’s owner cancelled a $3000 order for sound equipped Athearn SD45-2s. I’m certain that the Athearn sales rep said “OUCH!”
Possibly newbies or modelers that have never heard prototype diesels before may be satisfied with the sounds, however I would challenge them to listen to a properly installed Lok Sound or Soundtraxx system. The differences in sound replication quality are very noticeable. The MRC’s sounds are synthesized.
LokSound, imho, takes the trophy for diesel accuracy. For me, absolutely enjoyable. Hopefully the QSI diesel sound decoders will hit the market soon to give Lok Sound some healthy competition.
As for MRC decoders—I’d probably use them for cleaning the underside of my fingernails. [:P]