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DCC Programming: episode 8 - TCS WOWSound Decoder Demonstration
My BLI paragon I Pennsy I-1 decapod had decoder issues, so I installed one of these, and the performance is great! The sound is realistic with a nice menu of whistles to choose from. The keep alive technology is one of the best features to come around for a long time. We have a fairly large home layout, and keeping every track perfectly clean would be impossible, so this makes operation as smooth as you could ask for.
-Stan
that’s awesome cant wait for diesel sounds to hear
That’s a neat system. I bet they would do a really nice diesel system.
Really NEAT!
What locomotive is this?
The steam sound is the best I have heard yet for any manufacture. The diesel horn is by far bar none the best of any systems I have heard to date. I was going to upgrade some more locomotives with Tsunami. But after hearing these guys , I think I’ll wait untill their diesel units come out, sometimes patience pays off. Great sound, even better than Broadway limited.
These guys are going to give Soundtraxx a run for their money. By far the best synchronization of chuffing I’ve heard. Didn’t hear any rods clanking as the engine slowed down but that’s a minor point.
SP and I believe UP had air horns on some of their steam engines in addition to the whistle.
Very nice sound, lots of options. What I would like to know, Dana, after testing, programming, operating, running the many sound decoders available, what do you deem the best overall?
WOW!!! Hence the name. That is a fantastic sound decoder and can’t wait for what they have in store for diesel sounds. They have really taken this to the next level.
Hello Cody,
I’m working on a review of the decoder right now, so I’ll let you know what I think in an upcoming issue of Model Railroader magazine.
Thanks for reading and watching.
Dana Kawala
Senior editor
The best stream sound around… And for the person that asked about the rod clanks, the Wow has several very good ones, they just did not demo them much in the video.
As Spock would say, “Fascinating!” Lots of options. It would be interesting to hear their UP whistles. I really like the audio feedback instead of watching to see the loco jump or blink. Do they do a decoder for a Big Boy and or Challenger? Thanks for sharing this visit with us.
The two things they didn’t mention in the video is the keep alive circuit and the brake function. It makes operation smoother and control of the locomotive is much more realistic. Great product.
Now THAT is realistic sound!
I would love to see this technology made to retrofit into n gauge. I know it is hopefully around the corner.
I wonder if it has “rod clank” that seems so prevalent in my steam videos, especially when coasting…clankity…clankity…clank?
I am a big WOW Sound fan. So far I’ve purchased and installed 28 of these decoders, replacing old Soundtraxx, (not the Tsunami’s), and factory QSI’s. Also, I’ve now been able to run my 0-6-0 and 0-4-0 switchers due to the “keep alive” feature. The BEMF is superior to anything I’ve seen so far. The exhaust sync is dead on; I‘ve even by-passed the cam circuit on some engines. Programming is a breeze. No more struggling with countless CV’s, and the results are phenomenal. Can’t wait ‘till the release their diesel sound!
The video was very informative. TCS makes a “power only” decoder for G and O scales. It works well but please encourage them to add the WOW sound technology. With larger speakers possible in O and G scales their sound technology should be even more impressive.
Sounds really good! The kid’s got it together!