Ok guys I don’t want to start any wars here but I have a Question. I am looking into a decoder for an ATHEARN GP38-2 made in 2004. I was looking at a decoder w/ sound made by soundtraxx. Has any body used the brand? I am looking for the pros and cons of the Soundtraxx Brand. I think the price was about $115.oo.
No Wars Please, Let Keep It Friendly.
Thanks in Advance
Baker
Baker,
Although I don’t have any personal experience with them, I’ve “heard” that SoundTraxx makes a very good product. Did you get a recommendation from someone on a specific SoundTraxx sound decoder? Which one? - i.e. model number?
Tom
The combination sound and motor decoders that Soundtraxx used to have, the DSD line, have been discontinued except for the generic steam and generic diesel ones. The generic diesel one will NOT match the correct sounds for a GP38-2. Better off anyway, while the sounds of the Soundtraxx decoders is good (on the ones that have specific motor sounds and specific horns), the motor control ont hem is absolutely horrible. With an Athearn motor you would probably end up with buzzing from the mootr louder than the sound effects.
To go Soundtraxx you need two decoders, a decent motor drive decoder (an NCE D13SRJ would work nicely), and the Soundtraxx DSX diesel sound decoder with the appropriate sounds. The overall result will be FAR better than the Soundtraxx DSD. The D13SRJ is $13 or less ($11 in 10 unit quantitites - I use them as my standard decoder), the DSX is about $60, plus whatever speakers you can fit.
–Randy
Soundtraxx would be the cheaper option and you probably wont end up spending $115. If you got that figure off the soundtraxx website, they havent updated thier price list in about 2 years for some reason so dont go by that.
However, if you are willing to spend $115 (or a bit more I guess) then Loksound is the way to go. Loksound is THE BEST diesel sound decoder around. The sounds are incredible, crisp and clear, and you can get your decoder loaded with the exact sounds for your locomotive. Plus the decoder has wonderful motor control with BEMF and load compensation. It will make your loco run very quiet and smooth and it wont slow down going up grade or speed up going down grade.
No matter what you go with, a GP38-2 is a rather small loco. The dual decoder setup that is optimal for soundtraxx will obviously take up more space, and soundtraxx DSD decoders are pretty big. Loksound decoders are small, just a little longer than a TCS T1 or Digitrax DH163, and the same thickness.
Depending on how much of a hurry you’re in, you might want to watch for the new Soundtraxx Tsunami diesel decoders. Their steam units, finally released last November, are terrific. They’re both motor drive and sound, list for $100 and are available from most DCC retailers for about $80 (plus speaker). Nobody seems to really know when the diesels will be out, as there’s nothing “official” from Soundtraxx , and noting at all on their web site. But someone from there said “maybe this summer” on one of the forums a few months ago. Just a thought.
I am definantly looking forward to the diesel tsunami release. But i dont think I will be getting one anytime soon if the delays on the steam tsunami are anything to go by. Now dont get me wrong I am not bashing soundtraxx, I think the steam tsunami was worth the wait, but right now im not seriously giving any thought to the diesel version.
You’ve just started a HUGE War MR! Why I can’t remember a time when so much carnage and mayhem has ensued over such inflammatory verbage as you have used. Just look at this thread. Carnage and bedlamm have prevailed and you’ve no one to blame but yourself. OH the HUMANITY! [:D]
I must say that I’ve got the El-Cheapo Soundtraxx DSD-100 Atlas LC decoder for generation 2 diesel and must say I enjoy it very much. And for only $48 at my LHS its a pretty good deal. You need to buy a speaker with it too though so that will add another 6 or 7 dollars. I’m looking forward to the tsunami diesel decoder myself.