Howdy: I’ve converted a couple of steam locos to Tsunami decoders and now I have an F7 I’d like to convert. Can someone suggest a brand/model that would give a quality sound/performance reproduction?
Thanks,
the goat
As always the quality of sound is much more a function of the speaker installation rather than the sound processor itself. You can wait for the Diesel Tsunami, or try some of the others. There are the old sountraxx units, LokSound, and in a F unit you might be able to fit a Phoenix (16 bit sound). The only one I cannot recommend is the MRC “brilliance”, they are so loud one can never tell if there is quality there or not. Be aware that the LokSound uses 100 ohm speakers rather than the normal 8 ohm. Be certain whichever one you get has an EMD 1st generation prime mover sound.
If you like the Tsunami for steam, you may just want to be patient and wait for the diesel version to come out. I did install the older Soundtrax decoder in an FT a year ago with good results. If you can find one, you may be able to pick-up one of the older Soundtrax decoders for short money at this time.
I installed a Soundtraxx LC (“low cost”) sound decoder in a Stewart FT A unit, with a 1" speaker and enclosure in the dummy B unit. I thought it turned out well, it’s a decent generic EMD sound and you can choose between five-chime, three-chime, or single “blat” airhorns by setting one of the CV’s. Think the decoder was $39.95.
The good old soundtraxx LC is a good option if you arent picky, and god knows when the diesel tsunami will be available. If you have the money go Loksound. They are unquestionably the best diesel sound decoders available right now and you can order it loaded with the exact sounds for your locomotive. Prototype specific horns and everything. They also offer a programmer if you want to change the sounds on the decoder yourself. The programmer costs another $150, and you DO NOT need it unless you plan on changing sounds in the future. Everything else will program on a normal programming track. The Loksound decoders do use 100ohm speakers, so you will want to order Loksound speakers as well. They have a nice selection and they arent too expensive. Like most anything else, it all depends how much money you want to spend.
I just browsed Litchfiel Stations web site. Check this out. They have a Soundtraxx DSD-100LC Diesel Sound decoder tht controls sound, motor, & lights for $36.00 bucks. I think that is quite a deal. I’m ordering on as soon as I finish reading he forums. I have one insalled in an Athearn FB-unit with dual speakers and its in a word-awesome!. I don’t plan on equipping every loco with sound, but say in a 4-unit lashup maybe have 2 sound equipped. I have a 10’X20’ train room and with some tweaking of the sound CVs I get anice eho effect, especially in tunnels & underpasses. The only Tsunami decoders I saw here were for light steam or a climax loco, but still they were only $79.95, a lot cheaper than what I nad figured. BTW, What brand of covered wagon are you looking to install sound? This web site has alot of installation instructions, complete with pics. Tweet
If you like the way your Tsunamis work, you will HATE the generic LC. The motor control isn’t very good, it isn’t even ‘silent’ drive. There’s no back-emf or other goodies, either. I do have one to install in a dummy B unit, since the motor part is irrelevant. But in a powered unit you’ll want somethign better. Unless it’s remotored, a BB motor will buzz something awful if the decoder isn’t silent running.
The Loksound decoder is more expensive, yes, but it has better sounds than the 100LC, which is just generic (but mostly EMD) and the motor drive on Loksound is incredible, even better than Tsunami.
–Randy