Hiss In Sound Decoder

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

I’m on the DCC learning curve and thought I would try a “drop in decoder” first. So, I bought a MRC Alco S2 decoder and followed the directions. It worked like a charm. Alco burbles, bell rings, horn blows, and there is a constant background hiss that sounds liked white noise. I don’t think it is part of the SFX package. Has anyone else dealt with this? Other than the hiss, it is great. I did see the MRC thread on this forum and wonder if there are QC issue. The layout is powered by NCE PowerCab.

Thanks,

Mike

2

As Mr Macky would say…MRC is bad, MMMMmmmmmkay?

The source of the Hiss is 3 fold…

  1. MRC has to utilize a small poor quality speaker with a small baffel.

  2. MRC’s Alco recording is sub par.

  3. MRC make horrible, unreliable decoders. I recommend you resist a repeat purchase.

David B

3

Read what people have to say about MRC sound decoders here, and then get a real sound decoder and put into your engine.

http://cs.trains.com/forums/1477135/ShowPost.aspx

4

The best way to avoid having problems with [xx(]MRC[xx(] decoders is to avoid buying them in the first place. Been there and learned the hard way.

5

i like mrc decoders, they work fine for me . for people like me who dont even know what a usb port is and without all that programming crap, its just fine. dont even know how to download digital pictures from my camera. but at least i got my trains to run.

6

I am not familiar with the MRC sound decoders (I’ve only owned one that never worked right), but:

Has the unit been connected to a different speaker?

Are you certain the dynamic brake sound (or similar) is turned off?

Perhaps the master volume could be turned down and the individual volumes of the prime mover, bell, whistle, etc. be turned up. It might fade it into the background.

7

I figured that was normal for MRC sound decoders. [banghead]

Rotor