I’ve been looking for an HO DCC switcher for my layout for a long time and the new Con-Cor MP15 might be what I need but it does not have sound. Since I’ve never installed a souind module I’m a little hesitant to buy it. Has anyone installed a sound module in this loco? I’m thinking about a LokSound but not really sure which one I need. There is an article in the Sept MR magazine about how to install one in an Atlas loco but I don’t know whether the installation would be the same or similiar in the Con-Cor. Can anyone give me any guidance?
If you want an MP15 with sound, I strongly suggest buying the Atlas version. It has MUCH better detail and a MUCH better drive than the Concor unit. Also, the sound chip is very nice.
David B
I’m not familiar with this model, but I’d agree with David that factory-installed sound will generally be the better way to go when buying a new engine. Looking at prices, the incremental cost of the decoder, speaker and enclosure is as much as, and sometimes more than, the upgrade to a sound-equipped purchase. Besides that, installing a sound system in an engine that wasn’t designed for it can be quite a job.
Atlas doesn’t have any road names I want (MKT, Santa Fe, MP, or UP). What about the Athearn Gensis MP15AC - they have one with DCC and sound but I don’t know what sound system it uses.
Athearn sound units use MRC decoders. They are horrible in terms of reliability. If you wanted, you could pick up an Athearn unit without sound and install a LokSound Micro quite easily into it.
David B
Athearn’s website indicates that they have a DC version of the MP15AC which is “DCC and sound ready” but no other real information. I assume this means they have an NMRA connector (I sent them an e-mail to verify). Putting my own decoder in might be the way to go if its a simple plugin. Which LokSound decoder would you recommend? If I ready the LokSound website correctly one decoder handles both sound and function (speed etc). I’ve also heard nothing good about MRC decoders.
Unfortunately, it is not a simple plug in. Installing sound into a small unit like that takes some shoe-horning.
David B
Actually, installing sound in the Athearn MP15 wasn’t THAT much of a big deal.
The QSI Quantum Revolution fits where the original light board was. You need to fabricate a way to hold it in place and make sure the bottom of the board does not short out against anything. A strip of thin plastic under the board works.
Speaker wise, IF you are willing to give up the weight in the front of the loco a 16 x 35 oval in an enclosure fits. Sound comes right though those nice grills.
The only other thing you encounter is those 2 light bulbs Athearn loves to use. If you put them in series, they will light, but still on the dim side. I’ve seen on QSI site that different surface mount resistors are available from them to modify the board so you get a little bit brighter light.
Maybe someday I’ll get brave enough to try soldering surface mount resistors.