Anyone know anything about these? MRC Steam Decoders
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5987378981&category=11644&ssPageName=WDVW&rd=1
That seems mighty cheap to me. It’s a motor AND sound decoder WITH speaker. Is it crap? I have a Bachamnn Spectrum three truck Shay I’m getting ready to put a decoder and sound in. I want to keep cost down, but not at the rate to affect quality. Any help is greatly appreciated.
the MRC is the lowest priced sound decoder available , and it is monophonic (if you’re ringing the bell you can’t hear the engine chuff sounds etc.) . MRC is coming out with a new liine of decoders so these are being discounted , you can buy them for less than that ebay link http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=82873
now for the bad news . it’s not going to fit in the bachmann 3 truck shay . the decoder is too long and you’d have to get a smaller speaker .
as far as i know the only sound decoder that’s going to fit the shay is the one specifically designed for it by soundtraxx . at about 3 times the price . i have one on order at the LHS for my shay , been waiting about a month so far
Here’s my two cents:
I have one of those MRC Steam sound decoders, as well as one of their diesel sound decoders.
The first one I had was the steam decoder. It lasted 1/2 hour and then stopped working. I sent it in for repair, and they sent me a new one back - I think it took about 2 weeks to get the replacement.
Anyway, I haven’t put the replacement decoder into a loco yet.
The diesel decoder has been working great for about 2 months…
As far as sound quality goes, they are fair… But no where near Quantum or SoundTrax. Basically, they are pretty “generic”…
You kinda answered two questions at once. One of them, I didn’t even ask. So, these only play one sound at a time? Does that mean the Soundtraxx can play them all at once…or at least more than one at the time? I’ve looked around and the lowest I’ve seen the Soundtraxx is right around a hundred bucks or so.
In October, Digitrax will be coming out with their new sound decoders. They will be much cheaper $50-$75 and have a lot more features. I’m waiting.
BigRedneckBob,
Check out Tony’s Train Xchange and Litchfield Station.
It’s been a long while since I checked, but both these reputable vendors had the Soundtraxx “LC” (low cost) decoders going for under $100. I hope they still do. These “LC” units sound better than the MRC decoders…and yes you can play different sounds simultaneously.
Cheers.
I’m looking forward to the new Digitrax and Loksound decoders this fall. It’s tough but “I’m-gonna-be-a-bugeting” !
Thank you all for your replies. They have been enough for me to make the decision to go with the Soundtraxx unit. Are yall always this friendly with advice, or are you just being nice cause I’m new???
good decision !
yes , we’re always this helpful . i think some of us read (and write) the forum from work , so we’re really just answering because we’re bored at work hahahah !