Hi All , How is the MRC decoders and sound decoders . I have three engines , 2 IHC FM diesel (corkey’s Carnival engine) need decoders and sound , the other a GP50 diesel just needs sound .
Any input will be great . Joe
I do not like them. They are troublesome to program with other system (they even have a FAQ paper on problems programming with Lenz and Digitrax systems). And worse the sound is loud and poor at best. If you want specifics I could post the long story of my brand new Genesis 4-6-6-4 that moved 6 feet using channel 3 onto the programming track and has not worked since.
They offer a lot of chimes and bells, but only a few seemed decent.
I sent mine back because it had no DC mode, and because I had been
reading that they tended to fail.
My NCE seemed to program it OK.
Hal
You probably would not want to install more expensive decoders in your inexpensive equipment. They will probably cost more than the engines themselves. And setting up these engines to run on DCC will probably be more trouble that its worth. It might be an idea to seek out an engine with sound already installed, then go from there. At least you would know things are all meant to operate together.
Bob Boudreau
I’ve heard MRC sound decoders before and did not like the diesel versions at all.
Soundtraxx LC decoders are a good bargain since they’ve come down a lot in price. The sounds offered are much more accurate and in your case the Fairbanks Morse sound version is available. However, carefully check out your motor and drive as most IHC’s that I’ve seen have a low performance mechanism.
I’m assuming your GP50 is an Athearn, which would use the EMD 2nd generation decoder.
Thanks everyone .
I was leery about them when the MRC are mostly the only one for sale on eBay .
I thinking of using Soundtraxx DSD-100LC Generic diesel from Tony’s Train .
FundyNorthern I agree with you about spending too much . I bought the engines off eBay for $32 for both and both are new , and the Lok sound units are $105 each . Well thats the cheapest I could find them on the net.
AntonioFP45 My GP 50 is a Bachmann and also not a very pricey engine . It does have DCC already . I going with Soundtraxx DSX Sound Only but don’t know what sound to geet yet .
Thanks again Joe
Joe, understood.
RE: Your GP50, what railroad is it in? Soundtraxx horn selection is nice but limited. If you have a CSX or Chessie System unit, then the K5 would be accurate. Western roads like the UP and BN tended to use the 3 chimer Leslie S series from the 1970s forward.
Though, yes, they used various other models as well but 3 chimers were heavily favored due to cheaper maintenance. Soundtraxx offers a nice sounding S3 EMD Dash 2 as well.
Hope this helps!
I think they’re fine for what they are. I have 3 of them, and had no problems programming them (Lenz) or using them.
They’re certainly the “chevy” of sound decoders… They work fine, IMHO, but there are certainly better ones. I think they’re a great option for moderate-price locos where you may face a choice between buying another decoder worth as much or more than the loco itself, or going without sound.
Thanks again gents .
AntonioFP45 The GP50 is Southern. Black with white band around bottom of engine.
I have been trying to figure out what sound to buy ,since none list the GP50 , but for me the downloadable sounds on the Soundtraxx site do not work . They download fine but dead on opening .
Joe
Go with cheap soundtraxx, MRC decoders are nuthin’ but trouble. They may be improving now, but at this point steer clear.
Disclaimer: This is my opinion and you may get better results on your railroad.
Other than poor sound and below average drive for the motor, they are great.
Joe,
Southern used a variety of horns but seemed to favor the Nathan P5. Unfortunately Soundtraxx doesn’t offer it. A “reasonable” alternative that is available from Soundtraxx is the M5 which the Southern also used on older units. The Nathan P5 was actually an upgrade from the M5, with the P5 sounding similar but more “trumpet like” .
A friend of mine installed a Soundtraxx decoder with the M5 horn in an E8. Sounds sweet!
Try this website to listen to prototype horn sounds. The P5, M5 and K5LA sounds are included.
[:p][:D] Bangert! Man, you caught me way off guard! You just about made me cough up dinner!
Good one![:p][;)]
Thanks All for your input and help .
I think I’m going with : DSX EMD 1 (non-turbo) Nathan M5 5-chime sound only decoder by SoundTraxx with Speaker oval 0.79 x 1.58 x 0.32 inch 8 ohms 89 dB 1.5 watt .
Thank again Joe
Joe,
Please keep us posted on your progress.
Given my low opinion of MRC’s sound decoders, if I were to have said that, I’d owe GM an apology for that analogy[:)]. Chevies are far better cars than MRC sound decoders are decoders.
…and that’s unusual since I work for one of Chevy’s competitors and am not naturally inclined to say things in defense of GM or its products…
Fritz Milhaupt
http://www.wyomingyard.com
Well the Soundtraxx DSD-100LC (diesel) decoders came in yesterday. Installed one in a IHC Corley’s FM engine. All went well but I think it is too qiet . I have played with CVs and even added a second speaker and both speakers are in enclosures . Either I’m missing something or I got what I paid for .
I don’t think I will go with Soundtraxx for my GP50 . Might save for the Lok sound.
J,
According to info that I read 2 years back, LC stands for Low Cost. The Soundtraxx DSX is supposed to provide a more robust sound due to the amplifier being more powerful. But the DSX has to be used in conjunction with a motor control decoder.
I didn’t mention this earlier since it seemed like you were looking for a lower cost option to install sound in your units. Of course, buying a DSX and a Digitrax 123 would increase your investment. As mentioned above, you might wind up spending more $$ than what the unit is worth.
I’m sorry I’m not an electronic troubleshooter but you can e-mail or call Tony’s Trains or Litchfield Station. Even if you didn’t buy products from them, they’re willing to respond to e-mail inquiries asking for help.
I under stood about the price . I was wondering if I missed something for the volume . I did by both decoders from Litchfield . He had the best price ,free shipping and was real fast .
Is the sound only from Soundtraxx better or a good choice for my GP50 .It too is only a $40 engine and the sound only Soundtraxx is about $60 . I think 60 is a good price not too much better than the Lok that start at $100 and up .
Thanks for your help AntonioFP45
I’ll try to get some new photo up on my site today .
Thanks Joe
On another thread I posted that a friend of mine, a very sharp computer technician, installed one of those decoders in an HO GE unit. He demonstrated it for me. While the sound was very clear, to me the volume was low, even after making adjustments. The bell was the loudest, sharpest sound. I was dissappointed that I could barely hear the famous GE diesel “chug-chug”, or the K5 horn. The sound was very accurate…but way too subdued.
It was after this I learned of the difference between the Soundtraxx decoders. Bruce had explained that the DSX, which had a more powerful amplifier, was actually the “sound half” of the old DSD 150 decoder, which was Soundtraxx’s “premier” DCC Sound/Motor decoder. The DSD 150 was retired sometime in 2003-2004 in anticipation of the Tsunami, which of course, turned into a story in itself.
It was the same friend, mentioned above, that installed a DSX in an E unit. The sound was loud and clean. He did a great job with the baffling and in my humble opinion the unit was almost as loud as a BLI locomotive. [:D][8D]
The DSX continues to be available and if the diesel Tsunami is delayed further I’m going to try a DSX in an Athearn GE U-Boat.[;)]