What are some opinions on the MRC Sound decoders. Don’t they have three types now?
I bought a couple because of thier low cost. both failed within 2 months. Stay away.
I have two of the 1627 steam decoders. I have had one installed for a year now with no problems. The second one had a problem when I got it (the sound would cut out after a minute or so). I think it had to do with the decoder running hot. I contacted MRC customer support, sent it back in and I have not had a problem with the replacement at all. I have had that one for 5 months. The sound in the 1627 steam decoder is generic, but it keeps my 16 month old happy. I have not tried the new Brilliance decoders, but for the same price you can get the new Tsunami.
Model Rectifier Corporation has long been known as one of the best power supply companies in the business. I have often wondered why they risked ruining their reputation for quality with their cheap, shoddy DCC products.
When MRC first ventured into the field of DCC, they were selling a diesel locomotive with an installed decoder, and had a special introductory offer on a bulk pack of 5 decoders. The decoder in the locomotive was defective, and 3 out of 5 of the other decoders were faulty. Even though other brands of decoders were still selling for around $50 each at the time, I would not touch another MRC decoder.
We had a member of our local HO scale club who kept purchasing MRC sound decoders even though the other members told him he was just throwing money away. He must have went through 10 of them over a three year period. Only one or two still function – the others are all burned out.
Tony’s Train Exchange has had good things to say about the new MRC Brilliance sound decoder, which you can read at http://www.tonystrains.com
Until I can personally see and hear one, I’m sticking with the ones I trust – SoundTraxx and QSI. Athearn’s use of the MRC sound system is the reason I never purchased their Challenger. I like the Athearn Challenger, but not the MRC sound system that is in it.
I hope that MRC is finally getting their act together with their new Prodigy Advanced and Brilliance sound decoder, but it sure has taken them a long time to wake up and smell the coffee.
Compared to everything else, including mouth sounds, they SUCK.
I only have experience with the original issue steam sound decoder. It works only intermitantly and even then not very well. After trying to program the CV that is supposed to adjust the chuff rate even at it’s fastest rate I could only get about 1 chuff per wheel full rotation. I will not buy another at any price.
Bob DeWoody
have bought 2 and both failed within a week or 2 i now go only already equipped locos
Has anyone thought about sending this thread to MRC. We as the consumer do have a voice, all we have to do is speak.
Fergie
I have a MRC #1627 steam decoder installed in my Bachmann Niagara. It has worked flawlessly for nearly a year now. I have the #1626 diesel decoder installed in a Athearn BB F7. This decoder lived under the BRVRR layout for nearly a year before it was moved to the F7. Never a problem.
Those of you experiencing sound cut out because of heat, try installing a small resistor (10 -15 ohm 1/8 watt) in the sound circuit. This not only cuts down on the heat, it also lessens the sound to tolerable levels. This fix was posted on Tony’s Train Exchange for the first generation MRC decoders. It applies to the second generation decoders if you experience a heat problem.
I like the MRC decoders. The have more sounds and better motor control than the Soundtraxx DSD-100LC and cost less, by far, than the DSX or Tsunami and they come with a speaker.
Sound is in the ear of the beholder. After 30-years on ships with diesels and gas-turbines pounding on my ears I probably can’t appreciate the finer points of sound reproduction. Even to me, they are not as good as the QSI system decoders in my BLI locos, but the MRC decoders work good enough for me in my limited applications.
I’ve used both the AD 370 and the newer 1626 sound decoders and the biggest problem for me is fitting them into the locomotives. I haven’t experienced them cutting out or frying. I have had a 370 fail but it was bad from the start and replaced by MRC, who have provided excellent support on all DCC. The sound level on the 1600 series can be adjusted with the CV. NOw, why one of the sounds is “all aboard” is a bit beyond me but I’m sure passenger train enthusiasts will like it.
I’ve been to the MRC site and can’t find an listing for sound systeams for ho loco’s where did I miss them???
JIM
At MRC’s web site click on “train control and sound systems”. When the next screen opens up, click on “DCC” in the yellow box. Then a drop down menu appears and you can select the different sound decoders.
For manuals and more info, click on “resources” then select "train control & sound systems to view the manuals etc.