Can anyone provide a summary of what is currently available for sound decoders and include pros and cons and approximate cost. I know the Tsunami by Soundtrax is finally available. How is it? How about Digitrax and MRC. I have a few locos waiting for decoders and I would like to install sound if possible.
I have three Tsunami equipped locos. One is the factory installed in the On30 Shay and the other two I installed. I like them very much. They can do so much, it will literally blow your mind. Best advice I can give you is to read the Tsunami technical reference. http://soundtraxx.com/documents/manuals/tsutechreference.pdf
I love the sound. I can’t say enough about how realistic the sounds are coming from such a small source. The thing I like best about it is that it can be programmed to make ALL the sounds automatically, just by using the throttle. How cool is that? It can even be programmed with reverb to sound like it’s in mountainous terrain. Just read over the manual. You won’t believe it.
While I can’t give a summary on all that is available, I did just get and install a Loksound decoder and have helped a couple of friends with their MRC and QSI. The Loksound, like the new Digitrax ones, are programmable. You specify which decoder you want for the intended purpose (specific prime mover, horn and bell) when you order it and they come pre-programmed with those sounds. If you want to change the sounds later, you need to purchase their proprietary equipment to do it just like Digitrax and upload new sounds. Even change the primemover. They also have steam as well. My decoder with a speaker set me back about $120 US.
The cost of the programming equipment is a bit much for my one loco, but if I had a whole fleet, I would probably do it. They have four functions on board as well as motor control. The sounds are good and not overly loud at full volume (like some sound ones I have heard). Also, like other sound decoders, shorts will make the decoder go through a startup sequence. I have programmed mine using a Zephyr without any extra boosters or equipment as some do. This decoder does not seem to be a power hog like others have reported their QSIs to be especially programming. F8 on the Loksound will take you through 4 different volume levels and if you press and hold F8 it will shut the prime mover sound off to where
This might help. You can ask this question ten times and probably get six or eight different answers since each person giving the answer is talking from their own experience.
If you look at the basic features and listen to the sounds at a show or LHS, you can decide on a price that is good for you.
http://www.tonystrains.com/productcompare/decoder_comparison.htm
Well, you didnt specify steam or diesel, but since I know diesel that is what I will review.
The Diesel tsunami isnt out yet. The steam version is wonderful though so im looking forward to it.
Loksound makes the best diesel decoders around. Nobody matches the sound quality, nobody matches the great motor circuit. And nobody matches the capability to have a huge library of sounds at your disposal. Digitrax is the only one that even comes close in that aspect. Loksound decoders are equipped with BEMF and load compensation which will quiet down your motors and make them run smoother than ever. with the sound off you will be amazed at how quiet your loco is (unless you have a driveline problem). The sound quality is top-notch. It obviously cant achieve the bass of the real thing but the sound is crisp, clear, and plenty loud if you crank it up. Thought the crispness decreases as the volume goes up, even at top volume it still sounds great. My favorite feature though is that you can order the decoder with the exact sounds for your locomotive. If you have the programmer you can change the sound later but you DO NOT need the programmer. The decoder can be fully tweaked on a normal program track using the CVs, the only thing you cant change is the sound files. Also the decoders are small which really helps in the installation.
Digitrax sound decoders are OK from what I have seen. There are programmable sounds but I havent looked at how big digitrax’s selection of sounds is. The decoders sound good, but not great. On the one I heard the prime mover was nice, as was the bell but the horn really didnt do it for me. These are a little bit cheaper alternative to Loksound and also a step down IMO.
MRC decoders arent worth the box they come in. The sound is poor, the motor circuit shoddy, and the whole mess is extremely finicky and unreliable. You shouldnt bother with them. Niether should Athearn BTW[xx(] I have had 3 MRC sound decoders and none of them lasted longer than 4 months, the fi