So I’m looking into my decoder options for my Bachmann Spectrum GP30.
So far I’ve identified:
TCS WOWsound 121 Diesel has an EMD 567 Turbo
Digitrax is programmable but requires an expensive programmer. SOund quality is unknown
Soundtraxx of course has one.
Have I missed any manufacturers that offer 567 Turbo sounds?
You should probably measure the inside of your long hood before you buy. I dont own a Bachmann GP30 but GPs tend to have limited space compared to an E unit. Also remember you need a speaker. The wowsound 121 also needs a mother board or pin connection to plug into. A 101 diesel would probably be better in this situation that a 121. I have no experience with Soundtrax diesel decoders. I won’t touch digitrax with a “39 1/2ft pole”.
I have a Atlas Master Gold Alco S-2 with a Loksound decoder, I like the sound quality and operation.
Check LokSound, ESU.
Don’t forget, SoundTraxx Tsunami is old school, about ten years old.
Wow and LokSound seem to have better running qualities from different forums I have been watching.
Not sure about the SoundTraxx Econami decoder though.
Rich
Digitrax does not require an expensive programmer - any reputable dealer will load the file you want when ordering. And it’s not expensive anyway - it’s a full standalone programmer that can program any decoder and just happens to load sounds in Digitrax sound decoders. I use one as my program/test track and I don;t even have any Digitrax sound decoders.
Loksound has a 567 turbo as well as a 567 non-turbo, They also do not REQUIRE an expensive programmer, you can buy them preloaded with whatever sound project you want. But I do have one of those as well, because I only use Loksound decoders now - because I can load whatever sounds I need in one, not worry about say a 9 pin EMD being out of stock. And it’s easy to change things around - the Alco 244 set did not have an M3RT1 horn as an option, but the Loksound sound library did so I simply swapped the horn for the M3RT1 to match my prototype. Flexibility.
–Randy
I would go with either the Loksound or the TCS Wow for your GP30. They will give you much better sound and smoother running than the Tsunami.
Tom
I have a LifeLike Proto 2000 GP30 in the queue for conversion. I will use a LokSound Aux6 Select because I like them. Plus dual sugarcube speakers (net 4 ohms, good or the selects). The dual speakers will require some milling of the weight. You can get dual sugarcubes in most HO narrow hood diesels.
While I like the Selects, I’m finding it sometimes interesting to find an exact prototype sound. For the GP30, Wikipedia notes they were 2250HP EMD 567D3 turbo 16 cyl. ESU has a 73406 item that is just that, but they told me to skip it as it is an older, lower quality recording which they consider “obsolete”. Their other better ones seem to have a compromise or two, blown vs turbo, C vs D, etc. I’ll make a decision with the plan to refine later as I desire. I plan to buy a LokProgrammers so I can revise (swap) sound files; e.g., they just came out with dual motor E-units so I want to upgrade those.
Is this a split frame model? I did one with a Soundtraxx decoder and 1/2" round speaker. I milled the frame to make room for the keep alive cap( I used 2 wired in parralell) Speaker in rear of loco. Joe
I’ve decided to go with Digitrax equipment. I managed to get the PR3 for $44 shipped, and the decoders are dirt cheap, at least the 8-bit ones. Considering I’m planning on doing a 3-5 unit consist with these, I need to conserve money, but I want all that racket from the locos.
The cheap decoder/speaker sets from Digitrax will work just fine, having speakers that are 9mm tall.
Penny wise…
I bought two Digitrax sound decoders that I installed in a pair of Kato F-40PH some years ago. As you say, “all that racket from the locos” is correct. They were the worst sounding decoders I’ve ever owned. I ripped them out and installed Loksound Selects… Much happier now!
I hope you have better luck with them than I did, Ed
DOn;t get the 8 bit ones. The 16 bit X series ones are as little as $5 more and are 100% better decoders (assuming you use a sound project made for them - loading the old 8 bit junk in the 16 bit decoders does nothing, in fact it probably sounds WORSE than when used on the 8 bit ones. There are now may advanced 16 bit projects available thanks to John McMaster’s work in remastering sound files to higher quality and then building up sound projects that take advantage of the X series features. They aren’t so bad. What’s bad is they continue to sell the horrible 8 bit ones and there isn’t always a clear distinction made between what the various sound projects are.
–Randy
You may be right. I may be crazy. But it just might be a $40 decoder I’m looking for. Seriously though, several folks at the lcal club have them, and they sound okay.
…then why ask here? If you think they sound ok…then you should have avoided waisting everyone’s valuable time on these forums. Digitrax sound decoders are very lacking in their motor control, sound quality and fedelity. They are, as my kids would put it, very 10 years ago. Loksound, TCS and to a lesser extent Soundtraxx are much better options.
Then…okay, it is. Hope the Digitrax sound decoder works out for you, fiery.
Tom
Worse than an MRC decoder, Ed? I heard one at a friend’s house a few years ago that was installed in an F-Unit. It sounded like a flying saucer taking off. [+o(]
Tom
Definitely not worse than MRC. I have an MRC and Soundbug, with a proper sound project the Soundbug is much better - plus I know what specific horns it has.
–Randy
The only sound decoder i have right now is the dual-567 MRC decoder, which I think is terrific. The only problem is that it’s so loud that you can’t hear anything over it.
If it’s too loud turn down the volume. If you don’t have the manual, and you know what decoder it is, go to MRC’s web site . They usually have the manuals you can download. Joe
Huh, looks like my command station throws an error when I try to set value 49. I think I may need a new DCC system.
Lack of ability to program an MRC decoder doesn’t mean you need a new DCC system. If you are getting a no acknowledgement error, it’s probably just the MRC decoder not supporting readback. Or needing more power on the program track. Volume settings should be done in Ops Mode on the main anyway, so you can immediately hear the difference.
What DCC system are you using?
–Randy