What Sound Decoder is Athearn Puting in their SD45-2?
I just received my undic in the mail yesterday, put it on the tracks to test it out. Not bad. I don’t have a layout and I don’t have a DCC system yet so I put some track together and tested my engine on DC to hear the sound. I enjoyed it very much as so did my yound son so I pulled out my Atlas SD35 and my Tower 55 GEVO. To be all honest I think that the Atlas with the QSI Quantum System sounded the best. The was without tweeking anything, just running them straight from the boxes.
I know that Tower 55 uses Sound Fx from Digitrax but I couldn’t find anything about Athearn Genesis’ sound.
I’m guessing it’s by MRC. The Athearn F units with sound are MRC.
I have seen a lot of bad comments regarding the Athearn F units with MRC decoders and sound. But I have a Santa Fe F3 AB and they are the best running and sounding HO locos I have. True you must tweak the MRC sound a lot to get things right, but after changing a few CV’s it’s not all that bad. Certainly not as bad as many think it is. Maybe I was lucky as some seem to have operational problems too. But my Athearn AB way out performs my other locos (all with SoundTraxx DCC/Sound) including a P2K GP7, Intermountain F units, and a Bachmann 2-8-0.
I’m glad you like your SD45-2. What road name are you going to paint it? I would highly recommend getting DCC, as you can easily alter the MRC sounds to your liking.
I’m modeling MRL with BNSF so my plan is to paint this engine in MRL. I’m looking to get DCC but I’m waiting to have a layout first. I’m still in the air on what system I want. Something with cordless controls.
It is MRC, if you like the sound, enjoy the model. The MRC DCC drive portion is at the bottom of the the list for all decoders and needs to be replaced for the Challenger and Big Boy Genesis steam expecially.
Which SoundTraxx decoders are these? I’m guessing the LC series – if they were DSXs or, in the 2-8-0, a Tsunami, I think you’d have a different opinion. I have no MRCs, but I’ve got LCs, DSXs, and Tsunamis: to me, the LCs are ok, the DSXs are quite good, but the Tsunamis just blow all the rest away. And, if a diesel Tsunami ever appears, I expect it to be just terrific also.
Yes, LC’s in all. The LC’s have better sound quality, but are not as loud as MRC. I had to use a small speaker in the GP7, and you can tell []. I can’t figure out why my Athearn F’s run so much better then my other equipment though given that the MRC decoders are apparently very low for motor control. Might just be the Genesis motors.
Tsunami diesel would be awesome, but the wait is sure to be a while.
The guys at Soundtraxx are really great though. They helped set up the layout tours for the Narrow gauge convention in Durango this summer. Our G scale layout was featured on the tour, and the whole thing was a really great experience.
I have an Athearn Challenger which has a MRC decoder in it. Both my grandson and I, are pleased with the way it sounds and operates.
I have several MRC decoders installed in other locomotives on the BRVRR. A couple of steamers where they are used for motor and sound. In the diesels I use only the sound portion of the decoders with a Digitrax DH123 for motor control.
After 30-years of listening to marine diesels and gas turbines my hearing is probably not what it used to be but I find the MRC sound decoders to be adequate for most of my needs.
I have BLI steamers that sound awesome, Soundtraxx DSD-100LC steam and diesel decoders, DSX diesel decoders (ALCO) in addition to the MRCs mentioned above. While the BLI/QSI systems are the best IMHO, they all sound good to me.
Well, yes, they are MRC decoders but they are “special” or “Specific” decoders…as requested by Athearn. So they do not necessarily perform or have all the functions of the standard MRC decoders. I too have several different types of sound decoders and find the newer MRC’s (1634’s 1638’s, both diesel) to be pretty good, both in number of functions and quality of sound.
Of course, it varies with installation and I run sound in everything from Athearn BB’s to Tower 55’s.
]. I can’t figure out why my Athearn F’s run so much better then my other equipment though given that the MRC decoders are apparently very low for motor control. Might just be the Genesis motors.