sound systems

[Anonymous]

Hi guys,
What do you guys know about the Quantum sound system? From what I found out it appears to be quite good. What dcc system works well with them? What is the quality of the sound as compared to other makes? These are quite pricey so is the quality worth the extra money? Thanks for all the help..

[cacole]

Quantum is the sound system used by Lionel, Broadway Limited, Athearn, and Bachmann for their locomotives, and is top-notch. The problem is that you probably cannot afford to add one to a locomotive. Manufacturers no doubt get a signiticant volume discount when they use the Quantum system because Broadway Limited doesn't charge as much for their locomotives as a Quantum system alone costs if you try to buy just the sound system.

[cacole]

Correction to my message: Athearn does not use the QSI sound system, but a cheaper one from MRC that, from what I have read, is not as good. In reference to your original question about what DCC systems work with a QSI system -- all of them except the really cheap beginner's systems like Bachmann, Atlas, or MRC, because they cannot control the sound functions. Any high level DCC system such as Digitrax, Lenz, NCE, EasyDCC, etc. will work just fine with QSI sound systems.

[rrinker]

QSI doesn't sell the sound decoders seperately - yet!

However, about the only one offering the same loco sound/no sound is Atlas. And the price difference is only about $100 (street prices). So for $100 you get a quality sound unit that's also a motor decoder AND the speakers. The non-sound Atlas Trainmaster doesn;t have even a motor decoder in it, so you have to add at least $14 to the price just got get it DCC controlled, and that's without the sound. The $100 price difference is less than the cost of a Soundtraxx sound/motor decoder, let alone a pair of decent speakers.

The only cheaper sound decoders are MRC, and quite frankly they are junk. No specific sounds, just generic steam and diesel, AND they lack polyphonic capability, so the chuffs stop whent he horn blows, and the bell stops when you blow the horn, etc. There's a reason they are only $50 or so.

Take the average cost of a Soundtraxx decoder and speakers, about $125 or so for the ones that come as complete kits, away fromt he price of a BLI locomotive, and then realize what you are getting there - a very well detailed and smooth runnign piece PLUS high quality sound - keep in mind you get get the GG1 from Tony's right now on sale for like $139. You are either getting the sound free, or a free locomotive with a $139 sound system. I dunno how they can sell it so cheap.

--Randy

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys, I don't mind spending the money as long as it is worth it and the sound is good. I have never yet limited myself to the money alloted for anything. I always seem to spend 2 or 3 times as much as I intended.

[rrinker]

Believe me, if I modelled the PRR I'd be bankrupt now. I'm waiting anxiously for the Reading T1 which is rumored to be coming. I really hope it is.

$%^@ Atlas, they're coming out with a Reading Trainmaster, and after seeing my father in law's CNJ one run, wow, I want one. But they are doing a PASSENGER version for the Reading. I want FREIGHT darnit!

Heaven help me if someone releases a Reading RS-3 with sound. For that matter, Heaven help me if someone would relase a Reading RS-3 in plastic period. Stewarts are out of production and when you DO find one they sell for double the original price.

--Randy