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A good source for sound decoders.

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  • Member since
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A good source for sound decoders.
Posted by Allegheny2-6-6-6 on Saturday, December 12, 2009 11:02 PM

 I have a bunch of locomotives some DCC ready and some that need to be converted. I eventually wold like everything to have sound but I know it may have to be done in stages. Put in a standard decoder just to get up and running and then something like a Digitrax sound bug or similar product later on. So I am looking for a reasonably priced source for decoders. I am leaning towards Tsunami as I have one locomotive with one and like it and I have heard nothing but good things from people who have them. I had originally was going with QSI but have heard a lot of negative feedback so I think I'll stick with Tsunami's for now.

 

 

Anyone have a good place to buy them form who doesn't want a body part or your first born male child?

Thanks

Just my 2 cents worth, I spent the rest on trains. If you choked a Smurf what color would he turn?
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Posted by richg1998 on Saturday, December 12, 2009 11:52 PM

Expect to pay at least $110.00 US for the Tsunami. I have not found cheaper. I buy from Bruce at Litchfield. Free shipping over $75.00 and quick delivery and very good support. He is also in the SoundTraxx forum.

I buy the Micro-Tsunami. Speakers are separate. No NMRA connectors on the Micros. You have to add your own.

I also buy the LokSound-Micro. The LokSound decoders come with speaker, 6 pin and 8 pin connectors.

If you have not done this before, get Kapton tape and shrink tube, resistors for LED's.

I also bought ten feet of each NMRA color for extra wiring which includes purple for speaker wiring.


There is plenty of info with links to the manufactures sites. Do your homework first before ordering. I have no idea of your capabilities.

Bruce does answer email.

I do not benefit from any suggestions.

Tony's Trains also sells decoders.

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

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Posted by Allegheny2-6-6-6 on Sunday, December 13, 2009 12:55 AM

 Rich,

I am familiar with both places, I guess my LHS isn't too bad as he'll sell me Tsunami's for $90.00 I've installed decoders before and have some of the materials you mentioned. I was debating on going with TCS decoders which they sell on an average for less then $20 and then do the sound installs later on down the road. Not sure if this is being penny wise pound foolish or not.

I like to try to plan things a few steps a head of where I am presently workign on the layout so when I want to take a break form the layout it self I figure installing decoders would be a productive way to still be working on the layout so to speak.

Just my 2 cents worth, I spent the rest on trains. If you choked a Smurf what color would he turn?
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Posted by jbinkley60 on Sunday, December 13, 2009 7:07 AM

Allegheny2-6-6-6

 I have a bunch of locomotives some DCC ready and some that need to be converted. I eventually wold like everything to have sound but I know it may have to be done in stages. Put in a standard decoder just to get up and running and then something like a Digitrax sound bug or similar product later on. So I am looking for a reasonably priced source for decoders. I am leaning towards Tsunami as I have one locomotive with one and like it and I have heard nothing but good things from people who have them. I had originally was going with QSI but have heard a lot of negative feedback so I think I'll stick with Tsunami's for now.

 

 

Anyone have a good place to buy them form who doesn't want a body part or your first born male child?

Thanks

I've been upgrading my fleet also.  I primarily have been using Digitrax Soundbugs and QSI Revolution decoders (12 Soundbugs and 3 QSI Revolution decoders so far with another 12-15 to go).  Tsunamis are nice but I don't believe you can download new sound files to them.  As for sound quality, much of it does depend on the recording, but I believe the QSI and Tsumani decoders have superior sound.  QSI has a wide selection of sound files available for download.  The Digitrax Soundbugs are easy to install, sound good and they have models for about every modern locomotive.  Almost everything new I buy, I buy with sound already installed.  Avoid MRC decoders.  You may be tempted by the price but they are lacking in features and a number of folks have had issues with their reliability.  I've got a Genesis SD60M I'll be pulling the MRC decoder out and replacing it with a QSI Revolution. 

I too use Litchfield Station as my primary source for decoders, speakers, enclosures etc.  Bruce provides top notch service.

 

Engineer Jeff NS Nut
Visit my layout at: http://www.thebinks.com/trains/

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Posted by MisterBeasley on Sunday, December 13, 2009 9:49 AM

If you want to end up with Tsunamis, start with Tsunamis.  I recently installed one in a Proto GP9, and I love it.

A while back, I bought a Digitrax PR2 programmer unit (before the PR3 came out) and I use it to put custom sounds in Soundbugs.  (I also have a couple of SFX0416's, but I find them way too quiet and wouldn't recommend them.)

If your goal is to equip all of your engines with DCC and then slowly migrate, think about the Digitrax 165 decoders for motor control.  These allow direct plug-in of Soundbug decoders, and don't give you problems when trying to program the two decoders simultaneously.

My GP9 runs in a consist with another sound-free Geep, so I get the full benefits of DCC plus sound, and the single Tsunami is enough to make you forget that you don't have sound in every engine.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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Posted by cacole on Sunday, December 13, 2009 10:24 AM

 Ulrich Models in Colorado is cheaper than Bruce or Tony, and they ship by U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail.

http://www.ulrichmodels.biz/servlet/StoreFront 

A Tsunami can be had for slightly under $80. 

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Posted by Allegheny2-6-6-6 on Sunday, December 13, 2009 11:25 AM

 Mr. B good food for thought on the Digitrax 165 sounds like something right up my alley. These days the simpler it is the better I like it., Oh not to worry I have found the perfect use for MRC sound decoders, I use em to scrap the bottom of my shoe's if I happen to step in something while cleaning up after the dogs. Need I say more?

 

Thank all for you input always appreciated.

Just my 2 cents worth, I spent the rest on trains. If you choked a Smurf what color would he turn?
  • Member since
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Posted by richg1998 on Sunday, December 13, 2009 12:10 PM

cacole

 Ulrich Models in Colorado is cheaper than Bruce or Tony, and they ship by U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail.

http://www.ulrichmodels.biz/servlet/StoreFront 

A Tsunami can be had for slightly under $80. 

 

Prices have come down since I ordered. 

I just went to Ulrich and Litchfield and did everything but click on Buy Now.

Micro Tsunami

Ulrich  $111.95 shipping 10.66

Litchfield $111.96 free shiping

Tsunami

Ulrich  95.20 shipping 10.66

Litchfield 95.30 free shipping 

Pretty close but shipping increases with Ulrich as you add items. Two decoders, the shipping was 20.17. Maybe you have an inside with Ulrich.

Rich 

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

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Posted by cacole on Sunday, December 13, 2009 12:38 PM

 No way is shipping going to be $20 unless you selected FedEx Overnight or some such premium service.  U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail should be only $2 or $3.

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Posted by richg1998 on Sunday, December 13, 2009 1:13 PM

cacole

 No way is shipping going to be $20 unless you selected FedEx Overnight or some such premium service.  U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail should be only $2 or $3.

 

 

My Bad. OK, that is better. The default shipper Ulrich shows is UPS. I then saw the option for 2.39. Much better. I sometimes forget some on line companies try to get you to use the higher shipping charge.

Obvious Man was not near me at the time or he would have wacked me in the head and would have told me to look closer the first time.

I was using my mini laptop and switched to the standard laptop and things showed up much better.

I have bookmarked the Ulrich site.

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

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