Buying First DCC Engine with sound

[RRV&W]

I am thinking of buying an Athearn Genesis

SD70ACe in the April 2010 MRR Magizine . Are Athearn Genesis good engines , How is the sound ?. Would KATO be better. ? UpDate I have a DCC layout and engines using a Digitrax Super Chief system.

Thank you for any help.

[richg1998]

Athearn uses the SoundTraxx Tsunami technology. Very good decoder. I use the Tsunami decoders. Go to the Athearn site and look at the specs. Do some home work and you will not be disappointed.

Some new users by a sound loco, stick it on the truck and run into problems because they do not do any homework first. Think buying a new a new car and driving it without reading the instruction manual.

Same thing with the DCC controller you are going to buy.

If you want to run it on DC first, be advised the loco sound will start first and the loco will start to move a little later. You will most probably have to turn up the DC controller more than with a DC only loco.

Rich

 

[Hamltnblue]

 I agree with the tsunami.  Are you running DCC or DC?  If it's DC then you'll only get basic sounds.  Things like the horn, headlight control etc won't be there with DC.You will definitely be happy with it.

Also note that the minimum radius used should be about 22 inches. Anything less might cause you problems. 

[MisterBeasley]

Be wary of these.  Now, Athearn is putting Tsunamis into their engines, which is a good thing.  However, not so long ago, they were using MRC decoders, and the results were generally not favorable.  So, make sure that you get a Tsunami-equipped engine when you buy it.  You'll be happy if you do.

[joe1965]

First off Soundtraxx Tsunami decoder are the way to go. I have one MRC decoder, was already replaced after the first one failed under warranty, considered by many poor quality, many Digitrax decoders, solid and good running decoders but sound is average, but the Soundtraxx Tsunami sound decoder is awesome. Will not go wrong. I have had Athearn, since I received my first one about 32 years ago when I was 12, for years. I like them and have about 10 on my layout including 3 Athearn Genesis. The new Athearns are detailed compared to the blue box types.I purchased my first Kato loco a few weeks ago on Ebay and OMG this loco runs VERY smooth and VERY quiet compared to my Athearn Genesis.