Anyone out there installed either the Digitrax SDH164D or SDN144PS sound decoders yet? I still haven't found enough information about these decoders yet to decide whether I should try them or not. I simply don't have the money to invest in Loksound or Tsunami decoders and want to know whether these Digitrax decoders produce acceptable performance or should I just skip adding sound to mpre of my existing locos. I currently have three MDC 2-6-2 locos with the early MRC #1627 steam sound decoders. No failures yet after several years and the sound is acceptable to me. Would the Digitrax decoders be similar, better or worse than these early MRC sound decoders?
Hornblower
I tried the SDH164 on my 4-4-0 steam engine, was VERY disappointed, every time it made the chuff sound the engine would slow down, very jerky. I also tried it with the diesel sound, every time I honked the horn it would slow the engine down.
Called Digitrax, we tried a few things that didn't help, I then returned it to Digitrax, they sent me a regular decoder without question, now I'm a happy camper again!!!
Never tried an MRC, so this is my 2 cents on the SDH164.
I have a SDH164D that I installed in my Rivarossi Challenger 4-6-6-4. I have been disappointed in the sounds for the chugg/chuff? because it sounds like a machine gun when it gets up to a reasonable speed. At slow speed it is good. The whistle is too 'toy train like' and there is a random air compressor or pump that cuts in. The sound files were downloaded from the Digitrax site specifically for the 3985 Challenger and they don't sound any different than the default ones supplied with the decoder. I also had some volume issues but fixed it with a replacement 8 ohm bass speaker and also using the Soundloader software. If Digitrax would put some better sound files on their website it might be OK then. As it is, I am going to have to wait until I can afford a Tsunami decoder. The Digitrax decoder could be a reasonable substitute if they would have better options. I haven't tried the diesel sounds so I don't know it they are any better.
- Bob
Life is what happens while you are making other plans!
How is the volume level on the SDH164? Is it kind of normal, like a SoundBug, or almost inaudible like the SFX0416?
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
The sound level or volume is OK but not as good as it could be. I replaced the 32 ohm supplied speaker with an 8 ohm bass speaker and also increased the volume using the Soundloader software. It is now acceptable for my ears and layout size (20'x20').
Thanks for the feedback. It would appear that I should continue to wait for another sound decoder option.
I guess it is really a matter of what you are willing to accept as 'reasonable' sound in a small locomotive. Until I actually heard it in my own engine I couldn't evaluate other's opiinions. Having a BLI hudson to compare to makes all the difference in what I now consider 'reasonable'.Unfortunately you can't go to your local hobby shop and test it or hear it.