Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

So I noticed Walthers P2K is switching to Soundtraxx for their DCC w/sound

1264 views
11 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Pa.
  • 3,361 posts
So I noticed Walthers P2K is switching to Soundtraxx for their DCC w/sound
Posted by DigitalGriffin on Wednesday, March 2, 2011 2:37 PM

So what's your opinion on this?

As much as I love the soundtraxx tsunamis, I do believe this is a step down, not up.

QSI can drive lower ohm speakers

QSI has slightly better lighting effects

QSI has slightly better BEMF

Their are known issues Soundtraxx diesel decoders and the ROM can not be upgraded.

It's not a huge difference, but it's like going from an Caddy to an Oldsmobile.  Both are good cars, but are in a different class.

 

 

Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions

Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!

Moderator
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Northeast OH
  • 17,249 posts
Posted by tstage on Wednesday, March 2, 2011 2:54 PM

DG,

A few months ago I bought one of the Atlas HH600/660s with the newer QSI decoder in it.  Boy!  What a sweet running and sounding switcher! Yes  The BEMF is definitely an improvement over the older Quantum 1 and 1a decoders.

I don't have a single locomotive with a Soundtraxx decoder in it.  I have, however, been quite impressed with the sound quality when I've heard them in person.  But...given a choice between better sound or better low-speed response?  I'll take the low-speed response - everytime!

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Wednesday, March 2, 2011 3:16 PM

SO, it  is not a big deal with me. I use LokSound, QSI and Tsunami. The all have plus and minuses. Not interested in arguing.

We are playing with toys.

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.

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Wednesday, March 2, 2011 5:26 PM

This is purely a financial decision because Walthers can get Tsunami decoders cheaper than QSI -- but they won't pass any of the savings along to the purchasers.

 

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Sweden
  • 1,468 posts
Posted by Graffen on Wednesday, March 2, 2011 5:33 PM

I wonder why they didn´t cheap out totally and went for a Digitrax or a MRC.......

I think there is some differences between QSI and Tsunami, but I find the Tsunami easier to program and handle.

Swedish Custom painter and model maker. My Website:

My Railroad

My Youtube:

Graff´s channel

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Pa.
  • 3,361 posts
Posted by DigitalGriffin on Wednesday, March 2, 2011 6:06 PM

Graffen

I wonder why they didn´t cheap out totally and went for a Digitrax or a MRC.......

I think there is some differences between QSI and Tsunami, but I find the Tsunami easier to program and handle.

The difference would have been way noticeable then.

I do think Soundtraxx does mix their recordings very very carefully for the optimum sound.  And I also think they are easier to use.

But in terms of flexibility, QSI has it hands down.

It might create some differences when pairing an P2K QSI engine against  P2K Tsunami engine both operational and sound wise.

It's really a minor annoyance, at best, when consisting them, but a problem none the less.  Again, what button on which train makes what sound? 

Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions

Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Pa.
  • 3,361 posts
Posted by DigitalGriffin on Wednesday, March 2, 2011 6:08 PM

BTW: Rich, not trying to create a yelling match here.  But some people should be aware if they buy a new version engine P2K, there will be differences compared to their older ones.

 

Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions

Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!

  • Member since
    July 2010
  • 174 posts
Posted by Hergy on Wednesday, March 2, 2011 6:45 PM

Do you mean the gearing? In a flyer I just received from Walthers they tout the "new 14:1 helical gears" being used on the upcoming SD-45's.

As far as the decoders, I prefer the Tsunamis as I find them the easiest and simplest to work with plus their sounds, in my opinion, are great .(Also by using predominently TSU I don't have to remember as much.) BLI and MTH seem to be evolving more and more with their own hybrid versions of DCC/sound and in some instances requiring their controllers for full access. So much for compatibility, etc.. 

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Wednesday, March 2, 2011 9:34 PM

 BLI's work fully on standard DCC, you don't need anythign extra, The Blueline ones can be a hassle due to the dal decoder configuration, but the Paragon II decoders don;t do anythign you can;t do with a standard DCC system. MTH is the oddball, you cna do most things with DCC but to FULLY utilize all the features you need their DCS system.

 Having played with both, QSI has far superior motor control and sound sync, while most of the time Tsunami has the better sounds, except their horns are kind of weak, even after tweaking the mixer and reverb. The indexed CVs on QSI I think peopel make a mountain out of a molehill. Many of them are based off the same index and you do NOT have to keep reprogrammign the highest level of the index each time, it stays on the last used value. It could be a little better explained in the manual. Or you could use DecoderPro and it's a complete non-issue.

                      --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    July 2010
  • 174 posts
Posted by Hergy on Thursday, March 3, 2011 10:49 AM

Randy, I should have clarified and spelled out  BLI blueline. Didn't mean to throw a blanket over the entire BLI group. You are also correct about using Decoder Pro. I just started using this a short time ago. It's a whole new world (again).

  • Member since
    March 2011
  • From: Westford MA
  • 543 posts
Posted by Tophias on Friday, March 4, 2011 2:27 PM

Hi all, my first entry in these forums.  An additional question for us DC guys using the Quantum Engineer devise, will it work on newer Protos with the Tsunamis?

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Pa.
  • 3,361 posts
Posted by DigitalGriffin on Friday, March 4, 2011 4:00 PM

Tophias

Hi all, my first entry in these forums.  An additional question for us DC guys using the Quantum Engineer devise, will it work on newer Protos with the Tsunamis?

Nope

Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions

Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!