I think I have decided what my next "project" is going to be: replacing that terrible sound system in my early run HO Athearn Genesis Challenger. I can't say it's all THAT bad, oh heck, yes it is! After getting the Loksound re-done on my Y6b, it is like having a NEW engine! Now I need to "fix" the Challenger. Do any of you have FIRST HAND experience with changing-out the MRC system, and WHICH system is the best, in this case? I would like to do this as economically (cheap) as possible, of course, but good sound and speed control. Can I use my existing speakers, or are they crap too? I'm kinda leaning towards Loksound, and investing in the "Programmer" one day....or not. Need advice! Also, do any of the new sound decoders have the "rod clank" that is so obvious on all my videos of steam engines? Seems odd, to me, that none of my six sound-equipped locos has this (ESU,QSI, SOUNDTRAX, MRC factory-equipped). Sounds to me that when a steamer is coasting, they're almost always just "clankin' away"! How about new QSI Upgrade chips? Have they done it yet? Ok, y'all got the floor!
Mike C.
Try a TCS WOWSound - check the demo videos, the chuffs vary by the actual load on the loco and when rolling downhill it has the rod clank. Probably the best steam sound out right now.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I have the Tusnami TSU-1000 Heavy Steam decoder. It also has the rod clank when the loco is not pulling. Because each loco's motor is different, this usually has to be set up with the BEMF in the decoder programming for the locomotive the decoder is installed in to get the correct effect. As for using the MRC speaker with it, if it is 8 ohms, then you can use it. I don't know about the quality of the MRC speakers, but you want the largest ones that you can fit in, and it should have an enclosure. No enclosure equals small sounds.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
For better sound and smoother motor control, go with the new TCS WOW! Sound decoder with Keep Alive; far superior to a Tsunami. Tsunami still suffers from two problems: Horrible whistle volume and no support for CVs 5 and 6 to adjust mid- and max-voltage to the motor.
Another good choice would be a LokSound Select, which also has superior motor control and better sounds than a Tsunami.
Another solution is to piggyback a TCS T-1, LokPilot, or similar decoder onto the MRC decoder for motor control only, and keep the MRC sounds, which seem to be okay. I have done that with a couple of the Athearn Genesis Challengers, which greatly improved their running qualities.
Here's a short video of my Genesis Challenger with a QSI Titan. I went with the Titan just out of curiosity. I'm happy with it,but if I were doing it today,I'd probably go with a Loksound or Wowsound- getting the Titan to run smoothly took a lot of fiddling with CV's. I think you'll be happier if you change out the speakers,too (I used two Hi-Bass).Though you can't really tell it with my video cam's little microphone,the sound is much fuller. Whatever decoder you go with,it'll be a big improvement over the MRC.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAo5G0LVPfU
Mike
wobblin,
It is a good project to do. Start here.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/p/64941/798400.aspx#798400
I too, would look at the WOW decoder. There are newer "sugar cube" speakers available now which might improve the bass sound.
Please let us know how it turns out.
pharmd98233
I just realized that several years ago I purchased (brand new) a BLI Paragon N&W Clas A locomotive that, shortly after purchase, began to have "issues" with the sound chip. Apparently in those days there were no chips laying around to replace mine. BLI sent me a brand new board for the tender, chip and all. I mean the "whole kit and kaboodle", speakers and all! Is it possible I could wire this thing into my Challenger and just install the appropriate sound chip? QSI does list "upgrade chips" for Big Boys and such. Wouldn't that work for a Challenger? The new upgrade chips have BEMF and all the "bells and whistles". Is that an idea?
Should work.
As long as the only issue was with the main chip and not anything else with the decoder board