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Preview sounds for MRC Sound decoders

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  • Member since
    May 2008
  • 3 posts
Preview sounds for MRC Sound decoders
Posted by fireman127 on Monday, May 12, 2008 9:54 AM

I'm new to sound and would like to preview the sounds the decoder has before buying. If anyone can tell me where to find this information. And any good threads discussing reliabilty of he decoders.

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Monday, May 12, 2008 12:27 PM

I searched the MRC web site and every major DCC dealer's web site this morning looking for the same thing, and came up totally blank on the sound samples.

There has been a lot of discussion in the past about the poor quality of MRC sound decoders.  Look back through previous topics to find this information and then decide for youself if you think it's worth the risk of buying one.

Their latest announcement of a sound-only decoder indicates that they are not yet available.

 

  • Member since
    May 2002
  • From: Massachusetts
  • 2,899 posts
Posted by Paul3 on Monday, May 12, 2008 1:25 PM

fireman,
MRC sound decoders are the worst on the market today.  You'd be better off going with anyone else's...literally.  Do a search on this forum, or the Atlas Forum, or just about anywhere, and you'll get the same bad news about MRC sound decoders.

cacole,
I think the No. 1 reason why sound manufacturers don't post clips these days is due to the programmable decoders available today.  Why would Soundtraxx go through the time and trouble to record the sounds for their decoders only to have someone download them for free to a much cheaper Digitrax sound decoder?

Paul A. Cutler III
************
Weather Or No Go New Haven
************

 

 

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Monday, May 12, 2008 1:44 PM

I have the 4-4-0 that comes with sound. I am have replaced the decoder with a SoundTraxx Micro-Tsunami. Much better sound and loco speed control. The 4-4-0 does not come DCC ready.

I have two 2-6-0s and one 2-8-0 that I bought DCC ready and installed the Micro in those along with a one inch speaker.

Some people are happy with the stock MRC decoder. You do have to turn down the sound though. They come with loud audio. One person also put a piece of masking tape over the speaker outlet at the bottom of the tender frame.

Your mileage may vary.

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
    May 2008
  • 3 posts
Posted by fireman127 on Monday, May 12, 2008 2:47 PM
Thanks for the tips. Makes sense that the new programable sound decoders can have any sound downloaded wasn't sure if that included the N scale MRC sound decoder. Will definitely be reading more of the forums reagrding the MRC decoders. Again Thanks

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