I'm looking to buy a MRC Steam Sync Sound Decoder http://www.jimsmodeltrains.com/-strse-117/MRC-1629-HO-DCC/Detail.bok . This isn't a Brilliance Decoder. I just want to know whats GOOD about these.
David B, do not tell me what is bad about these!!
- Luke
Modeling the Southern Pacific in the 1960's-1980's
I meant about the decoder, sound sounding wise.
After a little reasearch, I found that the Sheer Brilliance decoders http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/product_p/500-1639.htm are the best MRC decoders.
I still want to know what all the sounds are like.
OK, I'll bite.
I've installed 2 of these decoders both in Bachmann Spectrum locos.
The chuff is OK, not nearly as good as a Tsunami. The bell is fine and the whistles are quite good. All of the misc. sounds such as brake squeal, air, pumps are OK too.
The problem I had was getting the start chuff in synch with the actual start and I only came fairly close after a lot of fiddling. Strangely it is fine when the loco comes to a stop. On another forum I found others with the same problem.
All of the functions work fine and that is after 2 years. Maybe I'm lucky.
CN Charlie
Luke,
Most of the newer MRC Sound Decoders have quite good sound. The problems are:
I have installed 'Sounder' Sound Only decoders in several application and for the price, they are quite good. Even my old Soundtrax 'LC' series steam decoders are better on motor control than any MRC decoder I have seen.
The sad facts are that all of that 'marketing hype' in the MRC advertisments and 'reality' are two different things!
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Do a youtube or other video search and you may find a engine with a MRC decoder running somewhere.
As far as Im concerned, it's either static, Hissy or way too loud. It just reinforces my loyalty towards QSI sound LOL.
the 1629 steam decoder was and still is a first generation steam sound decoder.
the sheer brilliance steam decoders, 0001630 and 0001656 are going to be discontinued.
our newest steam decoder is the 0001823 sheer brilliance decoder, this decoder has improved motor control and back emf, plus has many chuffs, whistles and bells to choose from.
it also incorporates CV 65- kick Start and CV's 67 to 94 for setting up custom speed tables.
Frank-Model Rectifier
New Haven I-5 I'm looking to buy a MRC Steam Sync Sound Decoder http://www.jimsmodeltrains.com/-strse-117/MRC-1629-HO-DCC/Detail.bok . This isn't a Brilliance Decoder. I just want to know whats GOOD about these. David B, do not tell me what is bad about these!!
I think you should buy one and then give us a review.
I personally do not own one, but would enjoy a non-biased review.
Davidmbedard's comments don't count because he's obviously biased and I think the only one here on this forum who doesn't like MRC decoders.
Driline, are you serious? You honestly think that David's opinions don't count, and that's he's the only one that doesn't like MRC decoders? Do you even know how many decoders he's installed? Do you think it's possible he might know what he's talking about?
I strongly dislike MRC decoders because they are J-U-N-K. They are J-U-N-K because they have a 50% failure rate when they aren't playing the wrong sounds. I had an MRC factory rep. at the Springfield show last year lie to my face and tell me that their Atlas S-unit decoders were recorded from 6-cyl. 539 prime movers, when they are actually recordings of 12 cyl. 244's. Half of the dozen or so Atlas S-unit boards at my club had to be returned due to board failure. Half of the Athearn sound-equipped locos have had to be returned due to board failure, including all the Challengers and Big Boys.
I belong to a 60+ member HO model railroad club, and I am the "DCC Guru" that everyone comes to when their locos don't work. There are currently over 750 locos registered at our club, and hundreds more that are not registered yet, but I've seen come into the club. I have literally witnessed and programmed hundreds of decoders of all kinds. MRC is by far the worst of the lot.
Why are they so bad? Because they won't program and you can't read them. If you change the address and CV29, and it doesn't take, you've lost it. It won't respond to 03 and it won't respond to the new address. You can't find out the "new" addess because you can't read it. Who makes a decoder that can't be read? MRC...the only one that can't figure it out.
Another crazy MRC feature is the if you have a short, your MRC loco shuts down completely. Even after the power comes back on, you still can't run the loco until you start it back up again. This is a real trick on people who might run a A-B-B-A set from Athearn with MRC boards. You have to manually re-select each of the four units and start it back up after every time there's a short or a power interruption. How nutty is that?
I strongly tell people not to buy MRC decoders. The local hobby shops refuse to stock them, and will only order them after they warn the owners the problems they are buying into.
But worst of all is the pure arrogance of the company. They sell the worst decoder brand on the market, and they advertise it like it's the best on the planet. Can you say, "False Advertising"?I just wish MRC would get serious about DCC.
Paul A. Cutler III*******************Weather Or No Go New Haven*******************
Would I be correct to suggest that the OP should go for a Soundtraxx LC decoder instead of one of these MRC products if he is wanting a sound decoder in the sub $50 price range?
David,Well, if he was joking, it went right over my head. Sigh. You know, they have these "smilie" things that can convey a sense of humor and sarcasm...
Anyways... Driline, if you were kidding, I apologize.
BTW, when MRC Tech Frank showed up on the Atlas DCC Forum, several comments (some by me) were made asking about their lackluster product line. There was no answer on the Forum.
Correction to my previous post;
I installed a #1639 Mini Steam decoder, not a 1629 so my comments strictly apply to the 1639 which I believe is more expensive. It is small and easy to install.
NYCentral1 Would I be correct to suggest that the OP should go for a Soundtraxx LC decoder instead of one of these MRC products if he is wanting a sound decoder in the sub $50 price range?
As a new poster I ask with some trepidation who David is and his (your) place is in this hobby. You seem to have a great following and your comments and opinions seem to be valued by many.
Eric A simple model train enthusiast
New Haven I-5NYCentral1 Would I be correct to suggest that the OP should go for a Soundtraxx LC decoder instead of one of these MRC products if he is wanting a sound decoder in the sub $50 price range? I already have have 2 and the sounds have limited choices.
Would you quit asking questions already and go buy one so you can give us a NON-biased review?
Eric,IIRC, David is a professional DCC installer in Canada at a hobby shop. He's done a lot of installations, and he's probably seen just as many by other people.
While I do disagree from time to time with David on various subjects, on this we are in complete agreement on the merits (or lack thereof) of MRC DCC decoders.
Paul,
Thank you for the reply. The opinions on MRC are obvious and it is not my intent to dispute nor promote them. I will admit to owning some MRC products, including several of the original basic decoders. I am just getting back to this hobby after about 8 years. As a new forum member I like to know about the person offering technical information or opinions. Too many people claim knowledge based on a one time experience. From what you tell me, David is not one of those people.
Eric Lauenstein
I have one of the MRC #1627 Steam sound decoders installed in a Bachmann Niagara locomotive. It has been in use for nearly 4 years and has given me no problems. Admittedly the sound is not proto-typical but it brings the big steamer to life.
My grandson has an Athearn Challenger with MRC sound factory installed. I'm not sure which decoder, but it has operated for more than two years and has given us no problem.
I have a couple of the MRC #1626 Diesel sound decoders installed in F7s. I only use the sound side of the decoders in dummy B-units coupled to a lead loco where motor control is with Digitrax. They have also been in use for some time and continue to perform well.
All of my MRC sound decoders, with the exception of the Challenger, were purchased at a time when Soundtraxx decoders were out of reach financially. The motor control could be better, but overall, for the price and the time, I have been satisfied with them. I'm no sound expert, but to my untrained and often abused ears the sounds are close enough to the real thing to meet my needs.
Admittedly, most of my sound equipped locos have Soundtraxx DSD-100LC, DSD-101LC or DSX sound decoders installed. If I had my druthers, all of my sound equipped locos would have Quantum/BLI sound. There are but three (factory installed) in my inventory, In my opinion, Quantum/BLI is the best there is. Cost, availability and the shear number I would need are major limiting factors.
Finally. Try the MRC. You may like it and though price isn't everything, it does count.
Good luck!
Remember its your railroad
Allan
Track to the BRVRR Website: http://www.brvrr.com/
Driline New Haven I-5 NYCentral1 Would I be correct to suggest that the OP should go for a Soundtraxx LC decoder instead of one of these MRC products if he is wanting a sound decoder in the sub $50 price range? I already have have 2 and the sounds have limited choices. Would you quit asking questions already and go buy one so you can give us a NON-biased review?
New Haven I-5 NYCentral1 Would I be correct to suggest that the OP should go for a Soundtraxx LC decoder instead of one of these MRC products if he is wanting a sound decoder in the sub $50 price range? I already have have 2 and the sounds have limited choices.
Ok, I bought the MRC Brilliance Sound Decoder 1639. Get prepared for a review.
Luke
I have a half dozen or so MRC diesel sound decoders, and so far I have had no problems. They are loud and a little hissy. For some strange reason, I can always program in the address, but I can't seem to lower the volume. A couple of them read back, most don't. Go figure.
Now about those Soundtraxx decoders that reset back to start, every time they momentarily lose power.
I was hopping to see more good about the MRC decoders, they are at a good prices point.
I have had 2 Athearn Big Boys, note I said had! Decoders them selfs sounded fine, I like the different whistles and bell option. I loved the clickie clack sounds it would make. Speed control was fine as well. Problem was the decoder address kept changing it self! Half the time I just ran it on the DC line and used the hand held controller.
When I started having problems with the first one, my LHS took it back and gave me the second one. When started to do the same thing, I took it back and got a PCM Big Boy.
My LHS will not stock MRC decoders either. He will order them, but will not take them back if there is a problem. You have to send it to MRC for the replacement.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust