I'm about to make the conversion from DC to DCC on my large N scale layout. Are there any good sound decoders that will fit into N scale steam and diesel locos. I realize that because of the relative size, the sounds in N scale will not be as good as in the larger scales, but I'd like to get the best sound currently available in N scale.
Bob
Thanks, David. I have to confess to being a Luddite when it comes to fooling with the equalizer, but I guess I have a choice....live with an anemic horn and good prime mover sounds or get my fingernails dirty and figure out how to get the most out of the decoder. Oh well, it had to happen sooner or later...
-Crandell
I have several Tsunami decoders, some steam and one modern diesel. They all sound very good. I am having trouble getting much volume out of the horn on the latest installation, but the rest of the sounds are excellent and plenty loud.
The quality of the sound you're going to get depends 99 percent on the quality of the speaker and enclosure you use. With a properly baffled, high quality speaker the Tsunami sounds excellent, but with a cheap, low-power speaker and poor enclosure, it's going to sound tinny. The same holds true for any sound decoder.
I have Tsunamis and LCs, and have not been satisfied with any of them. They have their good points, but overall, I think QSI is better. All of my Soundtraxx decoders seem to be prone to stalling, usually at turnouts. Then they restart, but completely out of sync with the steam loco's drivers. The only way to reset them is to turn off the whole system and start again. Also, the sound is a bit tinny to my ear, especially as speed increases. If you have ever heard a playing card flapping through bicycle spokes you know the sound. The whistle sounds are not to my liking either, but that is more a matter of taste than anything else. The whistles are weak, even with a high bass speaker. Tsunami used to be state-of-the -art, but today I think there are better choices.
I've got one of the older L-series diesel units for an Alco RS-3. It's been in service for over 2 years now, with no problems. With the distinctive clanky Alco sound, I always know where that engine is on my layout.
I just installed a Tsunami diesel in a Proto EMD GP-9. I really like the sound on that one.
Both of these have lots of volume for my small layout in big room.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Hi Will,
This post might better be in the DCC / Electronics Forum. I will say I enjoy my DSU1000s I have installed in my SD70Macs. The only thing that could be better is volume. Compared to my QSI Revolution As, they just don't have the volume (with comparable speakers).
Just my 2 cents,
Peter
I am going to "bite the bullet" and purchase a DCC system. While I don't have a layout, I do set up some track and fulfill my "fulfill my train wishes." I was inspired by visiting a guy's layout while at work and he showed me the many features.
I was poking around the Internet and came across Soundtraxx's website. I want to install sound in two of my Athearn P42s.
The question is if anybody on here has had any issues with any of these decoders? I have seen oodles of posts regarding on how MRCs have trouble, but not any other brands.
Thanks in advance.
Will