Until MRC can tell me what sounds they actually have in their decoders, they aren;t worth the space they take up. I have one for an RS-3. It's got al Alco prime mover, for sure, that sounds like it's played through an amp with a blown transistor plus a blown speaker connected. It has 16 horn sounds selectable by CV, but even MRC tech support cannot tell me which horn is which CV value - said they don;t keep a record of it.
I REALLY urge you to check out the Digitraxsound group on Yahoo, forget those rather crummy projects they have on the Sound Depot (although a couple of new more advanced ones created by a third party have just gone up), it took a lot of effort but people have gitten WAY better sounds out of them, and some of those projects are available. They are notoriously hard to program (sound wise - regualr CVs program just fine with NO special boosters) but there is a handy program (more third party) that makes the process much easier from Fred Miller. There are some pretty fancy things those cheapy decoders can be made to do, definitely superior to MRC in every way.
As for the Con-Cor special decoder - indeed probably one of the generic sounds plus the air chime added - if you don;t have a PR3 then the extra cost might be worth it, but if you have a PR3 and can locate a reasonably close air chime sound, you can add it yourself.
You CAN listen to the Digitrax sounds, just download and install the Soundloader program and you can listen to the sounds in each project. Some of the people making better than stock sound projects have Youtube videos, so you cna hear their stuff in an actual install, with loco-size speakers, and get an accurate idea of what it will sound like installed.
Soundtraxx, QSI, and ESU are still a step above. My nod goes to ESU Loksound, because they are easy to change sounds in, have tons of sounds available, have one of the best motor controls in the industry, read and write with no silly program track boosters, come in multiple sizes to fit different types of locos, and their micro size one is smaller than a TSU-750 and doesn't have any overheating problem. It wouldn;t be terribly difficult to add an air chime sound to one of their steam sound sets, but you'd need the Lokprogrammer hardware to do it. I did buy one, because from now on, every sound decoder I install in my locos will be a Loksound.
--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 an steam engine with an MRC "Sounder" sound-only decoder in it. I think it's good...not as good as a Tsunami, but better than the Digitrax. Some people have had reliability issues with MRC decoders, but this decoder and a similar Sounder in a diesel have worked well for me, several years each with no problems.
I see MRC is coming out with stereo decoders, be interesting to hear how they are.
The chances of even finding a recording of an A Class Hiawatha run-by is pretty remote. I have seen old 8/16 mm home movies, but they did not have any sound. Sound recording from the 30's that are not 'scratchy' would be a real find.
If what Con-Cor is indeed selling is just a Digitrax sound decoder with a 'generic' steam sound and the air horn added - You will have to make the purchasing decision!
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
OK - So the pdf mentions that it is based on the steam_38a.spj which is their generic steam sounds. Not what I was hoping for considering how much extra the decoder is.
I too am not a fan of their generic sound scheme for steam, but you can't beat the price. SoundTraxx has all their sounds on their website to hear. I wish everyone would do that.
I have also beem curious about MRC. I don't own any of their decoders, but they are priced between the Tsunamis and the Digitrax. Are they any closer to reality on the steam sounds????
I have a almost done CNW 4-4-2 (revised and detailed Roundhouse kit) awaiting a better decoder. If there were something better for Digitrax, I would upload.
Strezzy
Yes my understanding is it's the Digitrax SDH164 decoder, pre-loaded with sounds for the Hiawatha. (Including a single chime airhorn) Con-cor has similar decoders for their Zephyr and other trains / engines. It's offered thru Con-Cor, who does sell Fox Valley stuff thru their website.
http://www.con-cor.com//Partners/FoxValley.html
http://www.con-cor.com/CCM-Decoders/HO-Fox-Valley-Hiawatha-DCC.pdf
FWIW I haven't heard sound samples, but I did try using one of the Digitrax ones for a steam engine, and didn't think it was all that great. The diesel sounds are pretty good though.
There is a specific Digitrax decoder that you can buy with the sound already loaded. I just want to hear what it sounds like. I am assuming it is something different than the standard steam sound that comes with a Digitrax decoder. It costs more so I would like to determine if it is worth the extra money for a 4-4-2 I have already.
This sound project is not downloadable to load via the PR3 - which Ialready have. I am assuming con Cor paid for it and is not willing to openly share.
Is this something 'special' that Con-Cor is selling with a pre-loaded Milw 4-4-2 sound package? The SDN144PS is a standard Digitrax sound decoder with a 'short' NMRA 8 pin plug. It includes a 13mm speaker. The Hiawatha 4-4-2 is a Fox Valley Model - I am sort of confused.
Most Digitrax sound decoders come with a generic 'steam' sound and a SD38-2 diesel sound included in the package. If you have the PR3 /Sound Loader package you can download sounds into this decoder. I have several of the SDH164 series HO decoders that I have downloaded SD40-2 sound packages into.
If you do not have the PR3(about $70), and a computer - This may be a good value for you. Digitrax does not have the sound package listed on their site - So I suspect that this is a Con-Cor only sound package.
Does anyone know where I could hear a sample of how this decoder sounds? I am trying to find out if it is worth the preium over a normal Digitrax steam decoder.