What sound decoders have you found to be a good value for the money? I'm unsure why Soundtraxx' Tsunami decoders are worth roughly twice the cost of their competition.
NP 2626 "Northern Pacific, really terrific"
Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association: http://www.nprha.org/
It kind of depends what you call competition...
The MRC and low-end Digitrax (SDH64) decoders are pretty poor preformers. If you dont buy the tsu-1000 (purple shrink-wrapped) or the KT-1000 (resistors built in) type, you can keep your cost around $80. Still alot, but when comparing sound quality between the Soundtraxx and the MRC and SDH64, for only $35, what can I say, you get what you pay for. The ESU/Loksound can be found for $83 and are excellent. The sound and motor control of the Lok is hard to beat.
In the end, imho, you get what you pay for. Yes, it is expensive, and yes these decoders are probably very profitable for the companies that make them. But its an expensive hobby that I dont see getting any cheaper.
IMHO the Tsunami is probably the best out there.I like the sound of the EMD 567 and 645E used in the SW1500 and other units.
Now,I have MRC 645 sound decoder in a Athearn RTR SW1500 and when used with my Tech 6 I an set several CVs and select the horn,plus Rule 17 lighting.It sounds good but,not quite on the level of the Tsunami but,the MRC was a simple plug/play and that's why I chose it over the Tsunami-I can't solder worth a lick with my left hand and I'm to stubborn to ask...
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
You get what you pay for.
I have had MRC sound decoders and they failed in about a year. So I had to buy new decoders. So how does that make MRC decoders a better buy?
People here report that the Digitrax sound decoders don't sound very well, so I have left them alone.
I have tried most sound decoders except for Digitrax. I have one Loksound decoder, and one QSI, and many Tsunami's. I like the Tsunami's better, but can not complain about the Loksound or QSI except to say the QSI has lost it's programming several times so I won't buy another one.
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.
Elmer,I haven't had any problems yet but,I only used the simple CV setting acceleration(CV3),deceleration(CV4) start(CV2) and top volt(CV5),the master volume(CV49) and horn type(CV50)..Again the sound is ok.
When and if it fails I will probably buy a Tsunami and ask for help soldering the fool thing.
gandydancer19 I like the Tsunami's better, but can not complain about the Loksound or QSI except to say the QSI has lost it's programming several times so I won't buy another one.
I like the Tsunami's better, but can not complain about the Loksound or QSI except to say the QSI has lost it's programming several times so I won't buy another one.
I have a set of P2K F7`s (ABA), Atlas MP15, 2 Atlas GP40-2`s.
All with QSI sound.......and to me they all sound the same.
I have a 3 unit set of P2K GP30`s that I installed Tsunami`s into and they sound great.
Next weekend at the Timonium show I`m picking up a TSU-750 micro Tsunami for my Walthers doodlebug.
Dennis Blank Jr.
CEO,COO,CFO,CMO,Bossman,Slavedriver,Engineer,Trackforeman,Grunt. Birdsboro & Reading Railroad
NP2626 What sound decoders have you found to be a good value for the money? I'm unsure why Soundtraxx' Tsunami decoders are worth roughly twice the cost of their competition.
It depends on what's important to you. I prefer great motor control so LokSound and the new QSI are my choices. I have yet to come across a Soundtraxx decoder - even after adjusting - that can match either one.
Sound primarily depends on the quality of the original sound recording and how well it's sampled. While the LokSound whistle and chuff in my Trix Mike is fair, at best, the playable horn and bell of my LokSound Selector decoder in my Stewart VO-660 is excellent. OTOH, a similar Tsunami decoder in a Stewart VO-1000 I had yielded an anemic and monotone horn and poor motor control. It went back to the vendor pronto.
Even though the Loksound 3.5 decoder in my Trix Mike has so-so sound files (except the bell, which is nice and crisp), I can always hold out for a better sound file, as long as the motor control is excellent. To me - that has greater "value" than sound ever will.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Thanks to all who responded!
I dislike answers like: "You get what you pay for!" Paying more is not always a guarantees you're getting the highest/best quality!
Modelling HO Scale with a focus on the West and Midwest USA
On the flip-side I have had three, count them three, different MRC sound decoders for over five years, and they have been awesome. I have a Soundtraxx decoder for my Model Power 4-6-2 Pacific, and it's great, but to get a Soundtraxx decoder in an Atlas diesel is darned near impossible. MRC was the way to go.
Now Digitrax decoders are all crap. Yes, ALL of them. I have had three of them, and they all suck.
I can only relate my experience, some of it dated and some very recent.
About six years ago, the model railroad world heaved a huge collective sigh of relief when Soundtraxx finally launched their Tsunami decoders. It improved as they branched out into light, medium heavy steam, and their diesels. Things were peachy for about five years.
Then both QSI and ESU LokSound launched their Revolution Series and 3.5 respectively. Wow, and decisions, decisions. At about that time, two years ago or more, I had a Stealth BLI J Class 4-8-4 needing a sound decoder. I elected to purchase a tried-and-true Tsunami 'heavy steam' because the Norfolk & Western 4-8-4 is indeed a heavy locomotive. It didn't run all that well at low speeds. I saw a thread dealing with fine-tuning low-speed control with Tsunamis on another forum and decided to give it a try. WOW!!! That Stealth J Class turned into a silk purse suddenly!
Buuuuuuuuuttttt,,, there was that generic rod clank that I couldn't shut off or turn down, no matter what I did. Further, if you listen to recent Tsunami installations today on youtube, they all have that same generic rod clank, same pitch, same omnipresence...[sigh...].
My recent experience (and I haven't the slightest doubt LokSound could match it hands down) is with the new QSI Titan series. I have two 'universal' Titans installed in the newest steamer purchases, a BlueLine A Class 2-6-6-4 from BLI and a Bachmann Spectrum Heavy Mountain 4-8-2. Both are truly welcome additions to my roster because of reputation and actual finish, fit, and running qualities. Believe me, the Titan doesn't diminish either engine, and for the sound enthusiast, it is a welcome improvement from the Revolution Series from QSI.
The upshot is that, without knowing how the latest LokSounds are, the QSI Titan is now my go-to sound decoder.
Crandell
gatrhumpy Now Digitrax decoders are all crap. Yes, ALL of them. I have had three of them, and they all suck.
I'm sorry to hear that, gatrhumpy. I have a DZ123 and a DH143 in a couple of switchers and they have very nice motor control. With that said, I still prefer Lenz, NCE, and TCS decoders.
I have installed many Digitrax DZ123s in Stewart, Atlas, P2K, IHC, Model Power and MDC Roundhouse locomotives and all are performing very well, indeed. I have been extremely happy with the Digitrax products I own; so, had been wondering about installing their sound decoders in a couple of my steam locos. However, I'm hearing that people seem to be dissatisfied with Digitrax's sound decoders. Hense my original question, above.
How many sound decoder manufacturers are there? I know of: Digitrax, Soundtraxx, Loksound, QSI and MRC. I see that Bachmann offers locos with sound; but, doesn't seem to offer decoders as stand alone products. Are there any others?
I believe Zimo has a sound decoder.
selector Buuuuuuuuuttttt,,, there was that generic rod clank that I couldn't shut off or turn down, no matter what I did. Further, if you listen to recent Tsunami installations today on youtube, they all have that same generic rod clank, same pitch, same omnipresence...[sigh...]. Crandell
NP2626 I see that Bachmann offers locos with sound; but, doesn't seem to offer decoders as stand alone products
The Bachmann sound locos are Tsunami chips, and cannot be purchased as they are licensed to Bachmann only, some are stripped down versions missing some features (coupler clank in the Alco 2-6-0 sound value for example)
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/
Years ago when I was in N scale Digitrax and TCS were the decoders I ran, I always felt the Digitrax while having more features at the time, the TCS had better motor control, but that was almost 6 or more years ago, and I imagine decoders have excelled at how they perform.
I am now into HO and didn't do my research as I should have, instead buying all MRC decoders for my Athearn GP's and the Atlas genset. I recently was introduced to Loksound, and have decided to convert al my engines over to Loksound, the Micro Selects, I was blown away at the better clarity in the sound, the fact I can get rule 17, and eventually I will by the Loksound programmer for fine tuning. The Loksounds also seem to have a smooth as silk motor control compared to how the MRC's respond, step 1 in the Lok's is a nice 1-2 mph crawl, as were no mater what I do, my genset seems to only get down to 4-5 mph, and is a bit jerky at a 10-15 mph speed.
Costs for either the MRC or the Loksound for me, the Loksound was actually a better price.
I would be interested in hearing what people think of the factory installed decoders from Atlas and Athearn and the others as far as sound quality and motor control. I would have to agree with others, the motor control is the 1st thing on my list of wanting best performing, with the sound coming in next.
TCS unveiled their new steam sound decoder this week-end at the Springfield show .... could diesels be far behind ?
Mark.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
So, how was it, Mark?
tstage So, how was it, Mark? Tom
Yes, how was it?
Unfortunately, I wasn't at the show myself - but have seen the mention of this decoder myself on a couple blogs .... anxiously awaiting a report as well !
cacole selector Buuuuuuuuuttttt,,, there was that generic rod clank that I couldn't shut off or turn down, no matter what I did. Further, if you listen to recent Tsunami installations today on youtube, they all have that same generic rod clank, same pitch, same omnipresence...[sigh...]. Crandell Go to the Soundtraxx web site and download their Tsunami Steam Technical Reference Manual. On Page 64 of that document you will see that CV 135 is the Rod Clank Volume. By adjusting the value in CV 135, you can turn it off completely or to a lower volume so it is barely heard. Chuck, I did that, but the rod clank volume remained unchanged. I don't know why. I'll give it a another try next time I have the J on the rails.
You'll probably have to adjust CV 135 on a programming track.
Digitrax -> no personal experience with sound, I have heard an witnessed from NSModeler24 on youtube that custom sounds can be very good
MRC -> no personal experience, was never worth trying for ~$40 when every review I read said they were bad
Loksound -> I use all loksound decoders, they are programmable, and their sounds are excellent. I really like the start up/ shut down vs tsunami where you have to use E stop to shut down.
Tsunami/ soundtraxx -> good for factory install, decent sounds, horns are a little weak and start up shut down as previously mentioned
QSI -> no personal experience, upper end competitor with Loksound and tsunami.
Loksound -> $81.99
Tsunami -> 97.58
QSI -> 103.95
Digitrax -> 40.96
Loksound is a more European company but their sounds are good, their prices are good, and they have up to 6 aux decoders in the select line. I will actually be getting these for any NS heritage units so I can have front and rear ditch lights that flash.
Soundtraxx has good base sounds but they cannot be reprogrammed. A little bit more expensive but more of an industry standard.
QSI, seems a bit expensive but if i find a loco, probably steam, and QSI has the best sound I will go with them. Tsunami steam is not my favorite and Loksounds steam files are older if i remember correctly.
Digitrax has great prices and a 70 dollar programmer. I actually plan on getting one when I have the free money. Just got a Lokprogrammer so buying another decoder that will shine brightest only with another programmer seems silly plus I'm broke.
For MRC, skip a step and just buy a different decoder. MonsterRailroad (also on youtube) had a good review of why not to use MRC (good sound comparison etc.)
Overall, I use loksound personally. They had the best sound file when I was looking for a decoder for my Dash 9 and they haven't let me down four decoders later. If I were to go more budget on my locos I would give Digitrax a try. I trust digitrax enough to try for $40. In general, I would also focus on speakers. Railmaster hobbies has great speakers and tonystrains (i got prices there too) also sells high quality speakers. I prefer dual speakers. They sound the best and they smoke any singe speaker set up I've tried. Hope this helps and good luck!
cacole You'll probably have to adjust CV 135 on a programming track.
You can adjust CV 135 in Ops Mode, so no need for the programming track. Yep, should be able to turn it all the way off or at least down to something more bearable. BTW, the rod clank sound is my complaint about Tsunami sounds. The rest are good, but rod clank is a bit strange.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
NSDash09, thanks for your in depth review and unbiased opinions! I guess I am such a novice at sound that I was unaware that some sound decoders need a separate programmer! This requires further study on the topic!
What does the programmer do?
AussieRescueIL SNIP I would be interested in hearing what people think of the factory installed decoders from Atlas and Athearn and the others as far as sound quality and motor control. I would have to agree with others, the motor control is the 1st thing on my list of wanting best performing, with the sound coming in next.
I have 3 Atlas C420s with QSI sound and they are spot on (considering I heard these engines plenty sitting in jr high in Bloomington while bored out of my wits with 9th grade.)
I also have 4 P2K F units with QSI sound. They're good, but I haven't the kind of personal experience with them that I can vouch for it myself.
I will say that complaints about motor control with most sound decoders are frequently resolved by reference to the documentation. That's been my experience personally, so I suspect I'm far from the only person who'll benefit from doing so. QSI programming is particularly cryptic if you're used to NCE and Tsunami decoders. Once I figured out the rather more complex scheme QSI uses for motor control, things settled down.
NP,
Need for a sound programmer or booster depends on both the decoder and the DCC system involved. What's involved is everything from a bit of extra oomph needed to program sound engines, in the Tsunami's case, all the way up to complete sound files swapouts, like with ESU.
I can only speak to Tsunami's on this. Soundtraxx recommends their PTB-100, which provides the right levels to program the Tsunamis. I run NCE and from what I've heard you do need the PTB-100 with their PowerPro and other full scale command stations. However, if you have a PowerCab -- the all-in one handheld that looks like the PowerPro hammerhead controller, but which includes its own power supply -- it has all the oomph you need. I ended up selling the unopened PTB-100 to someone else that needed it.
Because Tsunami programming is burned at the factory and not user-uploadable, that's all there is to Tsunami's booster requirements.
I have spent a lot of money trying different sound chips and speakers as well as buying OEM sound equipped locos. At this point, due to the prime mover in diesels, I prefer Tsunami's by far. I have diesels crawling at less than 1smph. The speaker type and enclosure are vital. I have redone all the speaker installs in the OEM locos, except those with the Atlas teepee. I had one Tsunami equipped switcher that sounded very poor with a 645 prime mover. I replaced the OEM speaker with a medium speaker and good sealing and it sounds great now. Some of the whistles and horns are not the best.
I have a junk box with QSI Rev U and A, various MRCs and various Digitrax sound decoders.
BTW, when people come visit and want to see the layout, they prefer the loco sound coming out of the ones with Tsunami's.
Richard