Have the MRC sound decoders improved ny in the last year or so/ Thnks.
I agree with Mel. The sound may not be as good as other decoders, and I often need to tweak CVs a bit, but the new generation of MRCs is quite reliable. For steam, I find that removing the BEMF is often necessary to have a smooth running loco. I had about 30 locos to convert, so dollars do matter.
Simon
Bought one for an S2 and the sound is truly dreadful. Even tried it with a 1.56 diameter speaker and it still was shrill/tinny.
Harold
Even if they have, they are nowhere near the leaders like ESU, TCS, and Soundtraxx. There's a reason they are generally less expensive...
There's has been a lot of new recording going on by ESU and TCS, haven't seen MRC posting about updated recordings, let alone adding features. Since they aren't field updatable like ESU, adding new features similar to the Full Throttle would require a new decoder. Have they actually released any new decoders recently?
--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'm surprised anyone is still buying MRC sound decoders after the terrible reputation they got when they were OEM installed in Athearn engines for years. You almost never hear about MRC sound decoders any more - probably for a good reason. I honestly didn't know MRC was still in the sound decoder business.
Maybe some are are still sold - probably because they are low cost compared to sound decoders with a reputation and consensus of high quality sound, like ST Tsunami and ESU Loksound. Of course you pays your money and takes your chances - if you aren't terribly picky, they may work for you. You generally get what you pay for.
I don't own an MRC sound decoders but I can say I'm not very impressed with the QSI sound decoders that came with my Atlas GP40-2's. I'd rather spend a little more and have high quality sound or simply buy silent engines - and install aftermarket sound later if I need it.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
I tried one of the new HO ones because I bought a n scale 1812 drop-in and it sounded pretty good.
Like I said the S2 sound was awful no matter what speaker I used.
Do they buzz so much as to bleed through the sound when running slowly at 20% volume? If not count me in.
I long for the days of QSI. I hope the newer MRCs are like them.
- Douglas
I've been using MRC decoders for years. The first one I installed in a Bachmann Niagara which lasted for nearly ten years before it died. I replaced it with a MRC 1618 decoder that was/is a significant improvement. Particularly with motor control.
We have an Athearn Challenger that came with some version of a MRC sound decoder. It failed totally with no warning in two years. I replaced it with a Soundtraxx DSD 100LC decoder which took some tinkering to get right.
Most recently I installed a couple of MRC 1716 sound decoders in a pair of E8s. To date they have performed flawlessly.
As far as the sound is concerned, the MRC decoders have met my needs. I have a small train room so pure sound isn't necessary. For my money you can't beat the MRC decoders.
I recently purchased a Soundtraxx Econami ECO-100 sound decoder to install in a E8. Thirty to 40 dollars cheaper than most of the other high end decoders the Econami has promise and may give the MRC decoders some competition. We'll see.
Allan
Remember its your railroad
Track to the BRVRR Website: http://www.brvrr.com/
Doughless Do they buzz so much as to bleed through the sound when running slowly at 20% volume? If not count me in. I long for the days of QSI. I hope the newer MRCs are like them.
Mel, thanks for the info.
Also, I'm not a fan of the contemporary and popular producers' representation of EMD turbocharged prime movers or some ALCO prime movers. QSI had the ability to mute individual sounds from the PM, turbocharger being one of them by a simple CV49 to 14 then CV 52 to 0 combo.
So I'm leary of any producers' version of anything other than a non turbo EMD 567 or 645, or a GE FDL, or Baldwin.
Not sure where MRC's turbocharged prime movers rank on the dog whistle/vacuum cleaner squeel scale, but that would be another factor for me to consider.
Also, the more comtemporay producers seem to not have the notching sequence quite correct, at least to my ear. Out of the box, QSI locos would rev slightly before I could perceive an increase in speed. Some say that isn't necessarily realistic, but it seems more logical to me when I operate the locos. Hopefully, MRC doesn't fall short in that area.
For me, there are other factors besides who has the absolute most prototypically accurate sound, but to each his own.
Doughless Also, the more comtemporay producers seem to not have the notching sequence quite correct, at least to my ear. Out of the box, QSI locos would rev slightly before I could perceive an increase in speed. Some say that isn't necessarily realistic, but it seems more logical to me when I operate the locos. Hopefully, MRC doesn't fall short in that area. For me, there are other factors besides who has the absolute most prototypically accurate sound, but to each his own.
Thanks for all the great replies. I have several of the older MRCs that are OK, but they lose their addresses from time to time. And the volume is always max, regardless of what you to with the CVs. I also have the Lokounds and Tzunamis. but I really don't need all the extra bells and whistles of the top end decoders. I just want the prime mover, bell and horn and brake squeal, and the low price of the MRCs is a bit appealing. The motor control on the earlier MRCs left a lot to be desired.
nscalemanI just bought a Kato F7 (DCC ready) and was going to get the MRC 1957 DCC sound decoder so I find it interesting what you all are saying. I was hoping the MRC was decent enough because it looked easy to install and I really like my KATO locomotive to not be able to use it on my new DCC layout.
hobo9941 Thanks for all the great replies. I have several of the older MRCs that are OK, but they lose their addresses from time to time. And the volume is always max, regardless of what you to with the CVs. I also have the Lokounds and Tzunamis. but I really don't need all the extra bells and whistles of the top end decoders. I just want the prime mover, bell and horn and brake squeal, and the low price of the MRCs is a bit appealing. The motor control on the earlier MRCs left a lot to be desired.
While the Tsunamis have okay motor control, TCS and Loksound are terrific at it. That's more important to me than the sound.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.