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Kato Sound Box test

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  • Member since
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  • 68 posts
Kato Sound Box test
Posted by Jonas Grumby on Saturday, January 6, 2018 3:23 PM

I'm pretty happy with this Kato sound box hooked up to computer speakers for a simple DC setup...

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  • From: Northeast OH
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Posted by tstage on Saturday, January 6, 2018 3:53 PM

Jonas,

I just watched a demo of this.  Each locomotive has it's own sound card or module.  So, if you switched locomotives that have different prime movers, you'd also have to switch to the appropriate sound card?

It also looks like the speaker is built into the sound box itself.  Does it allow for additional speakers to be daisy-chained from the speaker in the sound box?

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

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Posted by Jonas Grumby on Saturday, January 6, 2018 5:17 PM

Hi Tom. They have lots of different sound cards available. There is a small speaker on the sound box, but I have it hooked up to a set of computer speakers with subwoofer, which gives a much better sound than the built in speaker. There is a line out jack so you can connect that to whatever you want to connect it to. I like it. 

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Posted by tstage on Saturday, January 6, 2018 5:34 PM

Jonas,

I wasn't sure if it was limited to either/or with a speaker - i.e. you could only use the built-in speaker or one external speaker.  That's a nice option and I'm glad it's working well for you.

Although I have no plans of switching from DCC, I am curious how much each of the sound card costs?

Thanks,

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

  • Member since
    November 2017
  • 68 posts
Posted by Jonas Grumby on Sunday, January 7, 2018 11:12 AM

You can actually use any sound card with any locomotive but you should just pick one that sounds right for your locomotive.

The sound cards generally cost about $30 each. The box is about $175-$200 depending on the seller and it typically comes with one sound card.

The easiest thing to plug into the line out jack is a set of computer speakers or a USB external speaker that has a line in. I have also connected it to my home stereo but decided to go with the computer speakers. 

HTH

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