I'm interested in purchasing a new Atlas gold series TM GP38-2 in BN colors. According to the Atlas archive, these BN models were made in 2016. I've found reviews saying this model has a Loksound Essential Sound unit decoder and others saying Loksound select. Sellers sometimes just say Loksound as if that is enough... grrr
Is there a difference in performance and/or sound quality between an "essential unit sound" and "select" decoder?
Geez, just found another ad claiming a QSI decoder in this locomotive... Would they be used by Atlas in 2016 (thought they stopped using them earlier than 2016)? Stay away or okay?
Has there been a large enough improvement in sound quality to pay more for a more recently produced locomotive with Loksound v5 and newer designed speakers?
Thanks
Essential Sound Unit is an OEM reduced function decoder using v5 firmware. It cannot be purchased separately.
Loksound Select uses v4 firmware and was available for purchase in the past.
For a user like me, an Essential Sound Unit is probably fine. A power dcc user would want the v5 loksound.
Loksound is giving me problems too. Not sure what "sound file" for a NYC F7B (EMD). The files look like no. of cylinders or something, any idea which?
Terry
I think the Essential Sound unit is a very very recent thing. You can't use a lokprogramer to change the sound package.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Terry,
The NYC F7s used the EMD 16[cyl]-567B. I only see a 16-cyl "567BC" offered by ESU on their sound file page. However, the description under that sound file says the following:
The EMD 567 16cyl Prime Mover was one of the most widely used Prime Movers in the world! From F-Units to Geeps this popular power house can still be found in many locomotives riding the rails today.
So, someone can correct me if I'm wrong but that should probably work for your NYC F7 - A or B-units...
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Tom, thank you for your reply! I'm buying the EMD 16-567B sound file.
The 567, 567 A block or B block upgraded to a 567 - C block primarily concerned the piping of the water (deck) passages or manifolds. Any difference in the perceived sound of the prime mover and exhaust would be negligible, IMHO.
When the 567 D2 came along it was turbocharged so there would be a distinct change in sound there. Especially the whine of the turbo.
I have to admit, though, that there were distinct differences in the sounds of, say an E7 compared to an E8 (the E7 seemed to have a sharper "bark" to its exhaust) and an FT or F3 compared to a later F7 (again, a "sharper" more staccatto exhaust in the earlier units) there were refinements to the exhaust ducting that weren't related to the actual engine (prime mover) itself. The FTs and earlier Es had four smaller exhaust stacks rather than the combined manifold type on the later Fs and Es.
A little light reading:
https://utahrails.net/pdf/EMD_567_History_and_Development_1951.pdf
Good Luck, Ed
There are a couple 567B's on this page, one is for V 4.0 the other for select.
http://projects.esu.eu/projectoverviews/search?q=f7
I only see a 567 for V 5
IDRick Geez, just found another ad claiming a QSI decoder in this locomotive... Would they be used by Atlas in 2016 (thought they stopped using them earlier than 2016)? Stay away or okay?
Rich
Alton Junction