Soundtraxx's Tsuami decoder - End of the year

[Anonymous]

I would like to start this post by saying, for those of you that don't read "the coffee shop" I've been modeling for over fifty years. This is not a rumor or idle gossip started by someone that has nothing to do, but straight from the horses mouth. Soundtraxx, according to customer service rep Allen, is planning on releasing the Tsuami decoder around the end of the year. The MTH case has nothing to do with it being so long in development as it has had it's own problems. The wish list on this item is very long has required a longer time for development then planned.

Ya'll have a blessed day and remember SANTA FE ALL THE WAY
Bob

[Anonymous]

I'm going nuts here, I can barely wait!
But if it lives up to the hype, It will be worth it!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by TEFFY

I would like to start this post by saying, for those of you that don't read "the coffee shop" I've been modeling for over fifty years. This is not a rumor or idle gossip started by someone that has nothing to do, but straight from the horses mouth. Soundtraxx, according to customer service rep Allen, is planning on releasing the Tsuami decoder around the end of the year.

This is great news as I have two on order from Tony's. My Trix Big Boy gets one and one of my Daylights gets one. I read that the Daylight has the Whistle and the Horn both. I can hardly wait.

Did you get any reason why it is at least one year late?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: planning on releasing the Tsuami decoder around the end of the year.

I heard the same thing from the Soundtraxx people at the Narrow Guage Convention in Santa Clara earlier this month.

Guy

[rexhea]

Got one on order to replace an LC[xx(] in a beautiful Southern 4-8-2. Glad to know a company is making it right before it hits the market. [:D]

Well, I guess it will make a nice Christmas present. [:P]

[jfugate]

Hope they make it as planned, it sounds very impressive.

Actually got a demo of the sample they had on display at the National back in July. Even got the demo on video with the help of a myMemoirs Video camera guy (the folks who are doing the Siskiyou Line video series). But, the product manager Nancy asked us to not post the video anywhere because the product was still in development. So, sadly we erased the video as she requested.

At any rate, it should be well worth the wait. Impressive product, indeed.

[Anonymous]

What is the price for one. Also, will these be available as a full function decoder and as the sond unit only tha still needs a decoder for locomotive movement like the earlier version was offered. I want to get one for one of my diesels and one for a steam loco too. Maybe I can swing getting one as a Christmas present.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bangert1

This is great news
Did you get any reason why it is at least one year late?

Bangert1:
As far as I know it was just trying to get it right. From what I've heard of Steve (co-owner) he is a stickler about something being absolutely perfect.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Tweet469

What is the price for one. Also, will these be available as a full function decoder and as the sond unit only tha still needs a decoder for locomotive movement like the earlier version was offered. I want to get one for one of my diesels and one for a steam loco too. Maybe I can swing getting one as a Christmas present.

Tweet469:
My understanding is, that since it's a replacement for the DSD, it will be a full function decoder.


Ya'll have a blessed day and remember SANTA FE ALL THE WAY
Bob

[AntonioFP45]

Jfugate,

Thanks for trying to get us a sampling while you were at the convention. I am planning on getting several Tsunamis.

Just my 2 Cents: [C):-)][2c]
Even with this advanced microprocessor technology I do wonder how we will still be able to get dynamic, realistic sound with "some bass" in HO & N scale units equipped with "3/4 or "1 speakers?

A friend of mine who is a modeler and musician pointed out that BLI locomotives have dynamic sound because they are designed from the "ground up" for the sound system whereas, locomotives that are "retrofitted" with soundtraxx systems require precise baffling or the resulting sound can be "tinny" and "toylike"

I'm not knocking it as I'm a big fan of "sound" onboard locomotives. I am skeptical, but hopeful. Recently I heard an HO Kato GE unit equipped with a Soundtraxx "LC" decoder. I was a little dissappointed. I found out afterwards from the Litchfield Station owner (Bruce) that this decoder uses a "smaller, less powerful" amplifier than the old DSD 150 and the upcoming Tsunami. That's why it's cheaper and not as dynamic. I wish Soundtraxx would have mentioned this!!

I'm looking forward to hearing the sound of turbo-charged 645 diesels coming from my FP45s as well as hearing Leslie or Nathan "honkers" coming from my Proto E7s. It's good to know that Soundtraxx is working to "Get It Right"!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

Jfugate,

a friend of mine who is a modeler and musician pointed out that BLI locomotives have dynamic sound because they are designed from the "ground up" for the sound system whereas, locomotives that are "retrofitted" with soundtraxx systems require precise baffling or the resulting sound can be "tinny" and "toylike"

I'm not knocking it as I'm a big fan of "sound" onboard locomotives. I am skeptical, but hopeful. Recently I heard an HO Kato GE unit equipped with a Soundtraxx "LC" decoder. I was a little dissappointed. I found out afterwards from the Litchfield Station owner (Bruce) that this decoder uses a "smaller, less powerful" amplifier than the old DSD 150 and the upcoming Tsunami. That's why it's cheaper and not as dynamic. I wish Soundtraxx would have mentioned this!!

I'm looking forward to hearing the sound of turbo-charged 645 diesels coming from my FP45s as well as hearing Leslie or Nathan "honkers" coming from my Proto E7s. It's good to know that Soundtraxx is working to "Get It Right"!

AntonioFP45:
I purchased one "LC" decoder and was so dissatisified with it that I never bought another one. The sound differance between the DSD and the LC is awsome. But in model railroading as elsewhere you get what you pay for. I model steam and I wanted the extra features that were on the DSD so that's what I bought. I'd rather spend a little more per loco and have a better sound.

Ya'll have a blessed day and remember SANTA FE ALL THE W AY
Bob

[robengland]

Check out SurroundTraxx, reputedly a cooperative effort between Soundtraxx and Digitrax. http://www.soundtraxx.com/dcc/surroundtraxx.html
I'm hoping it will address the bass sound issue for me, especially for diesels.

Anyone got news on this? Is it still happening and if so when? This sounds more like something that would run foul of MTH....

[AntonioFP45]

Robengland,

The system's offering are impressive. Only downside that seems apparent is the high cost. Hopefully systems similar to this will be offered by the competition and will be common in the future.

[robengland]

Expensive as a one-off cost, but if you compare to a Tsunami in every loco, plus good speakers, plus the time to install and maintain them, then you factor in the even better sound especially ultra-low bass.... starts sounding kinda affordable to me. I've got a monster 1970s stereo just waiting for it :-D

[Don Gibson]

QUOTE: Just my 2 Cents: [C):-)][2c]
Even with this advanced microprocessor technology I do wonder how we will still be able to get dynamic, realistic sound with "some bass" in HO & N scale units equipped with "3/4 or "1 speakers?

YOU CAN'T. Neither can most Hi Fi Systems.

QUOTE: A friend of mine who is a modeler and musician pointed out that BLI locomotives have dynamic sound because they are designed from the "ground up" for the sound system whereas, locomotives that are "retrofitted" with soundtraxx systems require precise baffling or the resulting sound can be "tinny" and "toylike"

Your modeler musician friend is only 'part right'. The BLI sound is louder because they are using TWO speakers in an enclosed tender (which is by nature a pre-determined size), wheras the Soundtraxx is "retro-fitted" made to fit into whatever you have - good or bad. You cannot get one gallon of water into a 1 oz. shot glass.

"Tinny" and "toylike In HO, No speaker can reproduce below 400 or 500 Hz (Concert 'A' on a piano is 440Hz). which means all the the frequencies are above and the 'body' of lower frequency sounds are totally missing. Hook up a 1" speaker to your high fi sometime, and you'll hear what I mean - no matter what power your amplifier has.

All Sound is 'Dynamic' (air in motion) therefor the term is 'air movement' - (again above A=440Hz.). Installing 2 same size speakers in the same sized tender using Soundtraxx will essentially do the same thing - with perhaps more variety.
The trade-off is BLI's sound comes pre-installed in a BLI Engine and the QSI sound generator is $100 of the price. GREAT! - if it's in the engine you want.

Don Gibson, Musician, sound recording engineer - and modeler.

[darth9x9]

I expect the Tsunami to kick BLI in the butt! Sure, you are going to have to install it yourself but the sound difference should be well worth it. We'll see!!!