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[quote user="IRONROOSTER"] Without getting into the quality involved I see on modeltrainstuff.com Bachmann 4-4-0's for sale with DCC with sound and DCC without sound. List is $140 difference Discount is $105 difference Sale is $80 difference Their Bachmann old time 4-4-0's are DCC and sound vs DCC ready List is $80 difference Discount is $57 difference Sale is $50 difference So the sound adds significantly to the price for those who don't want sound (or don't like the sound the manufacturer chose).  I think the option of the DCC ready decoder 8 pin socket (as in the old time 4-4-0) is the way to go.  That way you can easily add the DCC or DCC + sound decoder of your choice.  Or stay DC if DCC isn't for you. Enjoy Paul <div style="clear:both;"> </div> [/quote]   I agree that sound does add a significant cost to a locomotive. However, the question I posed in my original post was, would the cost of sound be decreased or at least held down by manufacturers using sound decoders in all models with decoders installed? Obviously they have the option of offering the units with no decoders at all, as in the Atlas HO GP 38/40s. In that case, you can order one without a decoder and do what you want. But, there are still models out there with non-sound decoders installed. Let's look at it this way. A manufacturer decides to release a model. For arguments sake they expect to sell 1,000 of them. If they figure half will sell with a sound decoder, the other half with a standerd decoder, the cost of the development of that sound decoder is spread across 500 units. I'd be beyond surprised if they can't get a better price per decoder with an order of 1,000 as opposed to 500. Which is back to the original point of this post. Would it reduce the per unit cost if manufacturers installed them in all models with decoders?
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