Sound System Disbelief!!!!!!!!

[highrailjon]

QUOTE: And what would prevent you from adapting an O Scale sound board to a LS unit?? That is if you can get a Shay sound for $100!

Probably the simple fact that I can do it cheaper then for a $100.00. I'm looking at a small hand held Sony tape recorder that will easily fit in any rolling stock and runs off Ni-cad batteries. I can simply record the steam engine sounds I want,and put the cassette of it in the recorder. I would have the ability to keep a library of different engine sounds with just one sound system. And since I have no concern for wanting to control the seperate engine sounds, why not? All for $59.00.
PS, i do own plenty of Shay recordings.
Also another option I'm looking into is adapting an MP-3 Player, still for under $100.00.

[RhB_HJ]

QUOTE: Originally posted by highrailjon

Searching around for a sound system for the Shay ,it looks like the pricing is around $240.00 to $295.00!!!!! That's almost two thirds of what the engine cost!!!!! [:(!]Especially considering it really consists of nothing more than a speaker, a circuit board, and a battery. In my O scale trains I can put the same thing in them for under a $100.00. What gives?
A way around it: In the mean time I have bought a cd disc of live steam sounds and set the portable cd player in the center of my layout. The kids love it!!! I plan to build a small factory or building to cover the cd player while it's on the layout. I'd rather keep the $300.00 in my wallet until a more sensible system is produced!!![:D]

And what would prevent you from adapting an O Scale sound board to a LS unit?? That is if you can get a Shay sound for $100!

[Marty Cozad]

Jon
I hear ya. It took years before i bought one, BUT, once you "bit the bullet" you'll love it.
Both my steam locos have one. I'm mean think about steam w/o sound, thats just a diesel.
I have two others in diesels.
Its kinda like a growth stage. Remember back when we thought going to steel wheels and Kadees was costly.
Now I won't run any thing else.
Man look at the kids eyes light up when that shay comes around the corner and toots the whisle.

[TonyWalsham]

I understand that to the paying public sound systems seem to be very simple electrical items. They don't have many components.
However, in defence of the sound system manufacturers I would like to point out that the cost of developing the programmes to run the sound systems have to be taken into account when the manufacturer costs his product. Writing programmes can cost an awful lot of money.
There are less expensive sound systems than Phoenix and Sierra.
Dallee and RAM spring to mind.

[tangerine-jack]

Hmmm, looks like 'ol TJ just got an idea, if were to run that speaker wire under the bridge, then...yes,,,,,,,,,hmmm.....maybe................[%-)].....yes, I might could.......[banghead]... hmmm, CD player piped in from Manland............interesting, very interesting...........




[oX)]

[cacole]

I use a SoundTraxx DSX Sound-only decoder with my AirWire900 Wireless DCC system and it is working out very well. Even though it is designed primarily for smaller scales, a DSX has enough power to drive a 3" speaker with sufficient volume for outdoor use. I got the East Broad Top Shay decoder. This is certainly a cheaper way to go if you have DCC.

[highrailjon]

Searching around for a sound system for the Shay ,it looks like the pricing is around $240.00 to $295.00!!!!! That's almost two thirds of what the engine cost!!!!! [:(!]Especially considering it really consists of nothing more than a speaker, a circuit board, and a battery. In my O scale trains I can put the same thing in them for under a $100.00. What gives?
A way around it: In the mean time I have bought a cd disc of live steam sounds and set the portable cd player in the center of my layout. The kids love it!!! I plan to build a small factory or building to cover the cd player while it's on the layout. I'd rather keep the $300.00 in my wallet until a more sensible system is produced!!![:D]