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Sound Decoders

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  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: SE Minnesota
  • 6,847 posts
Sound Decoders
Posted by jrbernier on Friday, November 1, 2024 3:39 PM

  It has been a month since I have seen a now discussion on the forum.

  That said, what is current 'go to' sound decoder for Athearn EMD diesels?

Modeling BNSF  and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin

  • Member since
    March 2011
  • From: Westford MA
  • 550 posts
Posted by Tophias on Friday, November 1, 2024 4:39 PM

Hi Jim, good to see you back here on the forum. It's been a while since I remember seeing you here. 
To answer your question, my go to is Soundtraxx, either Tsunami2 or even Economi. But probably most people here would suggest to go with LokSound. Both have their advantages. Soundtraxx is easier to program (less complicated) and you don't need to get into sound file downloading and/or proprietary hardware. On the other hand, LokSound offers infinite amount of programming details. Both, in my opinion, offer  equivalent sounding sound files. I suspect others here will offer differing opinions.

Regards, Chris 

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,893 posts
Posted by maxman on Friday, November 1, 2024 7:57 PM

Yes, welcome back.

I suggest you change the title of your post to something like "Current Sound Decoder Recommendations For Athearn Diesels?" or something similar.

"New Discussion" will probably not attract much of an audience.

  • Member since
    February 2015
  • From: Ludington, MI
  • 1,867 posts
Posted by Water Level Route on Thursday, November 7, 2024 5:22 AM

Hi Jim! My current favorite is the Soundtraxx Econami. It sounds just as good as the others and does everything I need for less cost. I suggest you decide if you need some of the more advanced features that a Tsunami, TCS, or Loksound can offer and go that route if you do. If you don't need those features, I think you would be very happy with the Econami. 

Mike

  • Member since
    March 2011
  • From: Westford MA
  • 550 posts
Posted by Tophias on Thursday, November 7, 2024 7:18 AM

Jim, I might add that last year I  converted some old QSI decoder equipped locomotives to new 21 pin decoders (mostly Soundtraxx). I had never installed any decoders before so I was a bit apprehensive. I discovered a universal mother board called Decoder Buddy that made the process very easy. You solder all connections to the Decoder Buddy board then just snap in the 21 pin decoder. The beauty is if you do some faulty soldering you do no harm to the decoder. Well worth the $12 investment.

Regards, Chris 

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: SE Minnesota
  • 6,847 posts
Posted by jrbernier on Thursday, November 7, 2024 7:58 AM

Chris, I have heard lots of good things about Decoder Buddy - Thanks!

Modeling BNSF  and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin

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