Anybody heard the MRC diesel sound system?

[Anonymous]

I saw the ad on the back of the latest MR, and it might be just the thing for a "financially challenged" individual like myself! But it doesn't say anything about what make (EMD/Alco/GE) or generation of loco it is supposed to sound like - NOT a good sign!

Have any of you heard one of these things? If so, how do you like it?

[cacole]

If it's anything like their steam sound system, it's very generic and not made to sound like any particular prototype.

[simon1966]

http://www.modelrectifier.com/products/trainSound/product.asp?ID=1649&Subcategory=Sound%20systems

To give MRC the benefit of the doubt, this is a new system and I suspect has not yet found its way onto the market yet. Like their new line of sound decoders,

[bpickering]

QUOTE: Originally posted by simon1966
To give MRC the benefit of the doubt, this is a new system and I suspect has not yet found its way onto the market yet. Like their new line of sound decoders,

I don't have ready access to the announcement, since it came in on my other computer, but IF I remember right, Athearn announced adding MRC DCC & Sound to their Genesis line starting this fall. (sample unit, with no details yet... http://www.athearn.com/Product/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATHG25061). From the sounds of it, they'll be aiming for polyphonic sound. I would like to hear it before purchasing, though. I love QSI's and Soundtrax's DSX sound, but haven't seen particularly good comments about MRC's previous sound units.

Guess we'll have to wait and hear.

Brian Pickering

[Anonymous]

Hmmmm...kinda what I expected...

[AntonioFP45]

I became excited when I read that Athearn Genesis F units will be available with sound. I must admit that when info was posted that it would be MRC's sound system I almost asked: "What is Athearn doing????!"

I heard an MRC equipped Blue Box HO unit back in 2003. No offense to those that own one but my response was basically: "YUCK!" To me it was surprising since MRC set industry standards for a few decades. Appeared that they dropped the ball with quality sound and was offering a "Generic--People On A Budget Will Buy It--Unit". Being a larger company, had MRC taken Soundtraxx's route and invested more heavily into sound technology.........what we could have had now! MRC and QSI could have been going head-to-head today.

A friend of mine told me that he's heard a newer styled MRC sound equipped locomotive. He stated that it sounded better than the sound decoders of just a few years ago, however, it still did not sound as good as his DSX equipped HO locomotive.

In giving the Athearn/MRC partnership in this venture the benefit of the doubt, perhaps this will be a better sounding unit with a circuit board and enclosure similar to what QSI uses? I do wonder as it would be a shame that one of Athearn's best looking locomotives would come equipped with a second rate sound unit. Hopefully MRC got it right!

Realistically speaking, what's the first thing most of us will do when we hear one of these new units? COMPARE IT TO A BLI! So if Athearn and MRC blow it, most of us won't hesitate to let them know IMMEDIETELY!

Just my thoughts.

Peace.