I had this decoder installed into a Decapod, and it has great chuff and bell. The whistle is distorted however at high volumes and I assume its because of the poor speaker or baffling job or maybe the tender itself doesn't lend to a good vibration?. I guess I should have the guy look at it again. Problem is, I love running this loco so much I have put off getting it fixed!
The way it chuffs around the dcc layout is so pleasurable...yes, pure joy...it goes at very slow speeds too. Sound is immediate with movement! If you are thinking of a steamer you won;t go wrong with a Bach Decapod in Ho. As long as the QC holds up for the varioius runs of this engine, and no damage in shipping happens, this loco runs like a Swiss watch.
For the price of the decoder,install and Bach decapod--I could of bought a Trix sound Mikado. I probably would of done that instead but at the time I bought the Decapod the Trix Mike was over $450 street! Now its $250...thats a great deal, but however tempting I am a little concerned about service because of the takeover of Maerklin.
Tom M.
LGBFan123 wrote: I had this decoder installed into a Decapod, and it has great chuff and bell. The whistle is distorted however at high volumes and I assume its because of the poor speaker or baffling job or maybe the tender itself doesn't lend to a good vibration?. I guess I should have the guy look at it again. Problem is, I love running this loco so much I have put off getting it fixed! The way it chuffs around the dcc layout is so pleasurable...yes, pure joy...it goes at very slow speeds too. Sound is immediate with movement! If you are thinking of a steamer you won;t go wrong with a Bach Decapod in Ho. As long as the QC holds up for the varioius runs of this engine, and no damage in shipping happens, this loco runs like a Swiss watch. For the price of the decoder,install and Bach decapod--I could of bought a Trix sound Mikado. I probably would of done that instead but at the time I bought the Decapod the Trix Mike was over $450 street! Now its $250...thats a great deal, but however tempting I am a little concerned about service because of the takeover of Maerklin. Tom M.
In the meantime until the speaker is replaced, you can lower the volume on the whistle.
CV129 is the whistle volume.
Turn down the volume and that should correct some of the distortion. The biggest problem with installing any sound decoder is the quality of the speaker. If the person who installed it didn't use a good speaker, nothing is going to improve the sound quality.
cacole wrote: Turn down the volume and that should correct some of the distortion. The biggest problem with installing any sound decoder is the quality of the speaker. If the person who installed it didn't use a good speaker, nothing is going to improve the sound quality.
Well, I tried that (volume down) but then you dont get enuff sound for it. I think its either the quality of speaker or baffle job he did. One good thing about paying for install is that i dont have to fuss with it myself!
Someday i will take it back and let the guy know. The one who gave me the loco after the install didn't happen to be the one who installed it, so i have yet to talk to that actual installer. I have a VERY GOOD rep with this hobby shop (Milepost 38 model trains) they are the nicest in the LA/OC calif. area so I dont think they will give me a run around.
Regards,