Drop in SOund decoders for Kato deisels

[rochsub]

I've been running my new challenger on the Rochelle Sub this week and have really enjoyed the sound feature.  Been thinking it would be  nice if there were drop in sound decoders for Kato diesels as I have quite a few of them.  WHile looking at the MRC website searching for info on programming the challenger I noticed that MRC will have drop in decoders for Kato locos.  Loooks like the speaker is mounted on the decoder board so that there is no wiring or milling of the frame.  Does anyone have one of these decoders or know information about them.  I would be interested in learning more than what is listed on the website, especiually, "how do they sound?" 
http://www.modelrec.com/search/product-view.asp?ID=7757


Daryl

[SirTainly]

Wow that looks very cool, I still have an AC4400CW awaiting a decoder, I'll hold out for one of those I think.

[Mark5]

decoder mounted speakers ... I'm skeptical about sound quality ...

[wm3798]

I wonder if that'll work in my SD-40's...
Boy is this hobby ever getting expensive!

Lee

[engineshop]

decoder mounted speakers ... I'm skeptical about sound quality ...

If my engine is three or four feet away, I don't need a room filling rumble. Sound should be 1:160 as well.
I definately give this decoder and the one for P42 a try.

[Mark5]

decoder mounted speakers ... I'm skeptical about sound quality ...

If my engine is three or four feet away, I don't need a room filling rumble. Sound should be 1:160 as well.
I definately give this decoder and the one for P42 a try.

Ah but your ears are 1:1 

Please let us know the results.

[rochsub]

Well, the MRC website says "soon to be available" and "coming in March 2007."  I went ahead and ordered one from Tony's Train Exchange for $63.75 (list is $84.98).  Tony's accepted the order, but I'm not sure if that means they are in stock or I'll get it when they get it.  We'll see.

Daryl

www.rochellesub.com
www.stpaulrochelle.org/blog

[TiVoPrince]

RUN
Mr. Wallet, run for your life...

[Ian MacMillan]

I saw them installed in a Kato P42 at the Kato booth at Springfield. I finally ended hearing it, and it was ok. Nothing earth shaking, but it was reasonable.

[John]

POVC has an MRC in a GP38 .. it sounds ok ..

[TiVoPrince]

Probably
want them first for a SD45 helper set.  Then maybe a SD38-2 pair.  After that it could get seriously ugly for my financial statement...

[rochsub]

POVC has an MRC in a GP38 .. it sounds ok ..

The big question is how does the size of the speaker affect the sound?  Having the speaker in the narrow hood of an AC6000 requires a different sized speaker than in the P42 or the fuel tank of a GP38.  

Daryl

[Ian MacMillan]

POVC has an MRC in a GP38 .. it sounds ok ..

The big question is how does the size of the speaker affect the sound?  Having the speaker in the narrow hood of an AC6000 requires a different sized speaker than in the P42 or the fuel tank of a GP38. 

Daryl

The speaker is the same size for the AC6000 and the P42 as it is board mounted. And like I said before it is passable. The speaker can affect the range of the sound, but a smaller speaker can do just as well. I suggest turning down the MRC decoders, as out of the "box" the sound is too loud and easily becomes distorted.

[POVC]

POVC has an MRC in a GP38 .. it sounds ok ..

Actually I have two of the MRC decoders, one in a GP38 and one in an SD35 (a third decoder isn't working, I'm not sure if it was bad initially or if I screwed up and let out the magic blue smoke).

As others have noted, the sound is passable.  I think the sound quality in the PCM E7's is better, but then the LokSound decoder they use also has two speakers and is twice the price.  I actually like the random sounds in the MRC decoder better than those in the LokSound.

I'm glad to see that MRC is expanding their range of sound decoders; I hope they continue.   I have a pair of the new Kato SD70M's, so I'll probably refit one of them.  I'd like to see them add a board for the Atlas SD50 / SD60.

Tim

[gunner]

Hmmmm.... It fits the SD70MAC, that's gonna hurt!  If it fits into the SD70m's it's really gonna hurt!!!!