Holy war time: best sound decoders

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Doing some research for a post-move project...
If size were not a concern, who makes the best sound decoders with the widest array of sounds and functionality?

[wvgca]

probably be Zimo / Esu  ...

[CNR5529]

To my ear, the ESU loksound line of decoders provides the best quality sound with the most interesting functions. You will need a Lokprogramer to upload any custom sound profiles, but it is worth it if you have multiple decoders. A member in our group bought one and its being used all the time. There are tons of sound profiles available, and new ones are constantly in development.

just my 0.02$

[jpwisc]

Out of all the brands I have tried, I’m happiest with ESU

[wmcbride]

ESU -- no doubt at all.

[nightmare0331]

My *personal* vote/opinion is for ESU.

Constantly adding sounds/files, constantly updating firmware and hardware, actually responsive to customers, no 'know it all/we know better then you attitude'...(to both individuals and OEM's)

Enjoy!

Kelley.
www.dufordmodelworks.com

[Mark W]

If size were not a concern...

Probably something like this... 


https://www.softube.com/images/solidstatelogic_4000.png

Then you'd need this enclosure...








On the serious side, ESU gets my money. 

[jdcolombo]

ESU. 

And I've tried Tsunami, Tsunami 2, Econami, Zimo, QSI, Paragon 2, Paragon 3, and TCS WoW.

ESU advantages: downloadable/upgradeable sound files; wide and deep library of US prototype sound files; the only one I know who has a full-time employee running around making NEW recordings of classic and modern diesel prime movers and classic steam (although Soundtraxx I think does their own recording, too - but their decoders don't have user-replaceable sound files); huge array of lighting options supported, including alternate flashing ditch lights, Mars, Gyra, Strobe, etc.; nearly infinitely programmable function keys that can execute complex macros if needed; motor control superior to all but Zimo; good US support both from manufacturer and hobbyist community; advanced features like Full Throttle.  Option to "roll your own" sound files with V.4 decoders.

Downsides - LokProgrammer required for sound file loading and a near necessity for advanced programming (JMRI will work for programming, but not as well).  Infinite flexibility means high degree of complication for advanced programming.

John C.

[peteski]

My decoder experience is mostly with steam locos.

I originally fell in love with the QSI Revolution decoder factory-installed in N scale Walthers Mallet.  The features and sound/lighting effects were phenomenal, and motor control and the cam-less chuff synchronization were also amazing!  It is even capable of speaking (in human voice) the values CV registers being  written when programming on main.   The sound fidelity was also very impressive.  The chuffs would sound labored if the loco was under load - you could even hear the side-rods clanking.  Then of course the brake pad squealing, and many other sound effects. And this was over 10 years ago (or even longer)!  The manual for it is a size of a small phone book! But QSI never really supported smaller scales - they are mainly large scale decoder manufacturer (H0 and larger).  They did announce a smaller N scale decoder  quite some time, but it never materialized (and it won't).

Other then QSI, I agree that for American prototype, ESU has no equals and is miles ahead of any competition.  Zimo decoders are pretty much as good as ESU, but they don't have a very wide choice of American prototype sound files (and many sound projects have to be purchased for additional licensing fee).

As far programming goes, the need for a custom proprietary sound downloading and CV programming hardware/software, this is true of all the currently available decoders.  For just CV programming JMRI is also highly recommended because with so many CV registers, they use single or double indexing schemes which makes manual programming a big hassle.

So to recap my ramblings, ESU comes out as the winner for American prototype sound decoder.  More and more model manufacturers gravitating to ESU for factory installed sound is also telling.

[Steveruger45]

Esu for me too for all the same reasons as others have mentioned.
I finally finished esu-izing my entire fleet either loksound or lokpilot.
I still have a couple of sound cars with econami’s in which are pretty good too. 
The plus with the econamis in the sound cars is I can select a different prime mover on the fly by changing a cv.  That is useful/convenient  when I want to put the sound car on a different non-sound loco.  It also enables me to have a two loco consist, lead one with esu sound and the other with a lokpilot and the sound car immediately behind it in the train..

[MVW]

So what I'm hearing is ... no one likes ESU. 

Jim

[Ed Kapuscinski]

ESU is crap. Go MRC.

Got it.

Seriously though, thanks everyone!

[Philip H]

ESU is crap. Go MRC.

Got it.

Seriously though, thanks everyone!

This is not the flamewar you are looking for . . . .

[jdcolombo]

I'm helping a guy with a large HO layout and lots of engines (over 100 total) reprogram his DCC decoders to get the engines all to run at more realistic speeds, have the headlight on, etc.  Many of these engines have sound, and the decoders span the complete gamut - from first-generation Tsunamis, QSI, Paragon, to the latest TCS WoW and ESU LokSound.  Doing this gives one a good feel for how each type of decoder sounds, operates, and programs.  And while I've tried to keep an open mind, there's not much question after a couple of weeks of tinkering that the LokSound is simply better - it sounds better, it is in many ways easier to program (particularly easier than QSI's early decoders), has better motor control, etc.  As Peteski notes, the fact that a lot of manufacturers are going the LokSound route for factory sound tells you something, and I'm sure that it's not because ESU is cheaper.  It's not that the other modern decoders (WoW, TSU2, Paragon 3) are "bad" - it's just that ESU is better in almost every way, at least when it comes to diesels.  For steam, ESU still needs to expand its steam sound file availability.  The old "multiple" sound files that claim to cover multiple wheel arrangements really aren't very good; the new ones (e.g., the SP Daylight file, the UP FEF file, the Soo 2-8-2) are all superb.  But Matt really needs to get the many recordings he has done converted into new files on the steam front.  Right now, steam is a weak point in ESU's lineup.

John C.

[Cajonpassfan]

I'm helping a guy with a large HO layout and lots of engines (over 100 total) reprogram his DCC decoders to get the engines all to run at more realistic speeds, have the headlight on, etc.  Many of these engines have sound, and the decoders span the complete gamut - from first-generation Tsunamis, QSI, Paragon, to the latest TCS WoW and ESU LokSound.  Doing this gives one a good feel for how each type of decoder sounds, operates, and programs.  And while I've tried to keep an open mind, there's not much question after a couple of weeks of tinkering that the LokSound is simply better.....
...
 For steam, ESU still needs to expand its steam sound file availability.  The old "multiple" sound files that claim to cover multiple wheel arrangements really aren't very good; the new ones (e.g., the SP Daylight file, the UP FEF file, the Soo 2-8-2) are all superb.  But Matt really needs to get the many recordings he has done converted into new files on the steam front.  Right now, steam is a weak point in ESU's lineup.

John C.

John makes a very good point, steam is a weak point for ESU.
Most of you guys are diesel guys, and I agree, ESU is tops. But for steam, with its "different personalities", it's not so simple and at this time, TSU2 gets my top vote. I also like to throw in an ocassional WOW decoder and even a new generation MRC (oh the horrors🙀) to get away from the monotony of repetitious and predictable sound effects. Truly "playable" whistles are also key to anyone who's ever heard steam in action.
Otto K.