DCC/Sound Decoder for Latest Run of Atlas S-4

[TrainCat2]

BBTOH arrived today with an unexpectedly gift. My brother sent me two B&O S-4's (Silver ver latest run). Everywhere I search for the appropriate DCC/Snd decoder, I keep getting the results for the older pre 2016 "legacy" runs and not the latest 2020/21 run. Anyone put a sound decoder in the latest run of S-4's? I would be interested which decoder you used and how well it preformed.

[jdcolombo]

The sound decoder for these models was a specially-designed board by ESU that has never been available commercially.  I don't think you can get them - I don't see them listed as a spare part on Atlas' web site.

Not sure if any of the currently-available ESU sound decoders would fit this model; the LokSound 5 micro is likely too wide; the LoKSound Nano might fit, but I've never tried it.

John C.

[peteski]

It wouldn't hurt to contact both Atlas and ESU, and inquire about that decoder.  Maybe one of them has some spares hanging around, willing to sell.

Here is a photo of that  decoder (both sides). It is the shorter one marked "Atlas".

[garethashenden]

Is the Gold S4 out yet? Maybe I missed it, but I've only seen the silver ones for sale. As if the sound fitted ones haven't been produced yet.

[reinhardtjh]

Is the Gold S4 out yet? Maybe I missed it, but I've only seen the silver ones for sale. As if the sound fitted ones haven't been produced yet.

I don't think so.  The Atlas Production page shows the S4 with a partial shipment was send out in August.  Based on what I've seen online in the stores I think only the silver versions shipped and the Gold did not - maybe because ESU didn't have any decoders ready.  Only Atlas knows.

[peteski]

Hmmm . . .  I wonder if the will just re-run the original V4 decoder, or will they have to spin up a brand new V5 decoder for that loco.

Actually to answer my own question, there are no more microcontroller chips used on V4, so they will likely have to make a new V5 decoder. Unless of course they still have a stash of the original decoders.

[Steveruger45]

Hmmm . . .  I wonder if the will just re-run the original V4 decoder, or will they have to spin up a brand new V5 decoder for that loco.

Actually to answer my own question, there are no more microcontroller chips used on V4, so they will likely have to make a new V5 decoder. Unless of course they still have a stash of the original decoders.

Not so sure a completely new loco specific decoder would be needed now.
 The current nano or possibly even the current micro could fit.
Will be interesting to see.

[peteski]

Not so sure a completely new loco specific decoder would be needed now.
 The current nano or possibly even the current micro could fit.
Will be interesting to see.

Sure, but they would still have to produce appropriate adapter board for the decoder.   Also, vertical clearance would likely be problematic (so the frames would likely have to be redesigned).