Good Deal?

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C

chadmichaels

Member
As I was browsing MB Klien today I ran across this....how are these decoders? Are they realistic? reliable? I'm thinking of maybe getting a couple of these but want to make sure there worth it.

Chad
 


Kato makes great engines.

Loksound.... certainly makes expensive decoders. They're 100% customizable if you buy their programmer so if you want custom mp3 sounds, you can upload them to the decoder (as long as it's not the Loksound Select, which is only customizable by programming CVs)

The factory sound in the Loksound isn't as great as a Tsunami, but still decent.

Here are some comparison sound samples:

http://www.UlrichModels.com/Sound_Samples/SoundSamples.htm

Looks like Kato uses a Loksound Select in it. Here's Kato's ad:

[YOUTUBE]D95WSXM_si4[/YOUTUBE]
 
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Geeez, that's kinda pricey though.

In my opinion, I think Atlas Gold with QSI, and the Intermountain w/ Tsunami's are the best for the price. I just did a search and see the BLI is coming out with new SD40-2's with QSI sound.
 
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Have you heard the new Loksound Select? It's slightly better than the older Loksound 3.5

Personally, I'd rather get something without sound than to get something with QSI in it!
 


I have limited experience with Lok Sound but they work. I find that the tsunami sound os omre realistic, and the Tsunami is a little more versatile. You can manipulate the settings easier than on Lok Sound, unless like Eric says, you buy that proprietary programmer.

No experience with Lok Sound Select. Maybe they have improved things?
 
The Tsunami, as far as I know, is (and still is) the only decoder out there that lets you play with the EQ settings down to the frequency.

It also sounds the most realistic. When they recorded the sounds, they recorded the locomotive prime movers with no load, which is the only real downside to them IMHO. Starting with the SD70ACe/M-2, they recorded the prime mover under load so that you get the real hard working locomotive sounds. The Rapido FP9 will also have a Tsunami with a custom "hard-working engine" soundset.
 
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