I know in the past MRC sound decoders haven't been the best in the market, if not downright terrible. I have heard that they have made improvements though. In particular, I am asking about the 1827 for the Kato PAs and the 1828 for the SD-50/60s. As it stands, these decoders cost about as much as the new locomotive. So, are they worth it? How is the sound? Is it the correct sound for the locomotive? Thanks in advance. Andy
I don't own any myself, but based on what I've been reading on the various forums, MRC doesn't seem to have a very good reputation when it comes to decoders.
I bought a few. Both 16XX and 18XX series. If they worked, they were O.K. I had failures. Customer service was not the best. I won't buy any more.
They seem to be getting better, although the prices also seem to be increasing. I just last night installed a decoder similar to these in a clubmate's Kato E- unit. It sounds much better than the MRC sound decoders I was installing for members just a couple years ago. I don't know if they've just gotten the memo that people want better sound or what. In this case, the shell made a big difference. The thing sound really weak and tinny until we put the shell back on, which apparently gave it a bit of a resonance chamber. Is it as good as a Soundtraxx Tsunami? No. I have also not parted with any cash yet for an MRC decoder. I have a factory installed one in my Athearn Challenger and I am thinking of replacing it with the Tsunami that has come out just because the sounds can only be better than what I have.
A while back, I got 6 of them. One steam, the other 5 diesel plug and play decoders. 3 have/had problems, like one won't stop moving, one won't start moving, and one went up in smoke in my hands. A 50% failure rate is not acceptable to me. I've since gotten out of N scale and sold the decoder-equipped engines that still ran. They still do run, and make appropriate noises. The one with the bad motor driver is now piggybacked onto a real decoder, and a larger speaker has been installed for use in an HO locomotive. I don't think I'd go out looking for any more of them.
yikes, i was just about to get a 1644 when i read this thread...reconsidering (which also means i need to save more cash for other decoders haha)...
I'm a relative newcomer to N scale having just started a year ago after many years of collecting HO. Since then, I have installed MRC N guage drop-in DCC sound controllers in 2 F-7s, 4 P-42s and a couple of FP-40s as well as a couple of steam locomotives. The sound is reasonably good and the locomotives run fine. I suspect from what I have been reading on other posts that people have had a lot of trouble with MRC controllers in the past, but I have to say that I have been generally happy with my results from recent controllers. The sound quality seems to have improved somewhat in the last year as the FP-40s have much stronger sound than earlier locomotives I modified, but this may be due to many factors. The instructions leave a little to be desired as some areas are a bit unclear and I have had to use trial and error to get everything to work right. Still, I am a satisfied customer and feel that, for the money, these controllers are good value, especially considering the lack of drop-in type controllers available from other manufacturers. Gerry
I just received 3 new MRC 1955 16 bit sound decoders for Atlas GP7/9/30/35. I did test one and it worked and sounded pretty good. As soon as my 3 pre-ordered GP7s arrive I will give them a try. The only sound equiped loco I have is a Life Like FA set with a Soundtraxx in the B unit. It works and sounds very well I just wished it was in a Atlas or Kato loco.
I used 2 MRCs for Kato F40PHs - one was dead on arrival. I sent it back and got a replacement for free. Nevertheless - a 50% failure rate is pretty high, compared to 0% failure rate with Lenz decoders (which I have many more!) or 15% with Digitrax. The sound is acceptable - it's about all one can get in N. Anyone who has felt an approaching train when standing trackside will know what I mean. It's just that those tiny devices don't shake the ground as 1:1 diesels do... Michael
If you want sound coming from within a hood diesel, you have only 3 choices: MRC, Digitrax, and ESU Loksound. Only these 3 manufacturers have decoders 10mm wide or less. The Digitrax is the most difficult as it fits only in a limited range of engines without a lot of creative frame milling. The sound is also the worst, plus capacitors must be added to prevent constant stalling/restarting.The speaker is too large for the shell, you have to replace it or mill the fuel tank. OTOH, it has extra functions for lighting which is why I often use it. The ESU Loksound I have no experience with. There is an issue with having to use high-impedance speakers, and there may not be any small enough for hood diesels unless you mill the fuel tank. They are also the most expensive, and come with a speaker you cannot use (too large). Some people say the sound volume is too low, and it is a hard-wired decoder. The MRC has only 2 lighting functions, comes in a large variety of configurations and compared to the other two, is by far the easiest to install. When the 32 ohm speaker is replaced with an 8 ohm, the sound is almost too loud, and must be turned down. I have an 1828 in an SD60F with twin speakers, and I like it. I also have 1644 and 1806 types and they are listed as 1644-2 and 1806-2 so some type of upgrades from the original have been done. They have 4 prime movers, the AC4400CW, the SD50/60, the Alco 251 and the SD40-2 or SD70 depending on the type. The bell sounds are the best I have heard including Soundtraxx, the motor sounds are fine-in N scale, the speaker and enclosure are way more important than the recorded sound I think, given that the sound will be less than impressive at best. I have had one used original 1806 fail and it was promptly replaced at no cost. I've had no problems with any others and I like to tinker with them, ie moving/changing the LEDs, adding more speakers, adding ditch lights to the motor tabs, etc. I'm waiting for the 16-bit (CD sound quality) 19xx series eagerly. They are also supposed to have better motor control, although I have no real issues with that. I really think they have improved their product in the last 3 years. Since you can get most of the decoders for under $60, it's a good value.
I have 1827s in my Kato PA's, the only reason I don't run them much these days is that I got some BLI PA's, those guys know how to do sound but don't have much N scale marketing savvy. I've been putting 1955s in my Atlas geeps and 1812's in my SD24's and they are pretty good as well. MRC sound decoders seem to get the same bad rap as Bachmann locomotives do from those who only have older versions that weren't so good or the 'I don't have any, but I've heard...." crowd. And, until Soundtraxx or Digitrax finally decide to take them on instead of giving N scalers sound decoders that require extensive milling of frames, they are the only drop-in sound decoders out there.
huh? MRC - DCC Series - N GAUGE DIESEL DUAL MODE DROP IN DECODER: KATO SD70MAC AND AC4400*, Item: 0001644, TRAIN CONTROLS/DCC you must be looking at the 1642...sweet deal but with shipping its practically the same price as elsewhere.
As mentioned above, for many loco's MRC is your only real option. They are not perfect but each new release gets better. I just put one in an Atlas Dash 8-40CW and added a DZ125 to operate the ditchlights. It was tight but all fit in the loco without any milling. All in all, it sounds decent and it is better than nothing. Tsunmai or Loc Sound decoders are just to big to fit. Digitrax is starting to do drop in boards that are better than thier first universal decoder as they now the the primemover sound into the BEMF, a weakness of the SDN144PS.
wow two decoders, is there a tutorial on this? im thinking about modding my dash8bhw to have ditchlights and would love them to blink coming into the station!
So I've picked up from this thread that the 1900 series is 16 bit and the latest generation of decoder. Will there be a 19xx of every current offering, like the one for Atlas GP40s? I see their site only lists the 1800 series. Also, they list an upcoming board for a "modern EMD switcher." Does this mean the MP15? If so sweet!!!
Their decoders for the Kato C44-9s sound really good but the body shell wont sit on the frame correctly unless you do some trimming. I had to completely remove all the plastic underneath the radiator section and file down the inside of the hood...it was a pain. Also, even with the volume all the way up the sounds are hard to hear. On my EMD locos I am in the process of installing BLMA radiator fans & grilles to let the sound out. I would do the same on the dash 9s but I don't think anyone makes radiator grilles in N.
