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armorsmith
Brakeman
Posts:17
Send Message
 | | 07/06/2008 7:27 PM |
| Fellow model railroaders,
I am returning to the model railroad hobby after a long hiatus, and am looking for some help.
I purchased a Bachmann Spectrum K27 and am ready to upgrade and install a sound system, but have been overwhelmed by the variety of vendors. I would be interested in any feedback by members of the group on which sound system they might recommend and what influenced their recommendation. As I am sure there are vendors as well as hobbyists here, I would welcome their input as well. As always, price is a consideration, however I am more interested in quality, durability, ease installation and compatibility.
I am currently running (and for the foreseeable future) track power on my club layout, but will be eventually moving to battery/rc for home.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Bob C. | | | |
| lownote
1st Class Member
Arlington VA
Conductor
Posts:565
Send Message
| | 07/06/2008 7:41 PM |
| Most people will tell you to go with Phoenix, and they are very good. I have one Phoenix card in a steam engine and it has a very wide range of prototypical sounds. I don't run on DCC, so I'm only touching what it can really do. It was easy to install. My soundcard went bad on me after four months, but I sent it in and they quickly fixed it.
The thing I don't like about Phoenix is the reverb they put on the sounds--they have a "processed" sound that bugs me. Some people don't hear it and if they do hear it don't care. I kind of drives me nuts. The whistle blows, and I hear a reverb that sounds like a big room, like a very big enclosed station. A nice sound, but not appropriate to a train running out in the open.
Here's an example--listen to the "tail" after the whistle stops blowing:
http://www.phoenixsound.com/wav/1361.wav
Also the chuffs sound odd to me, like they have been heavily processed
There was also a review of diesel sound on Garden Railways in December 2007, by Gary Raymond, that noticed exactly the same thing, the processing on the Phoenix diesel sounds. But if you don't hear it and it doesn't bug you then it doesn't matter.
These are minor quiblles, but they are enough to make me want to try a different sound card. I'm not sure if others would be better.
here's an earlier thread on the same subject
http://www.mylargescale.com/Community/Forums/tabid/56/forumid/17/tpage/1/view/topic/postid/33966/Default.aspx#34260 | |
Evading the Midas touch of expertise
http://chnm.gmu.edu/courses/magic/westover/ | |
| Greg Elmassian
1st Class Member
Carlsbad (San Diego), CA
Engineer
Posts:1311
Send Message
| | 07/06/2008 7:52 PM |
| If you are running DC, then the Phoenix is a good choice, a bit pricey, but good. If you change to RC later and use AirWire, the AirWire system will allow remote control of the sounds.
I'd recommend it also.
Regards, Greg | |
Be sure to visit my site, lots of technical tips and modifications, and you can search for topics and key words.
Click here for Greg's web site | |
| Del Tapparo
1st Class Member
Fort Collins, Colorado
Foreman
Posts:220
Send Message
| | 07/06/2008 8:08 PM |
| | Phoenix! | |
G-Scale Graphics
Custom Vinyl Lettering & Simple Low Cost Battery Power
www.GScaleGraphics.net | |
| calenelson
Non-Paying Member
Foreman
Posts:399
Send Message
| | 07/07/2008 5:42 AM |
| not necessiarly a sound card recomedation but here is a list of K Mods all in one place...some future questions may be answered here:
http://www.largescalecentral.com/LSCForums/viewtopic.php?id=9123
I demo'ed a Phoenix at the SELSTS last year and was most impressed, although I do not own one, I imagine it would be a good choice for your loco! there is a great deal of flexibility avail on the Phoenix!
cale
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‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King I tell you. | |
| Torby
1st Class Member
North Chicago 'burbs.
Engineer
Posts:1736
Send Message
| | 07/07/2008 7:30 AM |
| | If you're considering inexpensive cards, around $100, go with http://www.smallscalerailway.com instead of dallee. | |
 "If Christianity was something we were making up, of course we could make it easier. But it is not. We cannot compete, in simplicity with people who are inventing religions. How could we? We are dealing with Fact. Of course anyone can be simple if he has no facts to bother about."-- C. S. Lewis | |
| armorsmith
Brakeman
Posts:17
Send Message
| | 07/09/2008 1:04 PM |
| | Thank you to all that replied, your input was greatly appreciated. | | | |
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