I am seriously looking at getting this loco with sound, but I have heard some not so nice things about the MRC (?) decoder. The Atlas is about a $100 more, but is it really worth $100 more? The Athearn is a stunning model on its own, but I am concerned about the decoder. I heard/read something about difficulties programming it? Any opinions, pros/cons would be appreciated. I run the NCE DCC system if that helps. Thanks Edward
I have a mix of Soundtraxx and QSI sound decoders which all work and program much the same way (in particular volume settings, inertia/sound relationship). I had an Athearn Genesis SD45-2 with the MRC decoder and it behaved/programmed quite differently and annoyed the hell out of me - but YMMV. The engine itself wasn't a particularly good runner either (start speed was variable and wouldn't crawl) compared with my P2k and Atlas stuff and actually didn't really fit well with my RR schemes (my bad). So I ebayed it within a month or two of purchase, though the decoder was only one of the issues I had. I also have NCE.
Since I'm in DC and not DCC I can't make comparisons about sound and so on. The Atlas MP15 is not detail spacific and the Athearn model is. It might be possible to buy the Athearn DCC model and install the system of your choice. The Athearn model is very good in details and so on. The Espee version has the correct details for Espee where the Atlas is generic and details are not as good.
As you said EdwardC, the Athearn MP15AC is a stunning model. I thought the sound was pretty good too. The basic DC model ran really well. I have a Kato switcher and I put them on the test track and the Athearn moved away and reached the end of the test track before the Kato switcher started moving. It will C_R_A_W_L, so installing a decoder should not affect the running characteristics. The Atlas switcher is an MP15DC not and MP15AC. I thought that the sound (on DC power) on the Athearn DCC version was very good. I can't comment on the running characteristics on DCC but you're starting off with a model that runs very well so unless the decoder has some inherent problems, I can't see why it wouldn't run well on DCC. See my review posted HERE
Yes I read your review, very good BTW, and thats what pushed my towards the Athearn but the decoder is still a big question mark. I had thought of getting the version without sound and adding it but I don't think that version has the space for the speaker. I just put a SoundTraxx decoder into my Proto 2k GP9 and it was a very tight squeeze for the size of the speaker 3/4 inch. Thanks for the input Edward
Edward, I took both of them apart. The DC version has a weight where the speaker goes. The speaker is oval, in a reactangular housing. Removing the weight which is above the front truck will allow you to install a speaker. The weight is held on by screws in the corners. These correspond with the screw holes on the speaker installed in the sound version. It shouldn't be hard to get a decoder and speaker in there. To get the shell off, all you have to do is to unscrew the coupler pocket screws and remove the couplers (pocket and all). The shell then slides right off.
Great, thank you very very much:thumbs_up::thumbs_up: I may go that route now, then I can put in whatever I want Thanks again Edward
You're welcome sir, Once you complete that project, it would be great if you could post your impressions on: 1. the sound system that you installed 2. The running qualities with a non-MRC decoder installed. Thanks, -Dee
Ed, nothing but trouble with mine, went back today for second time, bad right out of box, last straw this time, will go with Tsumani 645 non turbo decoder next time, Ray
Sorry Ed, did'nt notice post date of your thread, you probaly own several by now, but they still have a major problem
As far as I know, the Athearn MP15AC now comes with the SoundTraxx Tsunami decoder. The older versions had the MRC decoder. Athearn - HO MP15AC w/DCC & Sound, SP #2732 Lex
I have an MP15-ac which came with factory-installed sound. The MRC decoder worked for 40 minutes then died. I have now fitted a Tsunami decoder - works really well - and not bothered getting the MRC decoder replaced. See for yourself. http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=JonGrant4472#p/a/u/1/T1u5KvbiIzY BTW, the model itself is superb - I got mine as an undec, with additional/optional parts Jon
You should check out Broadway Limited Paragon 2 series Sw1500(not a Mp15),but this unit comes with DC/DCC and sound.They are not avaliable yet but you can pre-order one at Factory direct trains for $159.00 and put down a 01 cent deposit.The sound system on BLI's loco's are Awesome,they sound really good!You can run the loco in DC and still operate the sound with a hand held controller(theirs).
Hey all, Sorry to necro the thread, but I have an opportunity to get one of the Athearn units for a very low price. However, talk of this MRC business has me slightly concerned. I'm buying this engine over the internet from a dealer, so how do you tell if it's the MRC type or the Tsunami type? I was looking at a CP Rail painted one (#1429) if that helps? Thanks for any and all help.
Check out this link (below). These are the current numbers offered by Athearn. All current models should have the Tsunami decoder. Athearn discontinued the MRC decoder some time ago. 1429 doesn't appear in this lineup. It could be from an earlier run but unless someone here has one with that number (and states so), I don't know how you would be able to tell which decoder it has prior to purchasing it. Current Athearn SOO MP15AC units
Just as an update, the first unit I got was a terrible runner and I sent it back. Something inside the engine was making a very lound grinding noise that was actually overpowering the speaker. I don't 'do' internal work on my engines, so back to Trainworld it went. The new one, however, is much smoother. It doesn't quite purr, but it gets the job done. I still not, however, place this engine in the same league as Atlas products.
The MRC-equipped units will be in the yellow and blue box, and the Tsunami-equipped ones will be in the all-blue box.
