What is the best DCC sound option for dc Rivarossi Big Boy conversion?

thrawn5499 Apr 10, 2014

  1. thrawn5499

    thrawn5499 TrainBoard Member

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    Hi, I am looking at converting my ho rivarossi big boy to dc with sound. I know there are a few options as what I could use but I have no experience with dcc sound for steam, so I am not sure what one I should get. It looks like loksound is pretty highly recommended. Also tsunami heavy steam seems to be popular. What would you guys recommend for sound quality and reliability? Thx
     
  2. retsignalmtr

    retsignalmtr TrainBoard Member

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    Locsound or Soundtrax
     
  3. thrawn5499

    thrawn5499 TrainBoard Member

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    What locsound decoder do I need? And what speakers would give me the best sound?
     
  4. retsignalmtr

    retsignalmtr TrainBoard Member

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    I have one loco with the Tsunami. Don't know which one you would need but you could check their websites. I like the sound of it a lot.
     
  5. thrawn5499

    thrawn5499 TrainBoard Member

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    it looks like this is the one I would need if I went with Tsunami soundtraxx TSU1000 is that correct? it is the heavy steam one. Just to make sure it will also control the movement too correct? I don't need a separate decoder for that do I? also should I use their speakers, or are there other better ones to use? I just want to make sure I get the right thing. I have a tendency to read about this stuff for hours in so much detail I over look the simple thing right in front of me and then what I get does not work for what I needed.

    I am still interested in the Loksound too, if anyone has any info on what I would need to get. I think I read their speakers are 100 ohm so I would have to make sure I got speakers compatible with their system if I went with them.

    thx
     
  6. COverton

    COverton TrainBoard Supporter

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    My preference for the past two years has been the QSI Titan. It's hard to beat either LokSound or the new QSI's.
     
  7. thrawn5499

    thrawn5499 TrainBoard Member

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    Cool thx I just read the Titan_Steam_RevB.pdf and it does sound pretty nice. I will add it to the list of ones to consider.
     
  8. retsignalmtr

    retsignalmtr TrainBoard Member

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    You have to be sure the decoder you get controls the motor functions as well as the sound. If you already have a non sound decoder you could get a sound only decoder and program it to the same address.
     
  9. thrawn5499

    thrawn5499 TrainBoard Member

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    right now it is just a DC unit, so i need one to control sound and motion. Will I need anything special for add the sounds to either the LOKSound or the QSI? right now I just have the NCE PowerCab. It looks like the Tsunami already comes with the sound onboard where the other 2 you have to add it. is that correct? I downloaded some of the QSI sound files and installed the software and found one I like for the engine. I am guessing I have to also buy something to get it added to the decoder.

    thanks for the help.
     
  10. river_eagle

    river_eagle TrainBoard Member

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    The first thing we need to know is which version of the Rivarossi BB do you have?
     
  11. thrawn5499

    thrawn5499 TrainBoard Member

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    It was an old blue box one if that helps. I don't have the box now, I think the wife pitched thinking it was garbage...
     
  12. river_eagle

    river_eagle TrainBoard Member

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    is the motor in the cab, or inside the boiler?
     
  13. thrawn5499

    thrawn5499 TrainBoard Member

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    It is in the Cab
     
  14. river_eagle

    river_eagle TrainBoard Member

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    With the dodgey pickup and clunky three pole motor, I would take a hard look at the TCS WOW Steam "Keep Alive" decoder.
    http://tcsdcc.com/public_html/Zen/

    side note; opening up the tender is an adventure all on it's own.
     
  15. thrawn5499

    thrawn5499 TrainBoard Member

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    Ok thx. The tender was actually easy to open old glue and a little L2N I had on hand, though I really don't think I needed that. Made it pop right open with no damage.

    I was considering re-motoring it but it runs so smooth now I don't know if I want to do it at this time. It has hardly any use on the train it looks and runs like new.
     
  16. thrawn5499

    thrawn5499 TrainBoard Member

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    Does TCS have the articulated steam sounds? I know some put there don't simulate the in and out sink chuff of the big boy.
     
  17. thrawn5499

    thrawn5499 TrainBoard Member

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    I just found this so I guess it would work for the articulated engines

    20 Articulated Chuff Slip Rate 0 240 0-255 0-255 Determines how fast the articulated chuffs will come into sync and out of sync with each other.
     
  18. thrawn5499

    thrawn5499 TrainBoard Member

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    Also I guess I should have asked about speakers too. I have all kinds of room in this tender for speakers, but I think I want to stay under the coal load. So I should be able to fit 2 1 inch speakers easy enough or prob even a little larger. But specs on paper are one thing, user experience is another. Also if I went with the TCS it likes an 8 ohm load. I am having a little issue though finding a good bass speaker in the 1" range that is 4 ohms. Thx again for the help
     
  19. thrawn5499

    thrawn5499 TrainBoard Member

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    I just ordered a pair of these Dayton Audio CE32A-4 1-1/4" Mini Speaker 4 Ohm. I will see how we'll they work. Once I decide on a decoder that is...
     
  20. thrawn5499

    thrawn5499 TrainBoard Member

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    After a lot of good advice, and a lot of reading I went for the tcs wowsound with the keep alive feature. I will be installing it soon thanks again for the help.
     

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