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Post by Christian on Feb 24, 2016 15:55:41 GMT -8
So Digitrax is out of the sound business too? I never really followed them or heard much other than some people using them. Hummm. You know something that Digitrax doesn't know. They have a very full listing of sound decoders available on their web site. No, I don't have any nor know anyone who will admit to having one. Oops! No one told MRC either! And, yes, WOW is also out there. A lot of brands. Of course, the Big T is the Kadee coupler of the DCC sound world. |
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Post by Tom on Feb 24, 2016 18:56:13 GMT -8
Hummm. You know something that Digitrax doesn't know. They have a very full listing of sound decoders available on their web site. No, I don't have any nor know anyone who will admit to having one. Oops! No one told MRC either! And, yes, WOW is also out there. A lot of brands. Of course, the Big T is the Kadee coupler of the DCC sound world. I have one. I've tried them all....it leaves much to be desired. The ability to program it is there, but not much else is. |
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Post by 12bridge on Feb 24, 2016 19:58:36 GMT -8
Soundtraxx seems to have not kept up quick enough. Loksound nailed it with the ability to update the decoders, not buy a new one every time, and the sound quality is outdated, some of the recordings are not very good, and the horns are horrible.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2016 20:56:36 GMT -8
The guy I talked to at the last train show had a few TCS WOWsound decoders with only the 4 diesel sounds and asked TCS about upgrading them and was told NO. So he has a bad taste in his mouth about them. Sad that a company would do that to keep sales down. Soundtraxx wouldn't do it no matter what. The woman that owns/runs Soundtraxx is one minded for herself. She could care less about what you want/need.
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Post by mlehman on Feb 25, 2016 1:31:11 GMT -8
I suppose such crass comments should be excused because it's obvious there's some basic ignorance underlying them instead of just the aimless malice that's the first impression on reading them. The guy I talked to at the last train show had a few TCS WOWsound decoders with only the 4 diesel sounds and asked TCS about upgrading them and was told NO. So he has a bad taste in his mouth about them. Sad that a company would do that to keep sales down. I haven't been following the WOW real close, but IIRC some of the early releases could not be upgraded when improvements were made later. The WOW was/is in high demand, plus dealers knew there was an ongoing process to improve them after the initial release. Why he couldn't sell in timely fashion when everyone was having trouble keeping them in stock seems to be his business, not TCS's. If a hardware change is made, a firmware update can't install that. Soundtraxx wouldn't do it no matter what. The woman that owns/runs Soundtraxx is one minded for herself. She could care less about what you want/need. You apparently don't understand that the firmware in the Tsunami is burned into the chip and is not upgradeable in any case. It's old technology, to be sure, so why expect Soundtraxx to do the impossible? As for the company, thousands of satisfied customers suggest your personal attack is baseless as it is uncalled for. I've needed assistance from Durango a number of times, they've taken care a couple of Blackstone warranty issues for me, and have gone out of the way to get me some special order parts. Yes, they are focused on bringing great products to market. "...one minded for herself. She could care less about what you want/need..."? Not in my experience |
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Post by riogrande on Feb 25, 2016 2:32:35 GMT -8
So Digitrax is out of the sound business too? I never really followed them or heard much other than some people using them. Hummm. You know something that Digitrax doesn't know. They have a very full listing of sound decoders available on their web site. No, I don't have any nor know anyone who will admit to having one. Oops! No one told MRC either! And, yes, WOW is also out there. A lot of brands. Of course, the Big T is the Kadee coupler of the DCC sound world. You quoted the wrong person. It was rockisland that commented about "going the way of MRC and Digitrax". I was only asking if what he claimed was true or not. Apparently not. All I can say is every time I hear a Loksound diesel sound demonstrated, I am very impressed. |
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Post by atsfan on Feb 25, 2016 4:48:55 GMT -8
I suppose such crass comments should be excused because it's obvious there's some basic ignorance underlying them instead of just the aimless malice that's the first impression on reading them. The guy I talked to at the last train show had a few TCS WOWsound decoders with only the 4 diesel sounds and asked TCS about upgrading them and was told NO. So he has a bad taste in his mouth about them. Sad that a company would do that to keep sales down. I haven't been following the WOW real close, but IIRC some of the early releases could not be upgraded when improvements were made later. The WOW was/is in high demand, plus dealers knew there was an ongoing process to improve them after the initial release. Why he couldn't sell in timely fashion when everyone was having trouble keeping them in stock seems to be his business, not TCS's. If a hardware change is made, a firmware update can't install that. Soundtraxx wouldn't do it no matter what. The woman that owns/runs Soundtraxx is one minded for herself. She could care less about what you want/need. You apparently don't understand that the firmware in the Tsunami is burned into the chip and is not upgradeable in any case. It's old technology, to be sure, so why expect Soundtraxx to do the impossible? As for the company, thousands of satisfied customers suggest your personal attack is baseless as it is uncalled for. I've needed assistance from Durango a number of times, they've taken care a couple of Blackstone warranty issues for me, and have gone out of the way to get me some special order parts. Yes, they are focused on bringing great products to market. "...one minded for herself. She could care less about what you want/need..."? Not in my experience He doesn't understand ? You' don't understand. A company defending an outdated product which has been replaced by clearly Better technology doesn't understand ! See Blackberry and all the others. They need our money to stay in business not the other direction. Just because you like the company doesn't mean anyone who doesn't is wrong. You are clearly biased toward them due to them making the narrow gauge steam Stuff you like and their location. Doesn't mean there isn't another opinion. |
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Post by atsfan on Feb 25, 2016 4:53:40 GMT -8
So Digitrax is out of the sound business too? I never really followed them or heard much other than some people using them. Hummm. You know something that Digitrax doesn't know. They have a very full listing of sound decoders available on their web site. No, I don't have any nor know anyone who will admit to having one. Oops! No one told MRC either! And, yes, WOW is also out there. A lot of brands. Of course, the Big T is the Kadee coupler of the DCC sound world. Blackberry and Microsoft still have phones available also. Sony still will sell you a PS Vita. |
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Post by Donnell Wells on Feb 25, 2016 5:24:50 GMT -8
You' don't understand. A company defending an outdated product which has been replaced by clearly Better technology doesn't understand ! See Blackberry and all the others. They need our money to stay in business not the other direction. Just because you like the company doesn't mean anyone who doesn't is wrong. You are clearly biased toward them due to them making the narrow gauge steam Stuff you like and their location. Doesn't mean there isn't another opinion.
It's one thing to like or dislike a company and state so, even if it is for no other reason than not liking the logo. However, it crosses the line when comments are made about someone, calling into question the character of a person that has, over the course of time, proven just the opposite.
Donnell |
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Post by rockisland652 on Feb 25, 2016 7:03:26 GMT -8
ST either gets something new and improved out there or they will go the way of MRC and Digitrax sound, among the other casualties of the Tsunami revolution of 10 years ago. So Digitrax is out of the sound business too? I never really followed them or heard much other than some people using them. What about WOW from TCS, are those still going strong? The TCS WOW is too new to the market to see if it will be a game changer. No manufacturers have switched to it. Ok, Digitrax & MRC are still in the sound decoder business, according to their websites. Are they even a factor in the sound decoder market? Know anyone using their products? Know anyone with a layout entirely equipped by their sound decoders? I know several Tsu fleet guys. The comparison to Kadee is valid. The Tsu had been the Kadee coupler of sound decoders. My Digitrax and MRC sound experiments (decoders) are in my electronic parts bin, while I now have a large fleet all Tsu equipped, save one QSI switcher and two Lok U boats (same FDL sound as the Tsu with nice horns, BTW). Even Mike Confalone said he had a Tsu fleet before he gave up on them and switched to Lok. Remember that Tsu took business away from MRC (Athearn) and offered more sound options as time went on. However, Lok moved first and fastest (21 pin interface anyone?) while Tsu appeared to stand pat while sales continued to be decent. The Econami is a step towards what is next, I suppose. I have not tried one, as I am looking for a full featured decoder. You can fit a lot more onto a GN-size board than you could ten years ago. Whatever they produce, I hope that the horns are more 'alive' than on the Tsu, among other improvements. |
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Post by rockisland652 on Feb 25, 2016 7:06:07 GMT -8
Ok, the fire sale is starting...I received this minutes ago.
I have no economic interest in this company. This is just to illustrate that the game is afoot.
tvwminiatures@wi.rr.com [soundtraxx] <soundtraxx@yahoogroups.com>
To soundtraxx@yahoogroups.com
Today at 8:53 AM
F.S. Sound Traxx Decoders
Liquidating Stock on hand of SoundTraxx Tsunami Decoders
Available are TSU 1000 , TSU AT1000, TSU GN 1000, TSU Micro, types
plus Sound Car & Mobil Decoders.
Interested ? Please send email for prices & availability of desired type.
Large quantity available ask for specific type if interested
Email = ganefste@wi.rr.com
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Post by riogrande on Feb 25, 2016 7:18:59 GMT -8
Yes, it is my understanding that TCS WOW diesels sounds are still making their way to the market. I haven't heard a lot of buzz regarding them however. Digitrax and MRC I have heard are around but I haven't heard them discussed much. I have several QSI that came with P2K and Atlas loco's but am not impressed by them. Supposedly their newer generation are greatly improved but if I go out and buy a sound decoder and install one myself, I've going to go with what I've been impressed with the most, so far that's Loksound hands down.
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Post by notabob on Feb 25, 2016 7:34:53 GMT -8
I suppose such crass comments should be excused because it's obvious there's some basic ignorance underlying them instead of just the aimless malice that's the first impression on reading them. I haven't been following the WOW real close, but IIRC some of the early releases could not be upgraded when improvements were made later. The WOW was/is in high demand, plus dealers knew there was an ongoing process to improve them after the initial release. Why he couldn't sell in timely fashion when everyone was having trouble keeping them in stock seems to be his business, not TCS's. If a hardware change is made, a firmware update can't install that. You apparently don't understand that the firmware in the Tsunami is burned into the chip and is not upgradeable in any case. It's old technology, to be sure, so why expect Soundtraxx to do the impossible? As for the company, thousands of satisfied customers suggest your personal attack is baseless as it is uncalled for. I've needed assistance from Durango a number of times, they've taken care a couple of Blackstone warranty issues for me, and have gone out of the way to get me some special order parts. Yes, they are focused on bringing great products to market. "...one minded for herself. She could care less about what you want/need..."? Not in my experience He doesn't understand ? You' don't understand. A company defending an outdated product which has been replaced by clearly Better technology doesn't understand ! See Blackberry and all the others. They need our money to stay in business not the other direction. Just because you like the company doesn't mean anyone who doesn't is wrong. You are clearly biased toward them due to them making the narrow gauge steam Stuff you like and their location. Doesn't mean there isn't another opinion. Mlehman's comment was accurate and on point. How would you describe making demands of a manufacturer to do things that are not physically possible and then getting p'd off and calling them "one minded for herself" (self-centered?) when they say, "sorry, that's not possible"? Wait, you already described it as them defending an outdated technology and not understanding its customers. I suppose you'd also say the same about, say, a car manufacturer when someone brings their 5 year old clunker in and asks them to upgrade it with a brand new motor from their newest, just released model. Clearly that's self-centered and smacks of lack of understanding of their customer base. I've used Tsunamis extensively (only fairly recently switched to LokSound), but thanks to their rock-solid quality, my dealings with SoundTraxx as a company directly have been limited. In those limited dealings they nevertheless have proved themselves to be an honest, trustworthy, and customer-oriented company, unlike several others I could name. They made a product that was in a class of its own for a long time and thankfully allowed them to make some money in the process that they're now investing in a next generation product. Are they a little late to the next-generation sound decoder party? For sure. ESU has certainly made enough progress in this space that SoundTraxx will have a hard time winning back the market share they lost. But at the same time, being late to the party is not always a bad thing. It can allow a vendor to utilize both the latest advances in technology as well as cost reduction. So we'll see what the next-gen Tsunami is like when they announce it in the coming weeks. |
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Post by atsfan on Feb 25, 2016 8:03:34 GMT -8
He doesn't understand ? You' don't understand. A company defending an outdated product which has been replaced by clearly Better technology doesn't understand ! See Blackberry and all the others. They need our money to stay in business not the other direction. Just because you like the company doesn't mean anyone who doesn't is wrong. You are clearly biased toward them due to them making the narrow gauge steam Stuff you like and their location. Doesn't mean there isn't another opinion. Mlehman's comment was accurate and on point. How would you describe making demands of a manufacturer to do things that are not physically possible and then getting p'd off and calling them "one minded for herself" (self-centered?) when they say, "sorry, that's not possible"? Wait, you already described it as them defending an outdated technology and not understanding its customers. I suppose you'd also say the same about, say, a car manufacturer when someone brings their 5 year old clunker in and asks them to upgrade it with a brand new motor from their newest, just released model. Clearly that's self-centered and smacks of lack of understanding of their customer base. I've used Tsunamis extensively (only fairly recently switched to LokSound), but thanks to their rock-solid quality, my dealings with SoundTraxx as a company directly have been limited. In those limited dealings they nevertheless have proved themselves to be an honest, trustworthy, and customer-oriented company, unlike several others I could name. They made a product that was in a class of its own for a long time and thankfully allowed them to make some money in the process that they're now investing in a next generation product. Are they a little late to the next-generation sound decoder party? For sure. ESU has certainly made enough progress in this space that SoundTraxx will have a hard time winning back the market share they lost. But at the same time, being late to the party is not always a bad thing. It can allow a vendor to utilize both the latest advances in technology as well as cost reduction. So we'll see what the next-gen Tsunami is like when they announce it in the coming weeks. The point is their product is going away isn't' it? Isn't that the point of this thread? So if that is the point of this thread, then you can defend and praise them all you want to, but, they are going away. Just like Blackberry etc. This all reminds me of the post iPad and iPhone launches Tsunami (pun intended). RIM came out with a competing tablet. At first glance it looked OK. Then you found out it only worked if tethered to a Blackberry !? People were floored when they learned it would not use the clearly better and new capibility. Just like now, people defending RIM said how great they were, etc, and RIM would say at trade shows the NO also when asked if they were going to upgrade things. RIM was rock solid. Honest, trustworthy, whatever else. Didn't matter. Where is RIM now. Who is buying (not still using, buying) a Blackberry in 2016. You yourself said you just "switched to LokSound". So the Tsunami (pun intended) away from the products is happening. A better response to the question instead of NO would be explaining their future product plans, do they intend to compete with downloadable files. Etc. I have no dealings with Soundtraxx and for all I know the people running it are Saints. I didn't say otherwise, somebody ELSE made comments, not me. The original Tsunami was advertised for a long time before it actually showed up. WIll be interesting to see how the second edition comes out. Meanwhile their are other options, and people will use them. |
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Post by rockisland652 on Feb 25, 2016 9:15:19 GMT -8
Yep. The Tsu product line is going away. Soundtraxx itself isn't. Not yet anyway. My dealings with their people have been quite good, but that's not what this thread is about. This unit is awaiting the next product:  |
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Tom
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Post by Tom on Feb 25, 2016 9:17:58 GMT -8
Some of us brought this to the attention of ST years ago. Their response and reaction left a bad taste.
"Why would you ever want to change sounds in a decoder? You're not going to move it from one loco to the next."
The rationale was that some of us want the change the horn or the bell or anything else: no. That was the answer. In the response, we were even asked who would be able to tell the difference between a 16 and 12 cylinder 645E. Some of us asked to take that challenge. Again, we were told: no.
A big point, often overlooked I think, here is the manufacturer side of this. If a large manufacturer (large in our industry here) wants a decoder with the recording of a specific loco, with features, sound sets, CVs, etc., they have to take weeks and or months going back and forth creating new ROMS, assembling new boards, testing.. With an ESU decoder, you need one type. You purchase one part and can program it with very less effort, time, and expense. On the retail side, the same issue applies. You need to stock dozens of decoders for different sound sets, instead of maybe two types. The shop can download and install the sounds with a programmer (it retails for about $150) or the consumer can do it. When ST was new, the older model made more sense. As of now, it doesn't.
This is an already small market and if not listening to your client base (when they're not really all that off-base), and your competition has years on you and you chose to remain stagnant... Well, you lose.
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Post by riogrande on Feb 25, 2016 9:33:57 GMT -8
Agree. No is the wrong answer - and leaves an opening for the competition to say yes and take market share.
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Post by craigz on Feb 25, 2016 12:13:42 GMT -8
Some of us brought this to the attention of ST years ago. Their response and reaction left a bad taste. "Why would you ever want to change sounds in a decoder? You're not going to move it from one loco to the next." The rationale was that some of us want the change the horn or the bell or anything else: no. That was the answer. In the response, we were even asked who would be able to tell the difference between a 16 and 12 cylinder 645E. Some of us asked to take that challenge. Again, we were told: no. A big point, often overlooked I think, here is the manufacturer side of this. If a large manufacturer (large in our industry here) wants a decoder with the recording of a specific loco, with features, sound sets, CVs, etc., they have to take weeks and or months going back and forth creating new ROMS, assembling new boards, testing.. With an ESU decoder, you need one type. You purchase one part and can program it with very less effort, time, and expense. On the retail side, the same issue applies. You need to stock dozens of decoders for different sound sets, instead of maybe two types. The shop can download and install the sounds with a programmer (it retails for about $150) or the consumer can do it. When ST was new, the older model made more sense. As of now, it doesn't. This is an already small market and if not listening to your client base (when they're not really all that off-base), and your competition has years on you and you chose to remain stagnant... Well, you lose. Precisely. With the Soundtraxx model one could not have had the Rapido FL9 with its very specific sound set. I own a Lokprogrammer and have had it for years, back to the Loksound 3.5 days. It still works perfectly with the new Lokprogrammer software. When I built out my first NYO&W NW2, the Loksound 12-567 sound wasn't that good; the 16 cylinder was (and is) great. So into the switcher went the 16 cylinder knowing that when the 12 came out I could change it. And I did. Didn't even have to remove the couplers or the shell. When Loksound added the cast P5 horn to their files, I was able to change the sound file in a couple of Southern SD40-2 models a friend owns...without removing the shell. It's a super system, super support, great sounds. And I never had to tune a Loksound to eliminate the jackrabbit start like I did with every single Tsunami decoder that I owned. The couple of times I have had to tune a Loksound was to address motor hum from BEMF...and there's an autotune feature on the decoder that's worked every time for me. Set CV54=1, press F1. Done. |
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Post by atsfan on Feb 25, 2016 12:30:52 GMT -8
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Post by atsfan on Feb 25, 2016 12:49:31 GMT -8
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Post by mlehman on Feb 25, 2016 12:50:57 GMT -8
I understand the comments from the modern diesel crowd that tends to be the dominant interest in this forum that Soundtraxx has had less and less to offer them as other vendors step up to compete in what has become a crowded field of sound decoder technology. But let's consider that Soundtraxx is doing well and investing heavily in bringing a new generation of decoders to market. Why? Because they want you business, too.
Consider how much the market has changed since the Tsunami was introduced. All this modern diesel stuff? It was around, but far less dominant. A few diesel decoders covered a large proportion of the market fairly well. Soundtraxx focused on steam and I can tell you the complaints there are few and far between. Yes, there are minor issues. Yes, since the WOW came out, there is now a worthy competitor on that side of the market, too.
Why is it taking Soundtraxx so long? One is that they tend to like to get things right. Compare their manual to a QSI and that's just for starts. But I suspect the biggest reason is that they changed course from unchangeable firmware to some version of the downloadable content/software that has become a prevalent force in the market. Now, I could be wrong and I certainly have no secret party line to Durango, but I'm pretty certain you'll have some sort of options here -- or so many options preloaded that no one will miss pumping in their own. You are, of course, free to buy or not, depending on your whim, when that happens.
I find the reaction that Soundtraxx "stole your DCC/sound cheese" to be just downright silly. The SPs (Soundtraxx Police) are not roaming our 'hoods to lock up those who dare switch to something else or to publicly flog you for your daring to buy elsewhere. So I think the caning of Soundtraxx for not having stuff you want to buy is uncalled for.
And consider that Soundtraxx still sells lots of decoders...LOTS of decoders...and has plenty of very happy customers. I realize the folks that want to change their horns to suit the day of the week are a little frustrated. But there are lots of people who Soundtraxx does everything asked of it. The narcissistic "what have they done for me lately?" thing is nothing except pure self-centered entitlement. If they had something you really wanted, you could've bought it by now. If they didn't there's plenty of other stuff to spend it on. Nothing complicated about that -- or any need to be so bitter and hostile.
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Post by sd80mac on Feb 25, 2016 13:16:37 GMT -8
I was always a big Tsunami fan. Most of their prime mover recordings were and still are pretty good, but their horns pretty much all sucked. The Econami boards sound exactly the same as a Tsunami to my ears.
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Post by rockisland652 on Feb 25, 2016 13:33:04 GMT -8
I was always a big Tsunami fan. Most of their prime mover recordings were and still are pretty good, but their horns pretty much all sucked. The Econami boards sound exactly the same as a Tsunami to my ears. ...and this is my fear about the successor. I hope this is not the case. |
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Post by canrailfan on Feb 25, 2016 13:55:29 GMT -8
In the electronic components business, end-of-life notices for a component happen all the time. EOL notices can be issued for components that are still in plentiful supply. Users of an EOL component have several choices in dealing with an EOL notice: find a substitute and modify the product accordingly, buy up the remaining quantity of the component and keep the product in production while designing a new product or simply withdraw the product from the market once the in-house supply of the EOL component has run out.
Soundtraxx made no reference that I've heard to when they expect to stop producing the Tsunami. It's still a good product with a lot of satisfied users. It's still an OEM decoder for several model manufacturers.
I'm sure we'll hear from Soundtraxx when they have an announcement to make, either about the Tsunami being retired or about its successor.
David
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Post by atsfan on Feb 25, 2016 14:18:31 GMT -8
In the electronic components business, end-of-life notices for a component happen all the time. EOL notices can be issued for components that are still in plentiful supply. Users of an EOL component have several choices in dealing with an EOL notice: find a substitute and modify the product accordingly, buy up the remaining quantity of the component and keep the product in production while designing a new product or simply withdraw the product from the market once the in-house supply of the EOL component has run out. Soundtraxx made no reference that I've heard to when they expect to stop producing the Tsunami. It's still a good product with a lot of satisfied users. It's still an OEM decoder for several model manufacturers. I'm sure we'll hear from Soundtraxx when they have an announcement to make, either about the Tsunami being retired or about its successor. David Some companies like Apple can get away with silence. At this point it would make good business sense though for Soundtrax now to publish something to state what their plans are one way or the other. What is the harm. If the rumor is false, kill it. If they are doing something else at lease say what the big plan is. |
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Post by notabob on Feb 25, 2016 14:29:05 GMT -8
The point is their product is going away isn't' it? Isn't that the point of this thread? So if that is the point of this thread, then you can defend and praise them all you want to, but, they are going away. Just like Blackberry etc. This all reminds me of the post iPad and iPhone launches Tsunami (pun intended). RIM came out with a competing tablet. At first glance it looked OK. Then you found out it only worked if tethered to a Blackberry !? People were floored when they learned it would not use the clearly better and new capibility. Just like now, people defending RIM said how great they were, etc, and RIM would say at trade shows the NO also when asked if they were going to upgrade things. RIM was rock solid. Honest, trustworthy, whatever else. Didn't matter. Where is RIM now. Who is buying (not still using, buying) a Blackberry in 2016. You yourself said you just "switched to LokSound". So the Tsunami (pun intended) away from the products is happening. A better response to the question instead of NO would be explaining their future product plans, do they intend to compete with downloadable files. Etc. I have no dealings with Soundtraxx and for all I know the people running it are Saints. I didn't say otherwise, somebody ELSE made comments, not me. The original Tsunami was advertised for a long time before it actually showed up. WIll be interesting to see how the second edition comes out. Meanwhile their are other options, and people will use them. You still don't get it, atsfan. SoundTraxx is not going anywhere. They're discontinuing an old model of their product and announcing a next generation one. No one is going away just yet. They lost market share to ESU by being caught unawares when ESU made a rather sudden push into the N.American market, for sure. But even with that lost market share, between Athearn (Genesis & RTR), Bachmann, Walthers, and retail sales (where they still have better brand recognition than ESU) - I wouldn't be surprised if SoundTraxx was still shipping more of their outdated old-tech decoders in the N.American market than ESU does LokSounds via Atlas, Bowser, IMRC, Rapido, and retail combined. And as far as not announcing impending migration to next generation decoders to every Tom, Dick, and Harry who complains about them not replacing his older decoder with a new one - no business with an ounce of common sense would or should ever do that. If the information about the next gen product got out before the replacement was ready (or close enough to being ready) - SoundTraxx would stand to loose significant amounts of money and be saddled with large quantities of now unsalable product as most potential buyers would sit tight and wait for next gen decoder instead of making a purchase. In this niche market that we all play in - cash flow can make or break a business. Shooting yourself in the foot by jeopardizing your own like I described above would be foolish. I'm glad SoundTraxx has enough business sense to make sure they can stay in the game long term, and doesn't take their business advice from this forum. We all benefit from increased competition as a result. I may have switched to LokSound today because they offer a better option right now in terms of sound quality as well as motor control. But if SoundTraxx announces a truly innovative product tomorrow that competes well with LokSound and offers comparable or better quality and performance - I will have no issues with going back to them. That's the beauty of competition and having multiple players in the space that not only offer solid products, but are also financially healthy. |
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Post by rockisland652 on Feb 25, 2016 15:28:35 GMT -8
The Soundtraxx ad on page 13 of the April MR is unusual in that no mention of the word Tsunami or Econami is made in the text. Tsunami and Econami are seen in the graphics only.
What is repeated over and over is the phrase: 'game changers'.
I have popcorn and an ice cold drink here and I plan to watch how this movie plays out.
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Post by tdspeedracer on Feb 25, 2016 15:57:52 GMT -8
"Rolling Thunder" will dethrone them all!! OK, maybe not.
Soundtraxx was at a disadvantage the minute esu showed up on the market. Soundtraxx's saving grace was that while esu's operating characteristics were top notch, their sounds were questionable. By being able to load customer selected sound files, a dealer can carry the whole line in a handful of decoders. What i'm guessing would cost 1-2 thousand dollars at dealer cost from soundtraxx could be done for probably 1/4 of that with the loksound line.
Years later we're still looking at the same tsunami, and esu has upgraded their decoder and sound files.
Honestly, I'm surprised market share hasn't forced a change sooner.
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Post by biggazza on Feb 25, 2016 16:33:15 GMT -8
All very interesting to get other’s views and opinions on this subject, albeit some based upon assumptions.
Let me state that I no affiliation with in company producing decoders. I am in Australia.
I have a fleet of 50 + locomotives, most with sound decoders, a few with motor control only decoders for consisting purposes.
All bar 2 locos have Soundtraxx products installed. The odd 2 out have ESU sound installed. The reason I have only 2 is that I don’t want any more !
I find that programming ESU to how I want them to operate is tiresome to say the least.
Tsunamis and Econamis are very easy to program and I can get them to operate slow and smooth, except for 3 locos with ‘those’ rubbish’ motors in them.
The comments about Econamis I find strange as to my ears, the motors sounds and especially the horns are noticeably better then Tsunamis. The motor control is also very much improved. The ability to adjust CVs with much more flexibility is also a bonus – I use DecoderPro.
As I have the volume of my locos less than a third of maximum, maybe I cannot hear any problems.
For those wishing to play with sound files, tweak and adjust them, well that would be possibly be another hobby in itself – I have a mate that doesn’t do much on his layout anymore, just plays with his ESU programmer. I would rather spend my time operating (and still building) my layout.
If Soundtraxx were to only have the Econami range (in the various formats) as their only range of products, I think I would be happy with that.
Regards, Gary.
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Post by santafe49 on Feb 25, 2016 16:44:32 GMT -8
I have 10 engines with sound. 8 are Digitrax, 1 is an Atlas/QSI factory install, and 1 Soundtraxx DSD steam i installed. They all sound good to me and i am satisfied. Now that i have retired i don't see myself spending $100 per engine just because someone thinks they don't sound exactly right.
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