Sound into KATO SD40-2

Tomytuna

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Jan 16, 2007
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Hi all!bought 2 KATO SD40-2's and have them up and running with DCC decoder...thay swre SWEEET...i want to install decoder with sound and need any and all info and experience with this project..thanks Tom
 

UP SD40-2

Senior Member
Apr 29, 2006
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Hi all!bought 2 KATO SD40-2's and have them up and running with DCC decoder...thay swre SWEEET...i want to install decoder with sound and need any and all info and experience with this project..thanks Tom
Tom, I too have a Kato SD40-2, honestly, its one of my favorite and best running engines:thumb: . i have Loksound in it, VERY EASY to install:thumb: , if your model insides are the same as mine is, it will take you longer to take the shell off then to install the sound decoder:winki: . i was able to simply push the 8 pin sound decoder plug into the Kato's circuit board:thumb: , i did however have to take the cab interior out to make room for the speaker, not a big deal though:winki::smilie: .

:deano: -Deano
 

Tomytuna

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Jan 16, 2007
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Hi Deano..thanks for your reply..my issue is the brand new 2008 version of KATO's SD40-2 and they have a speaker baffle already in the fuel tank area...how does the loksound SOUND? and you a right in time to remove shell..lol...Tom
 

UP SD40-2

Senior Member
Apr 29, 2006
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Tom, you have one of the newer ones eh?, FANTASTIC!!!:thumb: , my Kato SD38-2 is made just as you described your SD40-2, you are really in for a treat, installing a sound decoder in those is a snap:winki::mrgreen: , VERY EASY...easier then taking the shell off will be:winki::119: .

i have 3 Kato engines, and have Loksound in all three:thumb: . i really like every aspect of Loksound EXCEPT the horn on them:frowns: . the horn on Loksound sound decoders is really low sounding, not loud at all:frowns: , funny thing is, EVERY other sound on them is just fine:thumb: . (yes, of coarse i have adjusted the CV's to max out the horn volume:winki: , it just don't help:frowns: )

DON'T GET ME WRONG, i AM NOT recommending that you get Loksound for your engine, cripes, i give up on recommending anything anymore because i have found what might work great for me, might be a nightmare for the next guy:eeki::119: . take MRC's top two lines of sound decoders for example, i have had GREAT luck with them, i really like them and haven't really had any problems with them:thumb: , HOWEVER, quite a few other people hate them:eeki: . i recommended getting an MRC Brilliance sound decoder to a very good friend of mine, and he has had nothing but nightmares with it:eek:ops: , yet i have at least 25 of them installed in my engines and cant speak highly enough of them:thumb::mrgreen: .

PERSONALLY, i ONLY buy Loksound and MRC's top two lines of sound decoders:winki: , but i herd Digitrax now has sound decoders too, though i haven't tried them:eek:ops: . Tom, if your looking for a sound decoder recommendation, lets hope others chime in with what they think is the best:winki: , i would hate for you to go by what i think, and it not end up working good for you:eek:ops: .

:deano: -Deano
 

Tomytuna

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Jan 16, 2007
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Well I went to digitrax / soundtrax website and i see their new decoders and they have one for SD40-2's but i don't think it's available yet...anyone have experience with the digitrax/sountrax stuff?...thanks Tom