Zimo's new MS sound decoder range

[dpgibbons]

Zimo's new MS sound decoders are now in stock and promise better sound, improved stay-alive capability and some smaller footprints - any comments please?

[woodenhead]

I'm looking at an MS500 - nano sound decoder, a little more expensive than the MX649 but should fit nicely in a Farish 25.

 

I've asked Digitrains about the chip first though.

[Harlequin]

Yes, the sound from the MS decoders is a significant improvement over the MX. A definite step forward.

 

I am installing an MS440 in a steam loco at the moment as a direct comparison with an MX645 in another of the same class with the same sounds.

 

I should be able to post a video soon.

 

Edited March 3, 2022 by Harlequin

[woodenhead]

I'm probably going to order a couple this week too and one will be able to be compared with the loco I fitted with an MX last night.

[Barry O]

Fitted one to a Dapol Sentinel.  Works OK but hard to programme using a Sprog.

 

Baz

[woodenhead]

 

This is an MS500 with MINI BOX 8OHM 12X8X8MM speaker, it also comes with wires ready for a capacitor and mine came with a capacitor in the box but no space to fit it in the loco.

 

The speaker is installed in the cab space - using the older MX649 decoder it would be necessary to remove the top LED from the circuit board to get the body back on snug - but the M500 is about the same size as a small non-sound decoder so it fitted in the space in the board no problem and I was able to retain the lights just losing the basic cab interior.

[dpgibbons]

The smaller size is certainly a blessing, but is the sound noticeably better compared to the previous generation decoders? I imagine it's hard to appreciate the difference with a small speaker.

[woodenhead]

Not sure my hearing is up to telling any difference, I do have another class 25 using the same speaker but with an MX649 so I might see if I can tell them apart but to be honest when I fired it up today I didnt notice any big difference.

 

One thing I did notice was that the inertia seemed greater and I had a long wait to see movement, in the end I turned it down a bit as it seemed too slow to react but I guess it did show the level of control the chip provides.

[Harlequin]

 

MS440 compared with MX645 in similar installations.

 

The MS440 is almost the same size as the MX645 with very similar output specifications.

 

[woodenhead]

Well either chip annoys Mrs Woodenhead equally and awoke her from her slumber on the sofa next to me - "What's that racket she asked".

 

It was the same response with either chip!

 

Does that help with the comparison?

[dpgibbons]

I can't tell much difference, but perhaps the soundset isn't making full use of the new decoder.

[Harlequin]

It’s always been difficult to capture the true sound of a decoder on video - and the sound reproduction of the device you use to watch the video plays a part, of course.

 

All I can tell you is that I can hear a definite improvement in the depth and clarity of the sounds.

 

You’ll have to listen to one for yourself to make your own judgement. Or, just buy one, because the cost is roughly the same.

 

Edited March 6, 2022 by Harlequin