DCC sound is great – but the audio quality is limited by the size of the speakers. Audio is pretty darned analogue: In general, the larger the speaker surface, the better the sound. Here’s proof:
To make this video, I loaded an ESU sound package (for an EMD switcher – like one of these) onto one of the company’s Loksound V5 XL decoders. These decoders features two onboard 6W amplifiers. I connected one 20W bookshelf speaker to each amp (the output is still mono). I drove the Loksound decoder using my LokProgrammer, driving an ESU decoder testing board, which includes an onboard motor to provide a suitable load to the decoder.
The audio is pretty impressive – even captured via the small microphone on my smart phone. For best results, don’t watch this video on your phone: Use the best set of speakers you have available.
You’ll be surprised at the audio that’s lurking in your decoders. That sounds far, far better than what comes out of a sugar cube speaker, doesn’t it?
The Model Railway Show 