I have to say that the MLS Premium steam sound card offers stunning value, certainly at the price it is available at in the UK, but it does not come any where near the fidelity and flexibility of the old Sierra cards. Especially those that Soundtraxx made that are prototype specific, particularly where geared loco types are concerned. e.g. Shay and Climax. I have 4 locos equipped with old Sierra cards, 3 x K-27 and a Climax. I have retained them in my switch from track to battery power (there are issues with operating them in a PWM environment, but they can be overcome).
I have found that, of necessity (to get the fidelity and functions, I have got 3 of the MLS premium cards), I am moving towards a DCC based sound card solution, while converting from track power to battery power. I have settled on German ESU made cards. Their sound project library matches well to the make up of my "fleet" (mostly US 3ft gauge Fn3 scale Accucraft and Bachmann products, Heisler, Mallet, Shay, etc') and they have good availability over here in the UK. Now that I am working with a local installer I'm staring to get my head around DCC, abeight in a battery powered environment, not track power as you are doing,
I know it is not what you are doing, and you are in the US, but casting the net wider for a solution might be something you need to consider. I had to due to the lack of availability of old Sierra and other suitable "DC" compatible makes here to get the results I wanted. I'm sure Greg has some ideas there
Max
