Is there any way to get more volume and richness out of the dcs 2 chuff like lionels does? Also the volume is not near what it used to be on the early dcs with the 9 volt battery.
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Our personal experience is that our locomotives/engines varied from model to model. Some were quite loud and throaty (Southern PS3) while others were low pitched and 'weak' (Santa Fe Northern). From what I've read here the early PS 3.0 diesels tended to have low overall volume.
We have a relatively recent (2014) RK SD70ACe that has a nice full sound (It's offered for sale on the FS board)
You could try putting in a better after market speaker assuming you can fit it in. If the speaker is more efficient it may boost volume. If it has better frequency response it may replicate more sounds,assuming it is there in the first place.
You could also maybe improve baffling,space allowing.
Here is a post on speaker replacement
Dale H
My experience has been that the single biggest improvement in sound volume and quality is usually better baffling. A good baffle will improve both the volume and the bass response, that's where I'd start.
Everyone makes good points. Sound files vary. I have tried other sound files and got an increase in chuff sounds. Baffles and replacement speakers are a great idea if, big IF, you have the room.
Pete
John do you mean covering the back of the speaker or something else. Does the size of the baffle make a difference?
The key is sealing one side of the speaker. The size is somewhat significant, but having one side sealed is more important than the actual size. There is an "optimum" size for a speaker baffle, but the computations to figure out what that size is are rather complex. I just use what will fit and seal it around the speaker. At times, I seal it around the front if that's easier, but usually around the back. I've used spray can lids hot glued to the back frequently, they work pretty well.
Here's a page on Speaker Enclosure Volume Calculation, it's only posted to show you how involved you can get in the process. 
I do NOT recommend you go down this rathole unless you really want to. In reality, the physical limitations of the size of the tender or locomotive usually dictates how large the baffle can be.
John is right, finding the ideal enclosure is not worth the trouble but if you want to use it as a learning experience start by googling "Theile-Small Parameters". They are the parameters you would plug in on the web page that John linked to. The better loudspeaker driver retailers will include these numbers for the speakers they sell. With an unknown driver(s) that the train manufacturers use you can determine these parameters but you would need some sophisticated equipment to do it, at the very least a frequency generator and multimeter but an oscilloscope is preferred.
One suggestion for sealing drivers and enclosure is to use Mortite string caulk. It seals well and always remains flexible. If the driver needs to replaced you won't have to chisel anything apart.
Pete
Many times I use Hot Glue, that seems to come off pretty easily for me if I need to remove it.
I know of no person who runs DCS with 2 chuffs. I love Legacy steam. Not a big TMCC two chuff fan.
You haven't heard legacy sound \. It is all 4 chuff per rev and great volume and fidelity especially on big steam chuff. Dcs needs to catch up of be run over.
I know a little bit about Legacy sound.
Originally Posted by Marty Fitzhenry:
I know of no person who runs DCS with 2 chuffs. I love Legacy steam. Not a big TMCC two chuff fan.
I can fix that for you Marty, but I'm sure you can too. 
I just finished one of my locomotives (for a change) with 4-chuffs, cruise, and the Super-Chuffer. I never really understood why Lionel didn't do 4 chuffs with their cam.
I saw a post here of someone explaining how bad it might sound with 4 chuffs at higher track speed. He felt 2 was better for toy models. Maybe that's what Lionel thought?
HW explained how the real engines sounded at higher speeds anyways.
I'd like to hear more of that metal type alternating sound coming from the steam cylinders? in the sound sets. As a former audio engineer, I'm more of a fan of dynamics in sounds rather than strictly volume. Lionel has big sound, but not better, to me. MTH sounds more accurate. I wonder if some guys can hear that difference?
When I did sound, the audience paid attention. I didn't blast them out of the room. I made it sound like it was intended. That allows the performers to draw the audience into a live experience.
I always liked later QSI's board's sounds with more dynamics for that reason. I'm not going back to DCC to get it. I'll play with the MTH PS sound packages to get what I want. I'm always hoping they adjust the labored sound activation plateau. It needs to be more than an on/ off switch. The board should automatically read the motor's load.
John, I agree about the cam. It would have been a very easy do. I am just hooked on Legacy with the new RCMC and RS Lite board system.
I like the new Legacy package, too bad we can't buy them for upgrades.
Joe, if Lionel felt that way, they changed their mind. Most of the Legacy stuff comes with prototypical 4-chuff per rev.
Originally Posted by Engineer-Joe:
I saw a post here of someone explaining how bad it might sound with 4 chuffs at higher track speed. He felt 2 was better for toy models. Maybe that's what Lionel thought?
HW explained how the real engines sounded at higher speeds anyway.
Joe, one reason why some think two chuffs sound better is because Lionel does not change the "on" time of the chuff signal. The chuffs tend to blend into each other at a lower speed than is prototypical. One of the cool features of GRJ super chuffer is this on time gets shorter as the speed increases. This is prototypical because the valves are open for a shorter time. You will still hear distinct chuffs at higher speed even when set to 4 chuffs.
Who knows, maybe John can get Lionel to license his technique?
Pete
