MS sound decoders for small scales (N to H0)

REAL 16 bits audio - 22 or 44 kHz sample rate - 16 channels - 12 Mbit memory - Multiprotocol: DCC, mfx*, MM

DCC-logofits mfx-logo

The first sound decoders of the "MS" generation were introduced in 2019, as successors to the long-standing MX decoders. The core of the MS sound decoders is formed by a "state-of-the-art" 32 bit ARM microcontroller with DSP characteristics and generously dimensioned memories. This enables sound reproduction in the highest quality (see subtitle above) and full mfx capability (including registration with Märklin digital command stations); in addition, there are large reserves for future further developments (in mid-2021 almost half the program memory is still free.

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That's only with ZIMO:

Anyone who buys a ZIMO decoder today is also acquiring the conversion to a decoder of a much later year. This is done by constantly offering software updates over a long period of time and applies to all ZIMO decoders, regardless of whether they are actually purchased as such or delivered with a vehicle as an OEM product.

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GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

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Short characteristic of the DECODER FAMILIES:

Click on this symbol to expand the respective table row: the meaning of the data in the table and the properties of the individual decoders are explained by background information and application notes.

If you move the mouse over the pictures of the respective decoder, an info area with further pictures appears for selection.
You can also drag the open field and thus keep it open to compare different decoders.

Pictures & Download: In the abovementioned info area there is also a button to display a full-screen gallery with high-resolution images.
In the upper right corner there is a button that you can use to download the images.

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MS SOUND DECODERS

for

small scales (N to 0)

 ZIMO MS450P22 ZIMO MS450P16   ZIMO MS440C,D ZIMO MS480P16 ZIMO MS491N ZIMO MS500 ZIMO MS560 ZIMO MS581N18 ZIMO MS591N18 ZIMO MS540E24 ZIMO MS540P12

Standard H0

Miniature (N, TT, H0e, small H0,...

KATO-interface

Next-interface

E24-interface

E24 + PluX12

DECODER FAMILIES
Types (by connection type)

MS450

MS450R

MS450P22

MS450P16

MS440C

MTC acc. to VHDM std.

MS440D

MTC variant ZIMO

MS480

MS480R, MS480F

MS480P16

MS491

MS491R, MS491F

MS491N, L

MS500

MS500R, MS500F

MS500N

MS560

MS581N18

MS581N18G

MS591N18

MS540E24

MS540P12
     

* decoder families MS491, MS500 and MS560 are NOT mfx capable.

G-variant with
2 ext. Goldcaps

* NOT mfx capable
Expand Dimensions (mm) 30 x 15 x 4 30 x 15 x 4 30 x 15 x 4 30 x 15 x 4 30 x 15 x 4 19 x 11 x 3.1 19 x 11 x 3.1 19 x 7.8 x 2.8 19 x 7.8 x 2.8 14 x 10 x 2.6 14 x 10 x 2.6 27 x 14 x 2.6 24.9 x 10 x 4 15 x 9.3 x 3.1 19 x 8.7 x 2.8 19 x 8.7 x 3.3
Expand ConnectionsWires and/or standardized interfaces 13 wires
NEM-652, NEM-651		 PluX-22 PluX-16 21MTCFO3, FO4, FO5, FO6
logic level (std.)		 21MTCFO3, FO4, FO5, FO6
"amplified" outputs		 13 wires
NEM-652, NEM-651		 PluX-16 12 wires
NEM-652, NEM-651		 NEM-651directly 12 wires
NEM-652, NEM-651		 NEM-651directly KATO(like EM13) Next18 Next18 E24 PluX12
auf Adapter
Expand Total current (continuous):
motor+sound+FOs(peak)		 1.2 A(2.5 A) 1.2 A(2.5 A) 1.2 A(2.5 A) 1.2 A(2.5 A) 1.2 A(2.5 A) 0.8 A(1.5 A) 0.8 A(1.5 A) 0.7 A(1.5 A) 0.7 A(1.5 A) 0.7 A(1.5 A) 0.7 A(1.5 A) 0.7 A(1.5 A) 0,8 A(1,5 A) 0,7 A(1,5 A) 0,8 A(1,5 A) 0,8 A(1,5 A)
Expand Motor current (continuous)(peak) 1.2 A(2.5 A) 1.2 A(2.5 A) 1.2 A(2.5 A) 1.2 A(2.5 A) 1.2 A(2.5 A) 0.8 A(1.5 A) 0.8 A(1.5 A) 0.7 A(1.5 A) 0.7 A(1.5 A) 0.7 A(1.5 A) 0.7 A(1.5 A) 0.7 A(1.5 A) 0,8 A(1,5 A) 0,7 A(1,5 A) 0,8 A(1,5 A) 0,8 A(1,5 A)
Expand Current on Function OutputsTotal of the FOs 0.8 A 0.8 A 0.8 A 0.8 A 0.8 A 0.6 A 0.6 A 0.5 A 0.5 A 0.5 A 0.5 A 0.5 A 0,6 A 0,5 A 0,5 A 0,5 A
Expand number and type
Function Outputs
incl. 2 x headlights(+ logic level outputs)
104 with wires
6 on s.pads
(+2 logic level) (+1 alt. use of IN1)
104 on plug
6 on s.pads
(+2 logic level) (+1 alt. use of IN1)
109 on plug
1 on s.pads
(+2 logic level) (+1 alt. use of IN1)
4all 4 on plug
(+6 logic level)
8all 8 on plug
 
(+2 logic level)
64 with wires
2 on s.pads
(+2 logic level)
64 on plug
2 on s.pads
(+2 logic level)
5 4 with wires
1 on s.pads
(+2 logic level)
52 on plug
3 on s.pads
(+2 logic level)
4all 4 with wires
 
(+2 logic level)
42 on plug
2 on s.pads
(+2 logic level)
2all 2 on s.pads
 
(+2 logic level)
64 on plug
2 on s.pads
(+3 logic level)
64 on plug
2 on s. pads
(+2 logic level)
8all 8 on plug
2 also on pads
(+4 logic level) (+1 alt. use of IN1)
84 on plug
4 on solder pads
(+2 logic level)
Expand Servo control wires
(complete witch 5 V supply)
2alternate use
of logic level
(NO, external 5 V)
2alternate use
of logic level
(NO, external 5 V)
2alternate use
of logic level
(NO, external 5 V)
2alternate use
of logic level
(NO, external 5 V)
2alternate use
of logic level
(NO, external 5 V)
2alternate use
of logic level
(NO, external 5 V)
2alternate use
of logic level
(NO, external 5 V)
2alternate use
of logic level
(NO, external 5 V)
2alternate use
of logic level
(NO, external 5 V)
2alternate use
of logic level
(NO, external 5 V)
2alternate use
of logic level
(NO, external 5 V)
2alternate use
of logic level
(NO, external 5 V)
2alternate use
of logic level
(NO, external 5 V)
2alternate use
of logic level
(NO, external 5 V)
2alternate use
of logic level
(NO, external 5 V)
2alternate use
of logic level
(NO, external 5 V)
Expand SUSI - connection
alternatively SUSI, I²C, sound loading
yesalternate use
of logic level
on s.pads
yesalternate use
of logic level
on PluX
yesalternate use
of logic level
on PluX
yesalternate use
of logic level
on MTC
yesalternate use
of logic level
on MTC
yesalternate use
of logic level
on s.pads
yesalternate use
of logic level
on PluX
yesalternate use
of logic level
on s.pads
yesalternate use
of logic level
on s.pads
yesalternate use
of logic level
on s.pads
yesalternate use
of logic level
on s.pads
yesalternate use
of logic level
on s.pads
yesalternate use
of logic level
on Next18
yesalternate use
of logic level
on Next18
yesalternate use
of logic level
on E24
+ solder pads
yesalternate use
of logic level
on solder pads
Expand Switch Inputs
for cam sensors, Reed switches, i.a.
1on s.pads
+2 alternate use
of logic level
1on PluX
+2 alternate use
of logic level
1on PluX
+2 alternate use
of logic level
2on MTC
+2 alternate use
of logic level
2on MTC
+2 alternate use
of logic level
  
2 alternate use
of logic level
  
2 alternate use
of logic level
  
2 alternate use
of logic level
  
+2 alternate use
of logic level
  
2 alternate use
of logic level
  
2 alternate use
of logic level
  
2 alternate use
of logic level
  
2 alternate use
of logic level
  
2 alternate use
of logic level
1on E24
+2 alternate use
of logic level
  
2 alternate use
of logic level
Expand stabilised Low Voltage
to be taken from		 5 V possible
(see connection plan)		 5 V possible
(see connection plan)		 5 V possible
(see connection plan)
5 V
max 200 mA
on solder pads
5 V
max 200 mA
on solder pads
5 V
max 50 mA
on solder pads
5 V
max 50 mA
on solder pads
5 V
max 50 mA
on solder pads
5 V
max 50 mA
on solder pads
5 V
max 50 mA
on solder pads
5 V
max 50 mA
on solder pads
5 V
max 50 mA
on solder pads
5 V
max 200 mA
on solder pads
no
5 V
max 50 mA
on E24
no
Expand Energy Storage connection
15 V - capacitors DIRECTLY to the decoder
yes
with wires
yes
on PluX
yes
on PluX
yes
on s.pads
yes
on s.pads
yes
on s.pads
max ~1000 µF
yes
on PluX
max ~1000 µF
yes
on s.pads
max ~1000 µF
yes
on s.pads
max ~1000 µF
yes
on s.pads
max ~1000 µF
yes
on s.pads
max ~1000 µF
no
 internal buffer
yes
external: 5 V tantals on s.pads
no
yes
on E24 plug
+ on s.pads
max ~1000 µF
yes
on P12 plug
+ on s.pads
max ~1000 µF
Expand Speaker Outputs
dep. on dec. 8 Ω or 4 Ω
(2 x 8 Ω in parallel)
1
3 Watt / 4 - 8 Ω
on wires
1
3 Watt / 4 - 8 Ω
on PluX
1
3 Watt / 4 - 8 Ω
on PluX
1
3 Watt / 4 - 8 O
on MTC
1
3 Watt / 4 - 8 Ω
on MTC
1
1 Watt / 8 Ω
on wires
1
1 Watt / 8 Ω
on PluX
1
1 Watt / 8 Ω
on wires
1
Watt / 8 Ω
on wires
1
1 Watt / 8 Ω
on wires
1
Watt / 8 Ω
on wires
1
1 Watt / 8 Ω
on wires
1
3 Watt / 4 - 8 Ω
on Next18
1
1 Watt / 8 Ω
on Next18
1
1 Watt / 8 Ω
on E24
1
1 Watt / 8 Ω
on P12
Expand Sound Flash 128 Mbit 128 Mbit 128 Mbit 128 Mbit 128 Mbit 128 Mbit 128 Mbit 128 Mbit 128 Mbit 128 Mbit 128 Mbit 128 Mbit 128 Mbit 128 Mbit 128 Mbit 128 Mbit
Note: The data for decoders under development may still change significantly. All data without guarantee.
DOCS and INFO Connection diagrams can be found in the user manuals
User Manual Manual for all MS sound decoders

The following MS decoder types and families are no longer produced, but are still listed for information purposes:

Expand expand all    |    Expand  collapse all     (useful to print out the complete information)

 

 

NO LONGER PRODUCED
MS SOUND DECODERS

 ZIMO MS490N ZIMO MS580N18 ZIMO MS590N18

Miniature (N, TT, H0e, small H0,...

Next-interface

DECODER FAMILIES
Types (by connection type)

MS490

MS490R, MS490F

MS490N, L

MS580N18

MS580N18G

MS590N18
   

* NOT mfx capable.

G-variant with
2 ext. Goldcaps

* NOT mfx capable.
  REPLACED BY

MS490, /R, /F, MS490N, /L

MS580N18, /G

MS590N18
Expand Dimensions (mm) 19 x 8,6 x 2,9 19 x 8,6 x 2,9 25 x 10,5 x 4 15 x 9,5 x 3,3
Expand ConnectionsWires and/or standardized interfaces 12 wires
NEM-652, NEM-651		 NEM-651directly Next18 Next18
Expand Total current (continuous):
motor+sound+FOs(peak)		 0.7 A(1.5 A) 0.7 A(1.5 A) 0,8 A(1,5 A) 0,8 A(1,5 A)
Expand Motor current (continuous)(peak) 0.7 A(1.5 A) 0.7 A(1.5 A) 0,8 A(1,5 A) 0,8 A(1,5 A)
Expand Current on Function OutputsTotal of the FOs 0.5 A 0.5 A 0.6 A 0.5 A
Expand number and type
Function Outputs
incl. 2 x headlights(+ logic level outputs)
4all 4 with wires
 
(+2 logic level)
42 on plug
2 on s.pads
(+2 logic level)
4all 4 on plug
 
(+2 logic level)
(+2 LED 6 mA)
4all 4 on plug
 
(+3 logic level)
Expand Servo control wires
(complete witch 5 V supply)
2alternate use
of logic level
(NO, external 5 V)
2alternate use
of logic level
(NO, external 5 V)
2alternate use
of logic level
(NO, external 5 V)
2alternate use
of logic level
(NO, external 5 V)
Expand SUSI - connection
alternatively SUSI, I²C, sound loading
yesalternate use
of logic level
on s.pads
yesalternate use
of logic level
on s.pads
yesalternate use
of logic level
on Next18
yesalternate use
of logic level
on Next18
Expand Switch Inputs
for cam sensors, Reed switches, i.a.
  
+2 alternate use
of logic level
  
+2 alternate use
of logic level
  
+2 alternate use
of logic level
  
+2 alternate use
of logic level
Expand stabilised Low Voltage
to be taken from
5 V
max 50 mA
on solder pads
5 V
max 50 mA
on solder pads		 5 V possible
(see connection plan)
no
Expand Energy Storage connection
15 V - capacitors DIRECTLY to the decoder
yes
on s.pads
max ~1000 µF
yes
on s.pads
max ~1000 µF		 internal buffer
2000 µF/5 V
yes
external: 5 V tantals on s.pads
no
Expand Speaker Outputs
dep. on dec. 8 Ω or 4 Ω
(2 x 8 Ω in parallel)
1
1 Watt / 8 Ω
on wires
1
Watt / 8 Ω
on wires
1
1 Watt / 8 Ω
on Next18
1
1 Watt / 8 Ω
on Next18
Expand Sound Flash 128 Mbit 128 Mbit 128 Mbit 128 Mbit
DOCS and INFO Connection diagrams can be found above in the info info plus section of the respective decoder and in the user manual
The user manuals provided below refer to the hardware and software status at the time of the last production of the respective decoder. This is for information and comparison purposes only.
Normally, you should always use the latest software and the corresponding latest user manual, even for older decoders.
OLD user manual MS-MN-Decoder_EN - SW4.229 - 2023.07.11