Obviously a personal decision, but if I wanted 2-3 DCC/Sound equipped HO engines, I'd go with new from any of the well known manufacturers, some of which you've mentioned. The old Athearn Blue Box locos don't, I believe have drive trains that are as sophisticated and reliable as newer locos (motors, gearing, etc.). Plus you'd have to put in many hours to adapt them to DCC, including possibly milling the frames, or put many dollars into someone doing this for you. So one way or the other, you're committing some hundreds of dollars or dozens of hours of time. But in one case, you're getting state of the art locos with a warranty from a current dealer/manufacturer, if that's important to you.
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