Really? I wasn't expecting that from this ampThe amp sounds fabulous.
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Mesa/Boogie Titan V12 megathread!
- Thread starter Krügmeister
- Start date
The cooling update would have been installing a second fan. Way back when the one I had went in, it was originally a single fan unit and Mesa added a second one.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,022
- 5
- 220,882
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
I don't believe the perforated cover is necessary with the current update.
The second fan and the perforated cover are notre necessarily part of the update if I remember correctly.
It a took a while, but finally I used the Titan on a gig.
Well, well, well.
This is the best sounding amp I ever used. And I went through the whole palette.
What stands out:
- clear separation of guitar and bass. Never experienced before such a clear distinction. We received much positive feedback, especially from long time die hard fans, on how good the band sounded.
- Punch, punch, punch. No mud. By dialing in or out bass and low mids I have precise control on how punchy it gets.
I got rid of all my overdrive pedals, went only by a clean, slightly compressing A-channel, and a raunchy, gnarly, a bit overdriven B-channel, where I could control degree of drive by attacking harder or softer.
Well, well, well.
This is the best sounding amp I ever used. And I went through the whole palette.
What stands out:
- clear separation of guitar and bass. Never experienced before such a clear distinction. We received much positive feedback, especially from long time die hard fans, on how good the band sounded.
- Punch, punch, punch. No mud. By dialing in or out bass and low mids I have precise control on how punchy it gets.
I got rid of all my overdrive pedals, went only by a clean, slightly compressing A-channel, and a raunchy, gnarly, a bit overdriven B-channel, where I could control degree of drive by attacking harder or softer.
Apparently my update did not include a fan or, more to my surprise, a new powerblock or MOSFETs.
The second part of the detailed invoice came today via email, so I thought I would take closer look. From what I can tell, they reworked the power block with new resistors and capacitors, did some work on the low voltage power supply, and replaced the output transformer. The total for parts, 2-hrs of labor, and $40 return shipping equals the amount they billed me, so I accounted for everything.
On the positive side, the Titan sounds better than ever. The lows seem to extend a bit deeper and the highs are sweeter and easier to dial in. There are other nuanced improvements as well, but I won't bore you with the mindless details.
On the
side: I guess I'll keep my fingers crossed on the MOSFETs. I was really under the impression that degradation of the MOSFET terminals was a major source of problems with this amp, and one of the primary reason for the update. Perhaps they inspected the MOSFETs in my amps and it had the good ones all along 
. I usually try to keep a positive outlook 
.
Usually line operating voltage would only impact the PT. My invoice specifies the PT is for US/Japan.
I believe the rest of the update is driven my the revision of the amp. I found a webpage that says the Titans were made from Jan 2007 to Feb 2011. I think mine was made in the middle of production.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,022
- 5
- 220,882
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Replacement of the MOSFETS is not a necessary part of the update (there may be exceptions for catastrophic damage to the earliest single die devices which we discontinued years ago).
Good to know. As I inferred in the previous post, each update seems to be basically a custom job. I was surprised the amp didn't need MOSFETs and a new heatsink as I thought that was a common part of the update. But the good news is it probably saved me quite a bit of money and there is no point in replacing good parts. The other surprise is I really didn't expect the amp to sound better after the update, since it was already pretty awesome
. Glad you're on the Mesa team, and hopefully it means the Subway and future amps you design for them will be rock solid, instead of needing a spa day with the factory repair guys.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,022
- 5
- 220,882
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Good to know. As I inferred in the previous post, each update seems to be basically a custom job. I was surprised the amp didn't need MOSFETs and a new heatsink as I thought that was a common part of the update. But the good news is it probably saved me quite a bit of money and there is no point in replacing good parts. The other surprise is I really didn't expect the amp to sound better after the update, since it was already pretty awesome
Glad you're on the Mesa team, and hopefully it means the Subway and future amps you design for them will be rock solid, instead of needing a spa day with the factory repair guys.
Over the life of the amp, there were quite a few changes. Some were due to suppliers discontinuing or changing parts (like the MOSFETs), and some were due to changes that improved the appeal (tone). There were also changes that improved reliability based on service history. It depends very much on when the amp was built as to what revision you have.
The original Titan I believed used a single die device that was soon discontinued and is no longer available except from counterfeit sources (never buy MOSFETs from a Chinese vendor that also sells hair products... just sayin') so we migrated to a supposed identical part from another vendor but that turned out not to be identical so if you have the first version of MOSFET and they are damaged we have no matching parts. Finally, we changed over to a dual die part that improved performance because the specs were easier to work with (and reduced the gate drive PCB layout). So, the answer is "it depends"
Beware it's a complicated amp. However, I don't think I have ever seen any schematics for the amp though. Send a mail to Mesa.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,022
- 5
- 220,882
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
These are very complicated amps to repair, our experience is that non-authorised service techs that do not have experience with our products struggle mightily. We do not have the resources to work with techs to re-invent the wheel nor do most customers have the money to cover the cost of a tech's education on such a product. You will need to find an authorized service center in the EU (your region) and they can work directly with our service support staff to get it repaired. They will also have the ability to order the necessary parts for the repair, in some cases these parts may include rebuilt assemblies. We do not release schematics for these amps for this reason.
If you PM me, I can look into who might be a good candidate to help you get this serviced.
I have had my silver faced Titan at least 6 years and it’s my go to head( also have a Mesa 400+, Mesa Subway D800+, and a Genzler Magellan 800), and once it over heated on me in a tight rack case, but was fine after cool down. But now I never play with it in a rack case and I have not had a bit of trouble since, and in practice I use my other non-tube heads- and I haven’t had to send my head in for an update. It’s a fabulous amp and I want it to last as long as possible!! I previously also had a GBE1200- a good amp but seemed a little sterile tone wise. This Titan is the best amp I’ve heard and I have been playing since 67. However , speakers are also important and I just got a pair of MA Soundworks 110 cabs that sound incredible chewy tone...but I am afraid that I’ll blow up the speakers with my Titan so I am using my Genzler or Subway D800+ for now until I can visit Mike at his Factory and see if he has any cabs that can handle the Titan . If he does, I can’t wait to hear how that combination sounds!!! Damn virus!
Glad that you are happy with your Titan!! I am late to finish my post. Every older amp has always carried some risk of breakdown . But you try and minimize that risk if you like the amp! Just talk to guitarists who covet the sound of their late 60s Marshall amps! Anyway I added a couple pics. In the first pic, my Titan is sitting on top of a Mesa PH 410 and Genz Benz Uber 410 running at 2 ohms. Next to it is my Mesa 400+ on top of a Mesa PH 212 4 ohm cab. In the second pic is my newest set of cabs, 2-MASoundworks 110 cabs which are each around 300 W RMS. On top of that I’m using a Genzler Mag 800 which is serving up delicious chewy articulate tone, and not in this pic is my practice rig a Mesa Subway D 800+ powering a Bergantino HSD 410!Have fun and play safe, and carry a back up for your older heads!
Peace,
DAcat
