Mesa Subway D-800+

[Ewo]

Plenty of volume from the fans cause their stuck on high all the time. They never shut off

IIRC there was a factory update to address that. I sent my MB800 to them, and they fixed it.

That said, the Mesa D-800 fan is quieter.

 

[pigpen1]

IIRC there was a factory update to address that. I sent my MB800 to them, and they fixed it.

That said, the Mesa D-800 fan is quieter.

Not knocking other amps, but if there is a choice of quieter fan, why do some companies choose louder ones? Cost?

 

[Ewo]

Not knocking other amps, but if there is a choice of quieter fan, why do some companies choose louder ones? Cost?

IANA tech or designer, but I have a guess. The very small height of the GK limited the diameter of the fan they could install, so it had to run at a higher speed to pull enough air through to move out the heat.

That's just me, spitballing...

 

[pigpen1]

IANA tech or designer, but I have a guess. The very small height of the GK limited the diameter of the fan they could install, so it had to run at a higher speed to pull enough air through to move out the heat.

That's just me, spitballing...

So I'm guessing that at some point one became available because I guess they updated it?

 

[Ewo]

So I'm guessing that at some point one became available because I guess they updated it?

AFAIK the factory mod ran the fan at a lower speed when the amp wasn't making as much heat; it upped the speed when there was more heat to dissipate.

My amp was from the early manufacture. If I got the story right, they incorporated that change into later units. So they offered to mod the older amps that were already out in the field.

 

[daveman50]

I just scored an 800+ in the classifieds. First impression: this is an awesome, awesome amp that has many intelligent features useful to bass players. I haven't gigged it yet, of course, but I've pushed it to my "neighbor limit" and it is a solid, tight, flexible amp. Nice work, Mesa and Andy!

 

[daveman50]

PS: the TT 800 is getting all the love these days. I have no doubt that it's an even more awesome amp. I don't think, personally, that I need all that. Maybe I will in a year.... The 800+ seems like the culmination of Class D design. Or let's say, the apotheosis, to use a 20-dollar word. It's a big deal, and I hope it's not overshadowed by the TT 800.

 

[bdplaid]

PS: the TT 800 is getting all the love these days. I have no doubt that it's an even more awesome amp. I don't think, personally, that I need all that. Maybe I will in a year.... The 800+ seems like the culmination of Class D design. Or let's say, the apotheosis, to use a 20-dollar word. It's a big deal, and I hope it's not overshadowed by the TT 800.

Don't assume that the WD and TT are necessarily better. I had a WD and didn't care for it nearly as much as the 800+. For me it was the difference between tube sound and SS. I doubt I'd like the TT for the same reason, as I prefer SS amps.

Honestly, I couldn't get half what I wanted from the WD as I can from the 800+.

 

[jeff7bass]

Don't assume that the WD and TT are necessarily better. I had a WD and didn't care for it nearly as much as the 800+. For me it was the difference between tube sound and SS. I doubt I'd like the TT for the same reason, as I prefer SS amps.

Honestly, I couldn't get half what I wanted from the WD as I can from the 800+.

That's surprising because from most posts I've read, you're more likely to make the WD sound like their other amps (than vice versa) because of it's tube-pre and more extensive EQ section.

 

[bdplaid]

I'm sure I don't speak for everyone, it's just that the d800+ scratches my itch. I don't care what "the mesa sound" is. I just like a robust loud high quality amp that sounds like I want.

Fwiw, I have a quilter bb800 and love that one too.

 

[Al Kraft]

That's surprising because from most posts I've read, you're more likely to make the WD sound like their other amps (than vice versa) because of it's tube-pre and more extensive EQ section.

I think there are few areas where the voicing is close and some might even say it overlaps between the heads, but IME each head has its own unique tonal focus and features to appreciate. I think the main differences are driven much more the voicing goals of each design than whether the tone is produced by a tube, multiple tube, or all SS front end.

 

[lomo]

I do not buy the idea that there is a current "Mesa tone" for bass. Each of their current offerings is different...none "better" than another, although the versatility/range of tones available in each "sort of" increases (along with some features) from 800>>800+>>WD>>TT. I chose "sort of" , because although the TT offers 2 discreet preamps, the front end of the WD offers more precise frequency controls; I call that a wash, and personally prefer the Walkabout style front end. ......That said, the smaller size of the D800 may make it more desirable than any of the others if the sound you seek is inside it. Whatever floats yer boat

 

[bdplaid]

If there is a "mesa tone," I don't know what it is. Certainly not in the way there is an Ampeg sound (which in my mind is a love or hate kind of thing). I chose the subway for several reasons, not the least of which is that it's made in the USA, and Andy's involvement here.

I had a d800, the a d800+, then a WD. I found the d800+ to be an an expansion of the d800, but the WD to be a different animal. I couldn't find the d800+ tone in the WD.

Ultimately, I think the Subway line as a whole represents the current pinnacle of what a class D amp can do, and because there are several amps with different electronic topologies, covers an immense amount of ground in producing the sound a player might be after. Play them all. There's no right answer other than the one that tickles your pickle.

 

[bdplaid]

That's surprising because from most posts I've read, you're more likely to make the WD sound like their other amps (than vice versa) because of it's tube-pre and more extensive EQ section.

It's entirely possible I'm an idiot.

I didn't care for the expanded eq, just couldn't dial it in.

For me, it's all about the midrange, and I preferred the d800+.

Key word being "preferred."

 

[agedhorse]

To clarify, there is a range of tones on the new Subway amps just like there was a range of tones on our older amp models.

I have taken the older range and brought them forward with the help of discussions and opinions here in TB and from my experience in the touring world as well as feedback I have received along the way.

So, there kinda of is and kinda isn’t a Mesa/Subway tone but there is an admittedly broad theme or family of tones that range from clean and open to fairly harmonically complex and textured. Common points include a round bottom with reasonable extension, articulation in the middle and a not overly bright or aggressive top end.

 

[Lowendtech]

To clarify, there is a range of tones on the new Subway amps just like there was a range of tones on our older amp models.

I have taken the older range and brought them forward with the help of discussions and opinions here in TB and from my experience in the touring world as well as feedback I have received along the way.

So, there kinda of is and kinda isn’t a Mesa/Subway tone but there is an admittedly broad theme or family of tones that range from clean and open to fairly harmonically complex and textured. Common points include a round bottom with reasonable extension, articulation in the middle and a not overly bright or aggressive top end.

You’ve succeeded well beyond most people’s expectations I think. My opinion is that it’s the best class D lineup on the market.

 

[lomo]

For me, it's all about the midrange, and I preferred the d800+.

Key word being "preferred."

LOL-for me it's also all about the mids......which is why I prefer the WD800...... Vive les different strokes

 

[Al Kraft]

LOL-for me it's also all about the mids......which is why I prefer the WD800...... Vive les different strokes

...once again, proof positive that common words don't always equate to a common definition...if only all our descriptive words included a mandatory picture and/or sound sample as a point of reference!