NAD: The return of the TT800

[roccobass]

@MaxSpinrun

I admit that some ignoranceI played a part when I sold my first TT800. When my main two bands folded back in 2022, I thought this was way too much amp for me. It was kind of a snap decision. I should have waited and studied it a bit more. Not thinking ahead that life and music go in cycles.

I love my current D800, but never bonded with the D800+ when had one for a year. That one I really tried to like, but no go. I realized the the TT was the one I needed to return to. I missed that Boogie channel. That and the TTs Subway channel is different fron the D800s.

 

[MojoPin]

I go back and forth between wanting to get the TT-800 and the Kinetix 800 as far as hybrids go. I really wish I could test them out side by side but Guitar Center is the only big retailer that sales them that MIGHT have them in a giant showroom at the same time, or at least the Boogie stuff. Genzler is seemingly impossible to find on shelves not that it's their fault or anything, same with Mesa. I'm thinking I might just try the TT-800 first since it does have more options and is made in the US which is a little plus for me though I know it isn't the be all end all of points to look at, it was actually the first amp I was going to buy before discovering the SuperBassman 300 and falling completely in love.

 

[Al Kraft]

I also have the D800+. Have heard others say that they did not "bond" with the TT. After trying again at a later date, they then find the appeal. Is it a lack of understanding how the pre section works or the overall function. I am eager to try one in anticipation of it adding something especially different from my D800+.

It's just my opinion, but I suspect that it has to do with how different the Boogie channel tone stack is from the rest of the SW heads. I also think a few folks don't find the SW channel as "SS" sounding as the 800, 800+ or 350. Then add to that fewer controls for each channel with some unusual new things (e.g. OD symmetry control and a muti-attribute mid shift) and it can take a little time to figure out that its not "just another SW head with different voicing".

There is a lot of power in the EQ controls on both channels but the Boogie channel in particular is more like a Fender tone-stack with some extra magic thrown in. I think you also have to like the mid to low damping factor feel (that affects both channels). For some, the basic voicing isn't where they like to start or end up and then there are better choices.

The TT is best appreciated IMO if you don't go in expecting a slight/minor design excursion from the other SW heads. It is quite different from the straight D versions and actually quite different from the WD as well. In fact, that might be one of things I like about it the most...it's not a modified repeat of any previous designs but rather something very different. I think the WD was in the same kind of situation when it first came out where it took some folks a little time and a bit of experimentation to find their happy place with that head.

As always YMMV, but that's my best guess.

 

[roccobass]

End of the night at our regular Mexican restaurant gig. The TT800 sounded fantastic. I traded off between both channels. Both sound great and gave me lots of options.

 

[funkyjudge]

How do you like the combination of your TT-800 with the Phil Jones cab? I assume that is the C4 cab with the 5" speakers? My wife (also a bassist) uses a PJB D-600 amp through one or two C4 cabs depending upon what band she is playing with and the gig venue. I have borrowed her D-600 head and one of her C4 cabs for my band rehearsals (my D-1000 head is a bit much for driving just one C4 cab). That D-600 at half power along with the single C4 is perfect for band rehearsals and small venue gigs with my 6-piece blues/classic R&B band!

 

[roccobass]

How do you like the combination of your TT-800 with the Phil Jones cab? I assume that is the C4 cab with the 5" speakers? My wife (also a bassist) uses a PJB D-600 amp through one or two C4 cabs depending upon what band she is playing with and the gig venue. I have borrowed her D-600 head and one of her C4 cabs for my band rehearsals (my D-1000 head is a bit much for driving just one C4 cab). That D-600 at half power along with the single C4 is perfect for band rehearsals and small venue gigs with my 6-piece blues/classic R&B band!

I like the TT800 / C4 combination a lot. Very punchy and warm. I have a couple of Subway 12s too and the TT is great with those also.

 

[AceOfBassFace]

Good stuff! I really like mine - my favourite head since I sold my old SVT CL.