Demeter........VTBP-201s or HBP-1?

[Big String]

Thanks Turok
I keep hearing from owner of the old style that the older one sounds better or "blows away" the new S. ?? Just wondering what they are hearing or if they could explain why.

[Turock]

Originally posted by Big String
Thanks Turok
I keep hearing from owner of the old style that the older one sounds better or "blows away" the new S. ?? Just wondering what they are hearing or if they could explain why.

I thought that was what you were going for, but since I don't have any experience with the "S" model, I can't really comment on any sonic differences. Mine is the VTBP-201DBL. I think the DBL designates that it has the Jensen transformer and the XLR outputs. The VTBP 201L doesn't have either.

[carl-anton]

Can anybody compare the tone of the 201(s) to a SWR amp (the pro-line) I have a bass750 with goliath cabs, but got interested in pre's since a friend of mine can build me a cheap 500 or 1000 watts digital poweramp. Is the difference between the Demeter and the SWR big enough to be worth looking into. I'm pretty sure it would be difficult to test a Demeter where I live, so I wont bother if they're too close. I'm not interested in the eq possibillities of the HBP1 - since a bad room is allways taken care of by the PA - just a plug'n play pure tone that sounds good with no tweeking. I like a tight (but present) low-end with good mid-range growl that doesn't get honky or farty, and a hi-end sizzle that makes string-"noise" become apparent but not anoying (stringnoise is the breath of the sound!)... well, maybe that's a pretty general describtion, but hey...

Thanks in advance

[IvanMike]

yes i do have experience
the demeter is somewhere betwen the swr and the eden sound - very tight not harsh but not overly warm
you can always use outboaard preamps with your swr by plugging them into the effects return jack

in fact, here's a favorite trick of mine
plug your bass into the input of your swr
run a line out from the swr's tuner out jack into the front of whatever 2nd preamp you are using
plug the output of the 2nd preamp into the swr's effects return jack
use the swr's effects blend knob to mix the signals between the two preamps, or turn it to the extremes (dry = just swr, and wet = just the other preamp)
if you get a chance to demo amother preamp this is a great way to compare it to your swr's tone

[carl-anton]

Thanks IvanMike! So the Demeter tone is somewhat warmer and rounder than the SWR tone I guess?

Great tip for testing the preamps btw!

[ebozzz]

IvanMike,

I like your vavtar. Do you keep Apistogrammas?

To me SWR products just have more of an overdriven tone than the Demeter 201s or HBP-1.

[mikezimmerman]

Originally posted by IvanMike

plug your bass into the input of your swr
run a line out from the swr's tuner out jack into the front of whatever 2nd preamp you are using
plug the output of the 2nd preamp into the swr's effects return jack
use the swr's effects blend knob to mix the signals between the two preamps, or turn it to the extremes (dry = just swr, and wet = just the other preamp)

Depends on whether the tuner out is "pre" or "post" the SWR preamp, I suppose.

In any event, I'll take this opportunity to point out the great Basstaster's preamp shoot-out (with sound clips!) conducted by TB'er Vanselus and friends, which includes both the Demeter 201S and several different SWR preamps--I'd guess the Grand Prix is probably the closest to the preamp section on the Bass750.

http://basstasters.com/preamps.htm

Not quite the same as playing them with your own bass through your own cabs, but still a cool way to get an small idea of the differences between different preamps.

Mike

[carl-anton]

Originally posted by mikezimmerman


In any event, I'll take this opportunity to point out the great Basstaster's preamp shoot-out (with sound clips!) conducted by TB'er Vanselus and friends, which includes both the Demeter 201S and several different SWR preamps--I'd guess the Grand Prix is probably the closest to the preamp section on the Bass750.

http://basstasters.com/preamps.htm


Mike

Yeah, I just found it. Great stuff! Thanks anyway.

[Will Kelly]

murp

[chadds]

Originally Posted by carl-anton

Thanks IvanMike! So the Demeter tone is somewhat warmer and rounder than the SWR tone I guess?

Great tip for testing the preamps btw!

The HPB-1 isn't warmer and rounder than the SWR. It's clearer until you crank it then it's not as clear. If you're getting away from the SWR sound the Demeters are a choice but not an improvement to me. Just different. The cheap mod for SWRs that's on this forum which removes the scoop seems like a nice thing.
I've played both Dems. The 201 is way more old school and organic sounding. The HPB sounds more clinical and less musical. Side by side the HPB sounds more hifi, the 201 more vintage.

[jokerjkny]

woah,

holy older that dirt...

fyi, had the 201s, had the f-1x, but currently own the hpb-1.

love the parametric on it, and again, really hard to tell the diff btwn that and the 201s. the alembic is a fantastic preamp as well, but i just cant seem to get the same kind of articulate air that's in both demeter pre's.

but truth be told, i'm not a fan of the demeter customer service. its been a while, but didnt have the best experience when i had a problem w/ my demeter power amp. alembic on the other hand treated me like a freakin' king.

[Joelc73]

Originally Posted by jokerjkny

woah,

holy older that dirt...

fyi, had the 201s, had the f-1x, but currently own the hpb-1.

love the parametric on it, and again, really hard to tell the diff btwn that and the 201s. the alembic is a fantastic preamp as well, but i just cant seem to get the same kind of articulate air that's in both demeter pre's.

but truth be told, i'm not a fan of the demeter customer service. its been a while, but didnt have the best experience when i had a problem w/ my demeter power amp. alembic on the other hand treated me like a freakin' king.

Joker

What problem did you have with your Demeter power amp? I've always thought of them as pretty bullet proof. I think I sold you yours too actually... I would hate to think you had something go wrong with it that didn't get resolved.

[jokerjkny]

Originally Posted by Joelc73

Joker

What problem did you have with your Demeter power amp? I've always thought of them as pretty bullet proof. I think I sold you yours too actually... I would hate to think you had something go wrong with it that didn't get resolved.

oh,

nono, not a big problem at all. heck, i cant even remember what it was. think it might have been a tube related issue. rather, i just remember the slightly crummy service. :\

[SteveC]

Doesn't Bass Player brag about using the Demeter 201 as their testing rig? Why would they not use the Alembic if they rated it as the best? Just curious. Never tried Alembic. I did have the 201. Very nice.

[Insouciance]

Slight zombie thread resurrection...

Any one have any more thoughts on which Demeter preamp they prefer? I am upgrading from an entry level Ampeg B2R (USA made though!) to a big boy pre/power amp rack setup. I can't decide!

[chadds]

Originally Posted by Insouciance

Slight zombie thread resurrection...

Any one have any more thoughts on which Demeter preamp they prefer? I am upgrading from an entry level Ampeg B2R (USA made though!) to a big boy pre/power amp rack setup. I can't decide!

The 201 is the tubier more old school sounding of the two. The HPB-1 is the more modern.

[Arthur U. Poon]

i haven't tried the VTBP-201S, but I have owned an HBP-1 for many years. The HBP-1 has cured me of any further preamp G.A.S..

[Insouciance]

Fair enough. I am after a tube sound, perhaps the 201s is the way to go. It appears both are incredible products as so many people say one is better than the other and vice versa. All comes down to taste!

[Jazzdogg]

Originally Posted by Insouciance

Fair enough. I am after a tube sound, perhaps the 201s is the way to go. It appears both are incredible products as so many people say one is better than the other and vice versa. All comes down to taste!

Give "Monique" a listen; she gets Lots of love on TB.

http://www.juleamps.com/bass/monique.html

[pacojas]

i'm hooked on the HBP-1!!!