I'd like to know your opinion on the Demeter VTBP-201s bass preamp. I have the chance to get a good deal on one. I've never played one, but I've heard very good things about them, and their DI's. How does it compare to an Ampeg SVT 3-Pro? I'm about convert into a pre+power amp setup soon and I'd like to know if this is worth it.
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Demeter?
- Thread starter the_fooj
- Start date
bongomania
Commercial User
Demeter is high-end pro, Ampeg is working-class pro. Search on the Demeter here, there are hundreds of threads about it.
Basically what I've found about is that it has a very nice warm tubey sort of sound, which I'm all about. Also I've read that the DI is really nice, which is a huge plus for me. One review also said that it's a very rock sounding amp? Does anyone else agree with this?
I've only had mine for a few days but I can say that the DI is very nice and I would agree that it can easily be voiced for a rock tone if your bass is capable. It doesn't massively color your basses tone but it adds a nice tube color. It is very responsive to tube changes too. Great preamp! 
I have had one for years. I didn't like it much except out of the xlr- I was playing with it one day and realized they wired the back wrong. The tuner out has the best sound and was the only out affected by the mute/volume or any other switch. ??? Weird. Has this happened to any one else???
Absolutely loved mine. Very clear and quick. The Jensen DI worked nicely. Simple controls. As mentioned, the 201 is a tube swappers delight.
Hey Hank, I think I have the same problem. Haven't dug into it much as I've been very pressed for time lately, but my mute switch doesn't turn off the XLR out either. It does turn off the amp output though.
At any rate, I love my Demeter. Frankly, I don't do much with the EQ, only minor bumps and cuts from time to time. Just rich, tubey goodness.
At any rate, I love my Demeter. Frankly, I don't do much with the EQ, only minor bumps and cuts from time to time. Just rich, tubey goodness.
Yeah it was weird... the sound was not very good,, and the volume knob or any other knob or switch had no effect on the sound. But the tuner out had the best sound, and a hot level and was affected by the volume knob and every other switch. When you get a chance,, try running out of the tuner out (I know this seems wrong to do) but Mine is definitely wired that way. The tuner out is the unbalanced out and the two unbalanced outs are essentially tuner outs, with no eq or anything. The Xlr is working fine, just to use it live I have to always tell the sound engineer and have this conversation with him. lol. I think when I have some time I will make a short video and post it on youtube with the link here. Give me a week or so.. but just try the tuner out and let me know what happens... I hear a lot of people say the dem is "too" neutral sounding, I wonder if its this?? It was for me... Just curious..
Mute Switch: mutes all outputs except the flat setting on the Jensen balanced output and tuner output. yes except the tuner that is always on, even when the mute is engaged, so you can tune without the amp and pa making noise...
Maybe I have mine set flat coming out of the XLR. I'll have to check tonight.
Wow, we really stole the Fooj's thread here, huh? Sorry. Suffice it to say, the Demeter is one hell of a good pre amp.
Wow, we really stole the Fooj's thread here, huh? Sorry. Suffice it to say, the Demeter is one hell of a good pre amp.
top notch - very quick, tight, dynamic, and the passive EQ has plenty of range. Great DI. I like the sound a lot better than the H series, and to be honest I thought it sounded a wee bit better than my vintage space and a half demeter preamp I used to have.
