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New Demeter "Class D" Amps??

#5
Always found the Demeter amp design kind of strange. There is only one 'volume control' that acts as a pre gain AND master volume. From talking with them when I was considering a previous version of this amp, I believe it is a fixed input level with a master volume.

Don't like that at all. Otherwise, looks cool, but that single volume control is a strange design decision for me, especially given the wide range of output levels on various basses.
 
#6
I had the old style 201, there is a mini screwdriver turned knob to adjust level inside the box. Pretty inconvenient but I found if you kept it around 10 o'clock it served pretty well and let you open up the volume knob some. I used to pair it with a QSC USA 900.
 
#7
ACB0015 said:
I had the old style 201, there is a mini screwdriver turned knob to adjust level inside the box. Pretty inconvenient but I found if you kept it around 10 o'clock it served pretty well and let you open up the volume knob some. I used to pair it with a QSC USA 900.
Click to expand...

You wonder what they were thinking with that design. I guess if you only own one bass, you can set it optimally. Strange when the rest of it seems nicely thought out.
 
#9
Quackhead said:
I wonder how much difference there would be in tone between one of these and a VTBP-201s and a decent Class D power amp? I have a Carvin HD1500 that I like.
Click to expand...

I'm going to bet "Zero"

Demeter has some claims around a Jensen transformer added to the amp. If you want, you can play the
transformer game and add one to the input of the Carvin. But really, these types of transformers were used for years in recording gear and FOH and they're know for transparency, not coloration.

Otherwise you'd see people adding transformers to their effect loops to add some extra tone. It would be simple to build one.
 
#10
I've heard the transformers were added to the preamp to prevent phantom power from frying the pre and don't think the transformers affect the tone.

seamonkey said:
I'm going to bet "Zero"

Demeter has some claims around a Jensen transformer added to the amp. If you want, you can play the
transformer game and add one to the input of the Carvin. But really, these types of transformers were used for years in recording gear and FOH and they're know for transparency, not coloration.

Otherwise you'd see people adding transformers to their effect loops to add some extra tone. It would be simple to build one.
Click to expand...
 
#11
Demeter site says:

"our transformer coupled circuit design preserves the tube warmth from the preamp section and offers a clean 800 watt RMS"

Just pointing out, adding transformer coupling to any amp, including heads is not too difficult. Expensive maybe, but it alone is not the magic this would have you believe.
 
#13
From DemeterAmps:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/new-demeter-bass-power-amp-885863/index3.html#post13231289
"Yeah, the nice thing about this setup is that the pre is perfectly coupled with the power amp through a pair of Jensen transformers...so although the Class D amp is solid state, it's running through some fairly colorful transformers which allow the output to retain the 'tube' characteristics. It should actually sound better than a 201 coupled with a separate power amp. If you still have your 201, we can mod it and add the power section. (it stays a single rack space!)"

You will be fine with the Carvin.
 
#14
I'm enjoying mine quite a bit. Works about as we'll as I could hope for.
CF3D0AC7-01B6-4803-82FC-D91465FEA647-4614-000002E8A41C633F_zpsddb41280.jpg
 
#16
Just received mine. Sounds really nice. Has that clean tube amp tone and good power. Sounds like playing through a studio console with a tube front end. Really sounds best with my 4 ohm cabinet, the amp comes to life just a little more. Mine has two speakon combo jacks and a fan that can be turned on and off. Have it in a Gator shallow rack with my tuner, power conditioner and wireless only 26lbs.
 
#17
I've owned the same model (black face, 1.5 rack units) several times and used it with a few different power amps, from cheap to relatively good (QSC RMX1450).
Owned the last one while I also had a Trace Twin Valve head in the house so I tried to bypass the Trace preamp and use the Demeter to obtain an all valve head...

:hiding:

The sound was incredible. The Demeter always sounded good but when coupled with a tube power stage it simply kills. Something you should try, really. :)
 
#18
I've owned both the original VTBP-201 and the HBP...after talking to Jim (now James) he would tell you that the input has so much headroom, it really only matters which hi/low gain input you plug in to for the amount of "color" you want. of course that being said, passive basses would have a tougher time getting a "hotter i.e more color" input signal to the front end vs. those big 18volt active monsters.
 
#19
fish slapper said:
No but I also saw that they'll take your existing Demeter Pre and add the power amp for a mere $800. Since I have a HPB-1...:hiding:
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In 2011 James converted my old Demeter 201 to incorporate the D800 power section. I have been gigging with it regularly in rock, country and blues settings since. It sometimes drives a pre 2000 Epifani 212T or 2, 112T cabinets. It has been THE most reliable amp I have ever owned next to the Demeter Bass 600. I love this head, it's my sound.
 

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