DEMETER VTBP-201 TUBE BASS PREAMPLIFIER REVIEW

Bass Player Magazine

The Tone Zone: 20 Preamps Under $1,000

Talk about a tone machine, this striped-to-the-core Sultan of Sound went over big with our tone-o-philes. Demeter's VTDB-2 direct box is a studio standard, and the VTBP-201 offers the same kind of performance. It doesn't have a ton of bells and whistles: just a volume knob and a 4-band rotary EQ plus right, bass EQ (60Hz/120Hz), and presense EQ (3kHz/6kHz) switches.

Internally, the Demeter is a masterpiece: Switchcraft jacks, Mouser pots, Wima caps, metal-film resistors, two ceramic tube sockets, beefy switches, an optional Jensen DI transformer (which upped the price of our test unit to $749), and a board lined with thick solder traces. It would have received a perfect construction score had it not been for a stripped-out midrange knob that fell off; also, the unit's left rack ear was actually a right ear installed upside down, making our test unit unrackable. We also weren't sold on the effects loop, it distorted the input of a chorus pedal, and the low end dropped off. The 201's loop is most likely optimized for rack equipment; level switch would help.

We couldn't find a bass that sounded bad through this baby. "This is the shit," exclaimed one tester. Although the EQ is on the subtle side, the 201's ultra-fast transient response kept our eyes glued to our power amp's peak LEDs. Tubeaholics will love the dynamic, mush-free bottom and the lush, sparkling, detailed highs. Comments: "As pure as it gets." "Slapper heaven." "Controlled tube sound, not too cluttered or muddy."

• Made in USA
• List price: $595 ($749 as tested)
• Construction: 4
• Electronics: 5
• Convenience: 5
• Sound: 5
• Value: 5

Tone Tally: Earthy, unfiltered tone to die for.

Bottom Line: A pro box capable of overcoming any aural obstacle.