Demeter VTDB-2B Tube Direct Box

Bought as reconditioned product through Demeter Amplification online store in fall 2001. Not sure on year but these have been in production since 1980's. This is not an amp as such it is a direct input box that is ideally suited to conditioning the direct line out on your acoustic/electric guitar and/or bass for recording or going direct into P.A. during live performance. It is single-channel, no effects, headphone out. It does use a single 12AX7 tube as the source of the tube warmth that it contributes to the sound but it is really meant to be very transparent and does not color the sound.

Sound is relative to the cleanliness of the signal you put in. It has agrounding switch but I';ve never used it as my guitars and basses are setup to be either shielded if using single-coils, or I use active pikcups (EMG's on my bass) or piezo pickups on acoustic guitar. I have used it with relatively inexpensive low-to-mid-range guitars (a Yamaha acoustic electric and a 1980's Squier Strat) with very good results. It is a great unit to use to balance out the signal and warm out the sound during direct digital recording/multitracking. I am then able to apply EQ, compression, digital effects, reverb as sutied to achieve a very satisfactory tone that woudl otherwise be too dry and lifeless. It is dead quiet when operating properly.

I would have thought it was very reliable but the one I got was used for one project in 2001 and a couple of other times since and somewhere during that time it stopped working right. I thought it was the tube which I replaced, but no it now only emits a LOUD CONTINUOUS CYCLICAL HUM when I attempt to use it. E-mailed Demeter and they repsonded promptly that they thought it was power supply issue and to send it in for service.

After being directed to send my unit in for service. I did so and heard nothing for nearly 2 weeks. I then called and emailed. no response. Icalled nad e-mailed again. no response. It's been 3 weeks now and they don't even return my call or e-mail. Totally inexcusable in my opinion.

I have been playing and recording for 20+ years. While I have to say when this thing works it shows its a quality engineered product and I woudl love to say I am thrilled with it. For the money I paid and the AWOL service experience I have had recently with it. It's becoming a lemon.