Mercuttio
Key Conspirator in the Quest to Murder Music
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2005
- Posts
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A few months ago, I snagged one of the new Total Bitheads. I've used it every day since, and I must say... I can't imagine life without it now. At first I thought it was just "new equipment love" syndrome, but I've been using it for a while and that whole phase has probably passed.
It is, funny enough my first portable amp, but I did borrow an AE-1 and SR-71 before. I liked both of them and I'd give the overall edge to the SR-71 because it had a better punch and the highs weren't rolled off as they were on the AE-1. I didn't really like either enough to justify a purchase though.
I was lucky enough to get the Bithead on the cheap for doing some Head-Fi community service, and let me say... I'd buy one each month if I had to at full price. Using an iPod line out of my 5G iPod, I'm completely satisfied with it. I've even turned down attempts by certain individuals to mod it. The overal signature is really pretty smooth and unobtrusive; I don't get that "There's an amp coloring this" feeling that I did with the Hornet (which I did not care for). The highs are a little tipped, but in an incredibly pleasurable way. It isn't the fastest amp, but it certainly isn't slow. The difference is significant enough that I don't even listen to my SR60s directly out of the iPod anymore... my ears demand the separation and clarity that the Bithead has been providing.
This fall I'll be spending a lot more time in a computer lab at grad school, and I'm excited to give it a full test as a DAC. I haven't really come to any conclusions about it as a DAC yet... the tests I did with it at first seemed pleasurable, but I haven't listened long enough to form a real idea of what it does.
The only real bummer about it is the usage of AAA batteries. I'd love to use rechargables, but haven't heard anything good about them. One set of batteries seems to last me two weeks or so of normal usage, but I'd much prefer plugging it into a wall to charge. Oh well.
It is, funny enough my first portable amp, but I did borrow an AE-1 and SR-71 before. I liked both of them and I'd give the overall edge to the SR-71 because it had a better punch and the highs weren't rolled off as they were on the AE-1. I didn't really like either enough to justify a purchase though.
I was lucky enough to get the Bithead on the cheap for doing some Head-Fi community service, and let me say... I'd buy one each month if I had to at full price. Using an iPod line out of my 5G iPod, I'm completely satisfied with it. I've even turned down attempts by certain individuals to mod it. The overal signature is really pretty smooth and unobtrusive; I don't get that "There's an amp coloring this" feeling that I did with the Hornet (which I did not care for). The highs are a little tipped, but in an incredibly pleasurable way. It isn't the fastest amp, but it certainly isn't slow. The difference is significant enough that I don't even listen to my SR60s directly out of the iPod anymore... my ears demand the separation and clarity that the Bithead has been providing.
This fall I'll be spending a lot more time in a computer lab at grad school, and I'm excited to give it a full test as a DAC. I haven't really come to any conclusions about it as a DAC yet... the tests I did with it at first seemed pleasurable, but I haven't listened long enough to form a real idea of what it does.
The only real bummer about it is the usage of AAA batteries. I'd love to use rechargables, but haven't heard anything good about them. One set of batteries seems to last me two weeks or so of normal usage, but I'd much prefer plugging it into a wall to charge. Oh well.