How's the BitHead?

[Aar0n]

I'm planning to upgrade my audio setup, and I my checklist includes a better sound card for my PC and a headphone amp. I was considering getting the BitHead or Total BitHead to kill two birds with one stone, but I was curious as to the BitHead's quality as a sound card.
It's not going to be effected by internal interference, which is good, but I'm sort of dubious as to whether or not the USB interface is conducive to a good audio device. Can someone enlighten me?

 

[MaloS]

One of the preferred sources around here for $200. I personally believe there are better options depending on what headphone you are going to use and if the source is a desktop/laptop and if you need portability. =]

 

[svines]

how does total bithead do with MS1? Is there another DAC and AMP option for about $200 that works better?

 

[cooperpwc]

Bithead and Total Bithead are now the same thing. There used to be different quality versions. Now it's all Total Bithead (which people sometimes call the Bithead for short).

The total Bithead is a good little unit. You can also look at the EMU 404 USB but it's a different animal. It's really a USB peripheral - it doesn't double as a portable amp like the Bithead. SQ is meant to be good though. Don't know if it has as much gain as the Bithead but unlike the Bithead, it can be used properly as a DAC for use with a future amp upgrade.

If you're willing to spend a bit more, the Meier Porta Corda is meant to be very nice. (Note that of the above, I have only heard the Total Bithead which I own; the rest is hearsay.)