[hardbop]

I've started searching for a headphone for classical, jazz and acoustic music, but I need an amp to go along with it. I started with the ER-4Ps, which are on order, but I'm also looking at several other headphones. I'll be auditioning them one by one, however I don't know what to do for an amp.

I'm looking into the Xin SuperMacro, the Total Bithead or possibly the SR-71. Since it is highly unlikely that I'll be able to try out the headphones and amps in any sort of combination, I think I may just pick one without trying any of them first. I'm leaning towards the Bithead because of the convenience of the USB connection.

What I would like to know is if these three amps are comparable, performance wise. Since I don't know which headphone I'll end up with, it's hard to match an amp with them. Do the extra features of the Total Bithead sacrifice too much in the way of sound quality?

 

[elrod-tom]

I've not heard the Xin amp, so I really can't comment on that.

I've heard the SR-71 a lot, and I think that it's a damn fine amp. Of the two that I have heard, the SR-71 is IMHO a vastly superior amp in terms of sonics. But then again, it should be...it's significantly costlier than the Total BitHead, and doesn't have the built-in DAC. The two are pretty different products, really.

I own a Total BitHead, and up until I purchased my Coda/Overture combo, I used it extensively in my work rig. I find that if I'm listening to music for any length of time (more than a couple of hours) that crossfeed is very important to me. This was the thing that I found most appealing about the Total BitHead.

How does it sound? Like I said, it's not the equal of the SR-71. It's pretty good for what it is, however...a portable headphone amp with crossfeed and a USB input and on-board DAC. Those two other features are a pretty big deal IMHO.

You won't go wrong with either IMHO...but you need to decide whether the extra features are worth it to you.

 

[gremlin]

I'm just down the road from headphone.com. I'd be glad to run down a pick up your bithead and 'try it out' for you!

 

[markmaxx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hardbop I've started searching for a headphone for classical, jazz and acoustic music, but I need an amp to go along with it. I started with the ER-4Ps, which are on order, but I'm also looking at several other headphones. I'll be auditioning them one by one, however I don't know what to do for an amp. I'm looking into the Xin SuperMacro, the Total Bithead or possibly the SR-71. Since it is highly unlikely that I'll be able to try out the headphones and amps in any sort of combination, I think I may just pick one without trying any of them first. I'm leaning towards the Bithead because of the convenience of the USB connection. What I would like to know is if these three amps are comparable, performance wise. Since I don't know which headphone I'll end up with, it's hard to match an amp with them. Do the extra features of the Total Bithead sacrifice too much in the way of sound quality?

You can audition the amps. just like the headphones. I had a Total Bithead from headroom and sent it back and they were very nice about it and said they had something coming soon that would replace the Total Bithead.

I also have the SR-71 and it is better sounding (than the Total Bithead) to me if only because with the ER 4P's I could hear an anoying hiss and with the SR-71 no hiss.

I like the ER 4P headphones they may take a while to get use too them in your ears but in my opinion they are worth the trouble! good luck.

 

[cpw]

Quote:

Originally Posted by elrod-tom I've not heard the Xin amp, so I really can't comment on that. I've heard the SR-71 a lot, and I think that it's a damn fine amp. Of the two that I have heard, the SR-71 is IMHO a vastly superior amp in terms of sonics. But then again, it should be...it's significantly costlier than the Total BitHead, and doesn't have the built-in DAC. The two are pretty different products, really. I own a Total BitHead, and up until I purchased my Coda/Overture combo, I used it extensively in my work rig. I find that if I'm listening to music for any length of time (more than a couple of hours) that crossfeed is very important to me. This was the thing that I found most appealing about the Total BitHead. How does it sound? Like I said, it's not the equal of the SR-71. It's pretty good for what it is, however...a portable headphone amp with crossfeed and a USB input and on-board DAC. Those two other features are a pretty big deal IMHO. You won't go wrong with either IMHO...but you need to decide whether the extra features are worth it to you.

Listen to E.T.!
My thoughts exactly.
I like my TBH mainly because of what it does for my laptop. If I just had my iPod, I'd buy an SR-71 in an instant. It sounds lots better. I travel w/ laptop and iPod w/ iPod mainly in the air and on the go, laptop mainly in the office and in my hotel room.
Just can't justify two portables at the moment. TBH DAC is key to me. SR-71 kicks ass on purely sonic merits.
CPW

 

[markmaxx]

cpw Hi. I am new to Head-Fi so let me say good to meet you. also I am still not that good at ab ing products so I ask these questions for my musical education, please keep this in mind and Happy Easter

When I had my TBH. hooked my Toshiba laptop’s USB. Port and hooked to my ER 4P headphones there was a significant difference in the sound quality for sure. Louder and fuller. But what I started with was so bad that the end result was still not that great.

So the overall quality of the Laptop>TBH>ER 4P was still poor, less than, the quality of my iRiver flash player or my 2 vintage PCD, players or my 2001 PCDP Sony D-JE?? I could look but my wife is still sleeping.(all the above from the headphone out and no amp.)

So my question is?.. do you find a significant difference in the sound when you hook up the TBD to anything other than an anemic computer? And then in your opinion is the sound from the computer TBH. Combo, worthy of the $300.00 investment? That’s a no from me.

The SR-71 is not that much of an improvement over the headphone out of my vintage CD. players so I don't see how you guys with all the cool headphone equipment can recommend such a borderline product as the Totalbithead?

Let me explain;...with your good sources and good amps. in your profiles comparing the total bithead to those, the TBH must sound pretty bad.

Like if you drove a BMW every day to work and on the weekend would you would drive a Ford Escort to the coffee shop to read the paper and relax?

And then recommend the Escort. If this guy can afford the extra $100.00 I would say go for the SR-71 (the BMW of portable amps. in my opinion). He already said he has $200.00 headphones ordered and they will not make that TBH sound any better as they are very reveling.

 

[cpw]

Quote:

Originally Posted by markmaxx When I had my TBH. hooked my Toshiba laptop’s USB. Port and hooked to my ER 4P headphones there was a significant difference in the sound quality for sure. Louder and fuller. But what I started with was so bad that the end result was still not that great. So the overall quality of the Laptop>TBH>ER 4P was still poor, less than, the quality of my iRiver flash player or my 2 vintage PCD, players or my 2001 PCDP Sony D-JE?? I could look but my wife is still sleeping.(all the above from the headphone out and no amp.)

I also have Etys and IMO you would only really reap the benefits of the TBH (or the SR-71) if you use the Ety P/S converter. I'm surprised that you're not experiencing an increase in hiss/noise w/ an amp and the 4P. The 4P is designed to be driven by portables not amps.
I do use my TBH other than with my laptop; I use it with my iPod and a SIK Imp or Pocket Dock which allows me to get a line level out from the iPod. This setup with my ER4S sounds much better to my ears than the ER4P driven directly from my iPod. The headphone out from my laptop sounds pretty lousy no matter what I do with it. All this is somewhat relative. I still think my ER4P driven by the iPod sounds pretty darn good. I do still continue to travel with my TBH, ER4 P/S converter and my line out device. I feel the sound improvement is worth lugging the extra gear. I do however sometimes go "commando" and run the 4P out of my iPod direct when I'm on the move.
IMO, you need to invest in the P/S converter to be able to realize the full potential of the gear (amps) we're discussing.
Hope this helps and Happy Easter.
CPW

 

[markmaxx]

cpw Thank you for your advice.

I have been thinking of trying the P to S converter, I was hoping to try one at the DC. meet this Saturday. I can't wait.

 

[Tyll Hertsens]

Quote:

Originally Posted by markmaxx I had a Total Bithead from headroom and sent it back and they were very nice about it and said they had something coming soon that would replace the Total Bithead.

Just wanted to stop missinformation. There is nothing coming out shortly to replace the BitHead. There will be some products similar to the Coda/Overture in addition to the BitHead.

 

[robk]

You should seriously consider the SM3 if you are going with the ER-4Ps. Getting the 4 feature switches gives you the P/S conversion. It has a Xfeed switch, and though it sounds like you don't need it, it has a bass boost switch.

I got my SM3 yesterday, and have spent a bit of time with it, and have replaced the stock opamps with OPA637BPs, and this thing is increadible. Xin has a 30 day satisfaction guarantee as well, so you can return it if you are not happy.

rob