Amps & DACs
HeadRoom Total BitHead
Dramatically improve headphone listening on your laptop or home computer with this very cool USB headphone amp. Plug the BitHead into the USB port and digital audio is automatically routed out of the noisy environs of your computer to be converted by the superior digital to analog converter (DAC) of the BitHead. The BitHead can be USB powered or run on 4 AAA batteries; includes HeadRoom's famous crossfeed for better headphone imaging; and has a gain switch to better match you headphone efficiency. The BitHead can also be used as a stand-alone headphone amp with your portable player or other audio source.
Product Features:
- Significantly improves your listening experience with good headphones and your computer.
- Delivers greatly improved bass control and impact, and more articulate high frequencies.
- Improves headphone imaging with HeadRoom's famous crossfeed circuit.
- Gain switch optimizes amplifier gain for headphones of different efficiencies.
- Runs 20 + hours on four AAA batteries.
What's In The Box:
- 12" mini-mini cable (1/8" connectors)
- 12" USB cable
- Rubber feet for BitHead
- Assorted Velcoins for BitHead
- Owner's manual
Applications:
The HeadRoom BitHead is a perfect entry-level headphone amplifier to use with your computer, iPod, or portable player and high-quality headphones. You'll hear the bass tighten up, the highs become clean and articulate, and the all the music in between will sound much more coherent, detailed, and liquid. The BitHead can be used two ways: with the USB output of any computer; or as a battery powered headphone amp to improve your iPod, Mp3 player, portable DVD/CD player, or other portable audio device.
The BitHead is sort of like a soundcard for your computer and any headphones. You'll find the sound quality vastly improved employing the better digital-to-analog converter (DAC) of the BitHead, and having the digital conversion and the analog electronics that drive your headphones done outside the noisy environment of the computer hard-drive. Simply plug the USB output of your desktop, laptop, or notebook computer running Apple, Windows, or Linux operating systems into the Bithead---most computers will automatically recognize the BitHead as its audio output---then plug in your headphones, play some music, and enjoy. Your computer may now become one of your favorite ways to listen.
The BitHead can also run on four [4] AAA batteries to drive your quality headphones and amplify the signal from the headphone output (or line-out) of your iPod, Mp3, or portable player. The BitHead will power your headphones with much greater musical authority and clarity, and will isolate the player's wimpy output amp & power supplies from the complex load of the headphones. The BitHead will allow both your headphones and your portable player to sound audibly better. (If you're not interested in using this amp with a computer, then check out our Total AirHead amp.)
The BitHead has two headphone jacks so both you & a friend can listen at the same time. The HeadRoom Crossfeed switch improves stereo imaging to make your headphones sound better and more like speakers. You'll also find a little high/low gain switch inside the battery compartment that allows a perfect match between the BitHead unit and headphones or earphones of any impedance rating. It also features a rotary volume control on the front panel and has internal room for 4 'AAA' batteries that can power the BitHead for well over 30 hours, depending on the headphones and listening volume. Batteries are NOT included.
Please consult the HeadRoom BitHead manual and our BitHead FAQ [Frequently Asked Questions] for more in-depth information on the unit!
Included:
Specifications:
- Amplifier Group: The Mobile Line
- Frequency Response: 20–20k, ±1
- THD at 1V output: <.01
- Input Impedance at 1kHz (ohms): 18k
- Amplifier Type: Portable Amps
Additional Resources:
- Product Manuals
- The BitHead Manual
- Product Info
- BitHead FAQ's
- 2006 Mobile Line Pres Sheet
- Product Reviews
- Positive Feedback Online John Brazier 2004
- Crunchgear.com Mike Kobrin Apr 07
- onheadphones.com Total BitHead review
- Audio Ideas. Aaron Marshall Feb 07
- SoundStage! John Crossett Oct 06
- Anything But Ipod Grahm Skee December 2006
- PCWorld, Tom Mainelli November 2006
- 6moons.com Srajan Ebaen July 2004
- dansdata.com August 2004
- Rhino Gadget review Patrick Goddard
- Stereophile Magazine Michael Fremer December 2004
- Goodsound! Eric Hetherington August 2004
- techpowerup.com Fredrik Skovgaard Feb 08
- Customer Comments
- Customer Comments
Average Rating
Posted by Fester from Sydney, Australia on 2010-03-17
Recommend Product: Yes
Pros: Portable, good sound, reasonable price, linux friendly
Cons: Piss poor usb cable length!
The biggest downside is the short length of the USB cable. On one of my computers the unit would be dangling in mid-air because the cable is too short to rest it anywhere.
Fortunately I had a 3ft lead lying around so I can now control the unit from my desk without having to bend over to reach it.
Apart from the above glitch it's a great addition to my stereo gear.
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Posted by Snozzwangler from Berkeley, CA on 2010-02-16
Recommend Product: Yes
Pros: Both an amp and a DAC, good entry level amp/DAC, good price, good sound quality, portable, USB input
Cons: Switches aren't labeled, comes with very short cables
Ease of use: It is very simple to use, just plug it in/switch it on, and you're good to go. I did have problems while trying it out with my desktop that runs on Windows Vista, but it worked fine with my laptop which runs on XP, as well as my friend's mac, so I assume it's just a problem with Vista.
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Posted by MGrewe from Minneapolis, MN on 2010-02-15
Recommend Product: No
Pros: DAC built in, small, USB input
Cons: Expensive
The sound leaves the listener wanting more. It is not extremely detailed, the midrange isn't that smooth, and the soundstage isn't big. It gets the job done though and it is much better than nothing.
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