DI vs amp headphone/XLR output

[shal1234]

What would be better for recording into an interface and why:
1. DI (active or not?)
2. Amp headphone output
3. Amp XLR output

 

[BazzTard]

if it's a decent interface go straight into it. It should have a high impedence input.

 

[EastCoastThump]

The one sounds better (and more like the sound you're trying to get), which will depend on your gear. (As BazzTard says, straight in to a hi-Z input is also an option, as is using a cab mic, a channel strip, or an instrument pre-amp.)

The least likely path to sound best is the amp's headphone out. Beyond that, it's hard to generalize or even to discuss meaningfully without reference to voltage, impedance, balanced cabling, ground lift, DI design, and pre/post switching.

 

[Bassist30]

What interface are you using. Analog inputs, digitally controlled analog mic preamps, balanced line inputs, it all matters.