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Xonar Essence STX: Sneak Peek! - Page 16

post #226 of 2057
1/5/09 at 7:23pm
Well i have to say this is turning out to be the best sound card i ever owned...Headphone amp section really starts to shine after a few hours of burn-in. A big thumbs-up to the Asus team who realized this little gem. Bravo!
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post #227 of 2057
1/5/09 at 7:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by fzman View Post
maybe you could use your clout and connections to find out specific numbers for current draw for both the 12v and 5v lines-- i think there are lots of us who want to buy the card specifically to able to run it via an outboard, high quality linear power supply.

thanks!!!
do you have any particular power supply model / manufacturer in mind?

i am also wondering how to syncro computer psu with external psu dedicated only to the card. i am not sure if powering the card earier or later than the computer woudnt make any damage.
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post #228 of 2057
1/5/09 at 8:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by limesinferior View Post
do you have any particular power supply model / manufacturer in mind?

i am also wondering how to syncro computer psu with external psu dedicated only to the card. i am not sure if powering the card earier or later than the computer woudnt make any damage.
i would build one -- i don;t think powering the card all the time would matter, but you could just have a switch and turn it on at the same time as the main psu.
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post #229 of 2057
1/5/09 at 8:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by zimmzio View Post
Well i have to say this is turning out to be the best sound card i ever owned...Headphone amp section really starts to shine after a few hours of burn-in. A big thumbs-up to the Asus team who realized this little gem. Bravo!
grr Can't wait till NCIX sends mine out.. onboard sound card just sucks!
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post #230 of 2057
1/5/09 at 9:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by limesinferior View Post
with full respect, quiet in what sense? this is a switch mode power supply so it generates among other things electronic noise, EMI and RFI produced due to the current being switched on and off sharply.
I'm curious to see how much of a difference using an outboard linear PWS would be. I don't know much about linear power supplies, but I think one would produce a more "natural" output waveform at least in theory, correct?

However, switching PWS's of sufficiently high quality have good enough shielding and cap filtering to drop EMI/RFI down to <10-20mV at the molex, which is pretty impressive. And isn't hum an issue with linear PWS's?


@zimmzio, I see you used to own an EMU 1212m. I know you sold it a while ago, but can you share any thoughts on how the STX sounds compared to your memory of the 1212?
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post #231 of 2057
1/6/09 at 2:35am
@ROBSCIX,

Hi,

I just have some more (very specific) questions about the Essense please, since I am going to need to replace my old Xonar pretty soon.

1. Does the equaliser in the ASUS driver appear to work in the same manner as that of the older Xonar? My guess is it most likely works exactly the same by the looks of things (same frequencies, same bands).

2. Does the SPDIF output transmit a true 24 bit, 192 Khz stereo PCM signal this time around? ASUS continually used to tell us that the older Xonar cards were capable of putting out a true 24 bit 192 Khz PCM stereo signal via the SPDIF output. Well, I have attached numerous recording devices (in sync) to my Xonar SPDIF output and blow me down if I have ever seen anything better than 16 bit, 96 Khz come out of it.

3. Does processed Dolby headphone output come out of the SPDIF output (PCM stereo?). The older Xonar could manage this, so you got Dolby headphone out of both the analogoue output and the SPDIF.

Thank you
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post #232 of 2057
1/6/09 at 4:05am
ok, I got my baby Xonar Essence today.
First impression, just like everone else --This thing is phenomenal. I've never enjoyed my headphone as good as today before.
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post #233 of 2057
1/6/09 at 6:45am
Hi, can anyone say how is this new soundcard compared to the emu 0404 usb
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post #234 of 2057
1/6/09 at 12:41pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ADD View Post
@ROBSCIX,

Hi,

I just have some more (very specific) questions about the Essense please, since I am going to need to replace my old Xonar pretty soon.

1. Does the equaliser in the ASUS driver appear to work in the same manner as that of the older Xonar? My guess is it most likely works exactly the same by the looks of things (same frequencies, same bands).
The EQ is the same across all Xonar cards, including this one.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ADD View Post
2. Does the SPDIF output transmit a true 24 bit, 192 Khz stereo PCM signal this time around? ASUS continually used to tell us that the older Xonar cards were capable of putting out a true 24 bit 192 Khz PCM stereo signal via the SPDIF output. Well, I have attached numerous recording devices (in sync) to my Xonar SPDIF output and blow me down if I have ever seen anything better than 16 bit, 96 Khz come out of it.
Afaik, it is a true 24/192 signal. Although I have never tested with any external gear. The chipset is capable of 24/192 and the DAC is also capable of 24/192 so I would say if you were having trouble perhaps it is a configuration error.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ADD View Post
3. Does processed Dolby headphone output come out of the SPDIF output (PCM stereo?). The older Xonar could manage this, so you got Dolby headphone out of both the analogoue output and the SPDIF.

Thank you
I have never tested both S/Pdif output and headphones at the same time. Based on the options I can set, I would say yes you can as you can leave DH on while using S/Pdif output so I would htink you can use the two together. Keep in mind, I have never tested this configuration out.
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post #235 of 2057
1/6/09 at 1:18pm
Thread Starter 
For those asking about the current draw for the Essence for a linear supply. It is about 20 Watts, usually less.
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post #236 of 2057
1/6/09 at 2:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alydon View Post
@zimmzio, I see you used to own an EMU 1212m. I know you sold it a while ago, but can you share any thoughts on how the STX sounds compared to your memory of the 1212?
Well i didn't listen to the STX's analog out section yet, I'm waiting for my amp to come back from servicing... the same amp i used with the 1212M w/HD595. But one thing is sure though, the STX is more dynamic and warm in character, the 1212M in comparison offers a very neutral presentation.

I must add that i found the 1212M to be lacking in definition and depth, the card is just not that articulate, instrument separation and contour is well... not good enough for me, it offers good tonal balance though, very natural sounding. I'll put it this way "Reference without the details" kind of deal.

*EDIT*
This is not a comparative opinion btw, its based on my personal preferences and standards. The 1212M was just not good enough in resolving details for me, and i couldn't live with that anymore... kind of smeared them actually.

*EDIT*
One last thing here that i feel i must say is that I'm not saying the STX is "Reference Material" either... A little to warm for that I'm afraid(not in a bad way though, its very musical, well just like Robscix said i think... Very "Full Sound"). I'll have a better idea after Ive listen to it through my amp.

*EDIT*
Also I'm thinking of buying new headphones. AKG K701, K240MKII or BeyerDynamic DT990, dunno which yet, any suggestions? I have to experiment a little.
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post #237 of 2057
1/6/09 at 3:47pm
Anyone else who has one have the same problem as me with the blue screen? To test go to Start -> Run -> dxdiag and see if it blue screens anywhere. Trying to figure out if it's the card or my setup or what.
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post #238 of 2057
1/6/09 at 4:29pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcegan View Post
Anyone else who has one have the same problem as me with the blue screen? To test go to Start -> Run -> dxdiag and see if it blue screens anywhere. Trying to figure out if it's the card or my setup or what.
Dxdiag works fine on my system. Pull the card and run dxdiag and see it is still happens. Try updating your Direct X.
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post #239 of 2057
1/6/09 at 4:56pm
Yeah I have tried that. It works fine without it in, saying that there is no sound card inserted. Have also tried putting it in a different slot. I've tried everything I can think of. I have even reinstalled windows several times, changing the order in which I installed the chipset drivers and sound drivers. Just don't know what else it can be except for a motherboard incompatibility.

On another note, this being my first non onboard sound, I have a sort of newb question. I know this is kind of subjective and depends on your headphones (I have hd555) but do you find that you need to change the equalizer at all, or do you feel that it sounds best left alone?
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post #240 of 2057
1/6/09 at 7:06pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcegan View Post
Yeah I have tried that. It works fine without it in, saying that there is no sound card inserted. Have also tried putting it in a different slot. I've tried everything I can think of. I have even reinstalled windows several times, changing the order in which I installed the chipset drivers and sound drivers. Just don't know what else it can be except for a motherboard incompatibility.

On another note, this being my first non onboard sound, I have a sort of newb question. I know this is kind of subjective and depends on your headphones (I have hd555) but do you find that you need to change the equalizer at all, or do you feel that it sounds best left alone?
You have updated your DX? Some like to use the EQ and some do not. All personal taste. Many use EQ to balance out there response on speakers or headphones. I wouldn't relay too much on the presets, although you can use them as guidelines. Adjust the EQ to get the best sound for you and your gear. That may be no adjustment or alot....
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