Xonar Essence ST Sneak Peek - Page 9

a wild guess would be that C-Media constantly updates its CMI8788 drivers, gets them WHQL certified...and gives them to its OEM customers(Asus/Auzentech/Razer/HT Omega/etc), who then release them within their own package.

the Windows WDM device drivers are not from Asus(they only did the ugly sluggish GUI), and the ST drivers work just fine on the STX and the D2X, and all the other Xonar cards....and I'd dare to say that the SQ has improved, if not identical.

it's like Sapphire(and the likes) repackaging the generic ATi drivers

Maybe I should whine to C-Media to get "automatic samplerate" after all, as this needs to be implemented in the WDM system drivers in the first place.

PS: damn I'm listening to the 32bit remastered BEST OF from Barry White, the STX really gives a mind blowing SQ(w/ 3x49720HA and the latest ST drivers)

Sounds like the ST is your favorit Robscix

well I'm still interested in the Claro Halo tbh...maybe it's got bit-matched drivers for a change?

but the ST is definitely on top of my buying list

BTW, I've read Uncle_Erik bashing the STX and saying that "the STX can only output 140 mW at max when a real amp can output 1W" and this guy saying that it can only output 2Vrms max(a major issue for high impedance phones) : http://www.head-fi.org/forums/5716008-post75.html

so I've asked the xbitlabs guys

here's their answer : X-bit labs - Discussion on article Two in One: Asus Xonar Essence STX Sound Card Review

so maybe ppl should actually stop bashing the damn thing, and try/measure it

By the way i will order one becouse thats what i'am waiting for 7.1 chanel plus headphone amp. i still have 1 daughter board from my Xonar deluxe card. I hope it will work together since Asus delays the daughter board.

do we have any word of how much more/less the st is going to be yet? and how much its going to be to get the daughter board since they said it needs to be purchased seperately

identifying the ST and STX using the same drivers revision in a DBT using headphones would -theoritically- be next to impossible.

in a perfectly controlled room w/ killer speakers, it should be audible w/ a bit of concentration....again noone can hear 100ns jitter, let alone the much lower levels the STX is outputting
it's slightly more expensive, check the link I posted

Yes i know and i won't say anything wrong but it sounds like you are impressed over the ST. I know as well your position on testing many sound cards. I thing you did a good job on that.
Do you have any further impression on Burson OP?

Thank's for your impression. I still think about the Burson and beneficial of his smaler size to upgrade it with my LT1364 for the ST.

What is your meaning about the different Audio-GD units Earth, moon, sun, Sun2. What will be the best chois of them?