Hi guys 
I would like to ask for advice regarding the ASUS soundcards from their Xonar series! I've read a lot of reviews about the ASUS Xonar Essence STX and the newer ASUS Xonar Essence ST (+ Xonar H6 addon card) on the internet, including the posts here on Headphonic forums, but still there are some aspects that I would've liked to have been made more clear, especially regarding the music experience with these two sound-cards of the same series!
So, at home I use for the most of the time headphones on my PC (brand Audio-Technica, open canes model ATH-AD900), mainly for music listening and some movies. So far from my online study I've learned that the main differences between the two ASUS models are the bus PCI type of connectivity and the fact that ST permits the upgrade for a 7.1 surround system with its dedicated H6 add-on, plus the fact that the jitter is approx. 31% lesser with ST than with other sound-card models. Since I'm not really in need for the 7.1 option right now, as I already have a 5.1 Home Theater System in our living-room, this isn't such a demanding factor into the equation and, besides that, the bus connectivity will also play a second role in this as I'll look for a motherboard depending on which model I'll decide, based on your advice, to buy for my new desktop PC configuration. Not to mention that from what I've gathered in the reviews regarding the ST model, the jitter is still under the human audible threshold.
The only thing that truly interests me in this moment is the listening experience when it comes to music regarding the STX and ST models. And I am still not sure, from what I've already read on the Internet about this issue, which one brings more fidelity and clarity into the sound, or a better impedance, warmth and detailed soundstage, given the fact that I'll use it with my pair of ATH-AD900 headphones. My listening spectrum of music that I enjoy is very large (pop, rock, metal, classical, trance, dance, electro, jazz, folk, world etc.), but I must admit that metal music is the most important part of my collection and of my listening habits.
So, which of the two models is actually better, purely from a music listening point of view? Some of you probably got the chance to test them both by now!
P.S.: Btw, does any of you have any information regarding a possible new ASUS soundcard model dedicated to audiophiles (possibly in the Xonos series) to appear in the near future? I've checked on the Internet, but I've found nothing conclusive till now.
Thanx a lot in advance for any help!
Cheers,
Julius.
