[idkwho]

Hi I've seen a previous thread in Head-Fi about Asus Essence STX being modified and 'degraded' in sound quality because of capacitors/op amps being swapped for cheaper ones.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/662886/xonar-essence-stx-fake
 
I was thinking of buying a used Asus essence STX and therefore hesitant as there are chances that someone may have bought the same Asus Essence STX card from fp-outlet which are circulating between potentially many owners. 
 
I've read some ways to see if the card is legit is from the colour of the capacitors:
 
Apparently the ones with violet around them are real like these:
http://www.pcbit.ro/media/product_imagini/-placa-de-sunet-asus-xonar-essence-stx-1.JPG
 
http://content.hwigroup.net/images/products/xl/058289/asus_xonar_essence_stx.jpg
 
http://www.ixbt.com/multimedia/asus/stx/image1b.jpg
 
However, this is a picture from the ASUS official website:
https://www.asus.com/media/global/products/zCDHPnfR1jymHK2f/P_500.jpg
 
and one from Technic 3D:
http://www.technic3d.com/article/pics/1312/ASUS_Xonar_Essence_STX.jpg
 
These are the ones from fp-outlet:
http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a625/Eagle1123/IMG_1088_zpsc0e7ca4c.jpg
http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a625/Eagle1123/IMG_1087_zps06c1a973.jpg
http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a625/Eagle1123/IMG_1084_zpsb47541ae.jpg
http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a625/Eagle1123/IMG_1085_zps21464167.jpg
 
So question is how do I distinguish if the Asus Essence STX is unmodified?

 

[PurpleAngel]

If you do not trust the seller FP_outlet, then maybe buy someplace else.
The picture on the Asus website might be the original design and the one on the fp_outlet might be a later revision (Rev 1.02).

 

[Gradius]

Just a different release/revision.
 
I have the 1st one.

 

[idkwho]

  If you do not trust the seller FP_outlet, then maybe buy someplace else.
The picture on the Asus website might be the original design and the one on the fp_outlet might be a later revision (Rev 1.02).

I'm trying to buy them used on ebay but worried the seller may have one that was bought used from another seller etc it may have originated from fp outlet.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  I'm trying to buy them used on eBay but worried the seller may have one that was bought used from another seller etc it may have originated from fp outlet.

Everythings a risk.
Here is a good deal ($125) on a used Essence STX and it has upgraded op-amps.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Xonar-Essence-STX-124dB-SNR-Headphone-Amp-with-Upgraded-Op-Amps-/331079943123?pt=US_Sound_Cards_Internal_&hash=item4d15e703d3
 
Another used one (with stock op-amps?) for $130+$8 shipping.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ASUSTeK-COMPUTER-PCI-XONAR-ESSENCE-STX-Sound-Card-/231105974023?pt=US_Sound_Cards_Internal_&hash=item35cefd4f07