The Xonar Essence STX Q/A, tweaking, impressions thread
Oct 8, 2015 at 9:04 AM Post #5,179 of 5,722
I came from a world of $2000 CD and Universal players.  Using a computer as a source is huge bargain by comparison.  Some of the best players I've experienced have used the OPA627 in the analog output stage and Burr Brown Dacs.  I'm really excited to be able to get the sonic signature I'm after for the cost of the Xonar STX and the OPA627 op amps.
 
It wasn't until I discovered JRiver that I realized a computer can make music that rivals high end CD players!
 
Oct 10, 2015 at 10:42 AM Post #5,180 of 5,722
  Hi,
 
can i get some assistance here? :)
i have issue with DPC, constant is around 600-1000, sometimes  he hold 1000 sometimes 600 ..
i saw that others have under 50 ..
 
What i can do to decrease it?
 
p.s: using latest asus-xonar-unified-drivers on windows 10 64bit (also test DPC without driver and it is same).
switching hpet on/off did not change situation...
 
latencymon on drivers:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/tzhbdx09z5be85v/latency.PNG?dl=0
 
 
and jriver from time to time just crash (using over asio driver) and jriver is default playback device on windows.

i found the cause!
I have on my mobo EIST (Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology) option which make constant latency of DPC, when i turn that off, seems that computer runs better and latency is under 10!!
Also jriver now working great, without issues which i was have!
https://www.dropbox.com/s/68vvfds70l9o1uh/latency2.jpg?dl=0
 
Oct 13, 2015 at 1:37 AM Post #5,181 of 5,722
  i found the cause!
I have on my mobo EIST (Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology) option which make constant latency of DPC, when i turn that off, seems that computer runs better and latency is under 10!!
Also jriver now working great, without issues which i was have!
https://www.dropbox.com/s/68vvfds70l9o1uh/latency2.jpg?dl=0

Yup speedstep likes to introduce a lot of latency at low clocks.
 
Oct 13, 2015 at 10:19 PM Post #5,182 of 5,722
  Just came here to say that I just put 2 Burson Supreme Sound Opamps in the I/V and a MUSES02 in the buffer... WOW! Everything is perfect. Just keep in mind that you'll need some extensions because these things are huge. luckily Burson offers extensions that you can purchase separately.
 
http://www.bursonaudio.com/products/discrete-opamp/

 
Thank you for your kind feedback.  We have just introduced a “not so” huge V5 SS OPA.  It is 30% smaller and requires 3 times less current, which means it suits the STX perfectly.  http://www.bursonaudio.com/products/supreme-sound-opamp-v5/ please feel free to contact us on or off HF if you have any questions. : )
 

 
Burson Audio Stay updated on Burson Audio at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://www.facebook.com/BursonAudio https://twitter.com/bursonaudio http://www.bursonaudio.com/products/
Oct 19, 2015 at 9:23 AM Post #5,183 of 5,722
Greetings. Today I modified my STX by upgrading the four 2700 pF caps in the LP filter to WIMA FPK and, while I was in there, changing out the LM4562 and 2114D for 3x NE5532A.
 

 
To my ears the TI NE5532A sounds as a good as any op amp for these kinds of low impedance, low gain applications. Warm, rich, lush. Did not disappoint me in the STX: Truly the comfy chair of op amps. There are cleaner-sounding op amps out there, probably more spacious-sounding op amps out there too, but NE5532/4 brings me my music the way I like it: dark and just a little smoky.
 
LM4562 and 2114D in comparison sound thin to the point of skeletal.
 
Oct 19, 2015 at 11:40 AM Post #5,184 of 5,722
Hi rjm003, 
 
can you explain little more what you done exactly?
because i found this chip with ok price, maybe i would upgrade my STX :)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NE5532-NE5532A-Low-noise-dual-opamp-TRUE-TI-from-USA-genuine-avoid-Asian-fakes-/181902399601?hash=item2a5a3a5871:g:VvcAAOSwA4dWHbCD
 
tnx.
 
Oct 19, 2015 at 7:32 PM Post #5,185 of 5,722
Sure, let me give it a shot.
 
Here's the stock board with the cover off,
 

 
The three socketed 8 pin op amps for the I-V stage and output stage are visible top left. Zooming in,
 

 
The I-V stage is to the right, two JRC2114D shown. The output differential-single converter / low pass filter is the LM4562 at left. It has four 2n7 (2700pF) caps around it, the small white rectangles right next to the op amp marked 2n7J400. Those caps are not bypass caps, but rather the low pass filter. The circuit is almost certainly based on the one in the PCM1792A datasheet,
 

 
So, apart from removing the stock op amps and replacing them with NE5532A (mouser part number 595-NE5532AP) I desoldered the four caps and replaced them with WIMA FKP (mouser part number FKP2D012701D00HA00).
 

 
Oct 20, 2015 at 5:16 AM Post #5,186 of 5,722
Great, it`s clear! :)
just confirm me are this what i need?
4x
http://www.ebay.com/itm/10pcs-WIMA-FKP2-2700P-2700PF-2-7nF-2-7nF-100V-2-5-pich-5mm-Capacitor-/151254779255?hash=item23377cc577:m:mC0U9x6PxzCGcFWuSLWnA9A
3x
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TEXAS-INSTRUMENTS-NE5532AP-OP-AMP-DUAL-LOW-NOISE-5532-/271305187078?hash=item3f2b0c9f06:m:mLYAmmERqht4m1si2Qb_ytQ
 
?
 
thank you!
 
Oct 20, 2015 at 7:35 AM Post #5,187 of 5,722
Yes, those should do.
 
By the way, about the NE5532/4, it's worth noting that these are recommended by default in the datasheet for the IV stage as being guaranteed to reproduce the datasheet performance figures for the DAC. Don't let the low price put you off, they are very good for general purpose audio.
 
Oct 20, 2015 at 9:49 AM Post #5,189 of 5,722
thank you rjm003! i ordered and when i set i will write my impression.
 
Lucianpescaru, thank you for ebay notice! i did not saw 10pcs :)
I will try your recommendation if i am not satisfied with NE5532.
 
Oct 21, 2015 at 12:21 AM Post #5,190 of 5,722

 
After following your discussions here I have decided to also get my hands on a Xonar Essence STX sound card.   Out of the box, I am really impressed by the built quality and performance of this sound card.  I have since done the V5 SS opamp mod and found its sound changed in interesting ways. 
 
I know there are so many other mods and each pushes the performance of the STX from different angles.   I hope to attempt them down the track and I am also open to any suggestions. 
Here is the link to the mod page: : ) http://www.bursonaudio.com/asus-xonar-essence-stx-upgraded-with-supreme-sound-v5-op-amps/
 
Burson Audio Stay updated on Burson Audio at their sponsor profile on Head-Fi.
 
https://www.facebook.com/BursonAudio https://twitter.com/bursonaudio http://www.bursonaudio.com/products/

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