Quote:   The STU is not meant to replace the Essence One, they are more of a lower priced DAC offering from ASUS.  Not sure why they are priced so close where you live. I just got one in and will be reviewing it if you are interested in having a look.

You will see many similarities in higher end gear as many companies follow similar design ideas and reference designs from the companies that make the DAC's opamps..etc.  Why reinvent the wheel when great sounding circuits are easy to find?

Of course the card or interface is important!  A cheap recording device will give you cheap results.  This is why recording studio use high end recording interfaces.  ASIO or others are important but the quality of the device is paramount in these cases.

Quote: Yes, push tme all the way down, gently.  Provided the contacts are connected, they can be sitting up a bit but most push the flush with teh socket.

Quote: What?  ASIO is meant to bypass and DSP or resampling.  Maybe that is the reaon it is having issues...who knows.

I have been getting tons of requests to compare the Stock version to the Muses Edition. 

Seems like a recording interface would give you exactly what you are after. 

Cannot be 100% sure but It should as ASIO4ALL, is not a real ASIO driver, it is actually a kernel streaming driver IIRC. -It is meant to offer these features to devices that do not support them natively. If you are using your system for studio and music production I would suggest getting rid...

The trouble may be with the cheaper units though you get a limitation of 48K.   What do you consider cheap?

Quote: When I mean modules, I just mean opamps put onto adapters PCB's for use in this soundcard. Although I am considering designing an add on PCB, so I can use opamps for the other channels that are SOIC's.

Quote: I think the cards runs great and have seen no issues.

Why don't you just get a converter, a unit that converts USB to S/Pdif output? You can find them all over the net.   I wouldn't buy a cheap external "soundcard" to send S/Pdif to an external DAC.

Quote: Tighten it up!  Sometimes items work loose during transport or whoever built it didn't tighten it enough! The ones I have tested, they are all tight, the only thing you can feel is the detents.   Wait, what is shifting a few mm, the knob itself or is it the POT?

Spent the day building some new opamps modules for use on the ZXR.  I will snap some pics when I have a chance...For those that are into modding their cards. I am also considering pulling the SOIC on the Cent/Sub and adding in a socket -somehow:)

Yes, it would be nice if you could get some modded drivers that allowed the feature set of the headphones to be avaialable on the line outs.

It is not optimal but it can be done.

There are many types of adapters for such tasks.  You can still use your ST.

Quote: I will try and explain simply from memory, different opamps in the circuit perform different tasks such as:   I/V -> Current(I) to Voltage(V) converters: DAC chips are current output components so they require a I/V conveter, some chips have this converter built in and others use...

Turntables are a bit different than gear such as CD player or Cassette deck as it requires a preamplifier.  Some TT's have built in preamps but I don't think your unit does. You cannot just connect up the TT without that preamp.  If you had a preamp, sure you can connect the TT to the Preamp...

Quote: You can go with a set of powered speakers like most set designed for PC usage or you can go with an external amplifier, passive bookshelf speakers and powered subwoofer.  However, that road will provide higher end sound quality but it is more expensive so we need an idea of your...

I wouldn't say it is a limitation as it was designed that way to keep the higer bit rates such as 96 and 196 prestine. That being said I can see how some might still want to use the EQ.   If you want to modify the sound anyway, WASAPI is a moot point so you can always use the EQ in the...

I use Foobar and Albumplayer, I would say there is no real "best music player" as everybody has their favorites based on features, I/O,,plugins...etc.  Try out the common players and find the one that works best for you.

Quote: Well no, as the ZXR is the top of their lineup so it would be considered a flagship product.  When you look at the Schiit lineup, their combo is entry level to their products.   Given the components used on both, I would probably take that bet.  However, as I said apples and...

Yes, and you are speaking of an entry level product offering entry level components and specs so, keep things in perspective.  You have a $99 DAC that has to support external operation, so much of the price is used on items not related to sound quality, chassis, controls,psu...etc.  As I said...

Why is that surprising? Compare the components used in both devices...DAC, Caps...etc.   The ZXR offers some pretty impressive output measurments for components quality and has excellent sound.  The Magni/Modi are entry level products. Apples and oranges here.  Don't assume external is...