A local dealer offered me to audition the new Asus Xonar Essence One (not Muses Edition, the cheaper version). I wonder how it would score against a Compass 2. They are both in the 400-500€ price range, the XOE offer balanced XLR (and I plan on buying active speakers) so it looks like a serious...

I would not get enough from the STX. 80€ max and a new DX would cost 65 so except if I find one second hand, it is not worth selling the STX.   You seems to own some high impedance headphones according to your signature : so why not the compass and its stronger headphone output ?

Hi everyone.   I was about to post this in the Compass 2 impressions thread but according to the welcome pm I received, this is here I should post. So I hope this is correct ...   I currently have this setup : Source : Asus Xonar Essence STX > Amp : Bravo Ocean > Headphones : Audio Technica...