I use an Antec Signature 650 PSU (the best you can buy for power quality, in theory), and tried powering my Tripath TA2020 amp (with its line-in unconnected) from it (the +12V and ground on its own molex cable) while it simultaneously powers the PC. There is to my disappointment a lot of noise...

Just a DIY job, using a stepped ladder attenuator.

Hi, I'm wanting to use a completely passive preamplifier (just a stepped attenuator), but to do so I'd need a low enough line out impedance from the Asus Xonar Essence STX line out. Does anyone know the impedance of the STX line out? Thank you very much if anyone can tell me this...

It shows full volume, ie in the red bit. I'm quite sure it's faulty, and I'll send it back. Thanks for the help

It seems that the volume slider in PatchMix is like a wave slider, so I think that I need to find out how to change the master slider for the card. If I can't find a way, I'll send it back, because it seems that others don't have any line out volume issues Asmo - I've compared it to my analog...

Thanks for the reply. It sounds around 25dB quieter than when I run it digitally to my receiver. I'm pretty sure that something's wrong, but I want to explore all possibilities first before sending it back for a replacement My onboard sound, when master and wave sliders are set to max, sounds...

I want to use the line out of the EMU0404 to connect it to my hifi, but the master volume and wave volume sliders in Windows XP are grayed out. Compared to any other source I've tried, including my motherboard integrated audio, it's really quiet. Is there a way to overcome this to get the full...

I've tried loads of DSPs, and they all a) had flaws b) lowered the absolute sound quality

Unamped, HD595s driven from the EMU0404 sound amazing. Trust me, get the amp if you're not satisfied

I haven't read all the thread, but it's a ridiculous exercise, because you're lucky if you can hear down to 20Hz, and also, below your hearing threshold, your body can only feel it. With headphones, you can't feel frequencies below your hearing threshold. It's a totally different experience...

You can only really compare soundstage when using binaural recordings, because soundstage soundstage with 2 channel CDs is unnatural Are there any good albums using binaural?

Same with HD595, it's a very unnatural experience, but the sound quality is amazing

TURBO, why did you delete your post?

Don't get me wrong anyone, I still love the card, and for all we know, the other cards could be just coloring the sound to make the airy sound, unfaithful to the recording

By plasticky, we mean it lacks the "airy" "lifelike" sound, like when you get the chilling feeling down your spine from realism

It doesn't, if the resampling is good, if it's bad, then it will change the sound

I went from outputting 16 bit padded to 32 bit in foobar, using an older version of ASIO, to Winamp, using the standard CD input, and the latest ASIO. I'm pretty sure there's a difference, though I'll check after I've finished my work

If you have a decent DAC, there's no need to resample. "Resampling" is just a load of rubbish, and after the ridiculous craze, people now seek out for NOS (non oversampling) DACs, and are prepared to pay a fortune for it. Resampling has one use for music, to override the bad resampling in...

That's what I thought Asmo, but try it for yourself. http://www3.cypress.ne.jp/otachan/

They were the high frequencies - around 10kHz to 20kHz that needed boosting, but I use Winamp now with no EQ, and the sound is fabulous

Go the step up, and get a EMU0404, but use Winamp with Shibatch decoder and ASIO plugin. Foobar2000 sounds plasticky when used with the EMU DSP, but incredible with Winamp and this setup

I use the foobar2000 equalizer, but if you use Winamp I recommend the Shibatch equalizer. The upper frequencies just need a little boosting, then you keep the amazing natural detail of the card, but get a much needed more airy sound, that opens the natural tone of instruments Using Winamp...

Use Winamp, with the Shibatch MP3 decoder set to 32 bit, and Shibatch ASIO. Et voila, sound that matches the RMAA graphs of the card (which are very very good, and harsh if anything - the opposite to the Foobar+EMU sound).

If you get good stereo headphones that have a good soundstage, then running movies in stereo recreates the rears too to good effect. I'd personally steer clear of the 5.1 headphones, because there isn't much good theory behind it. People have different ears, and I can't believe the one-fits-all...

If you wear the HD595s in the right position, then they sound magnificent. The only bad thing is that they're directed drivers, so the exact position is needed to get the higher notes and "soundstage"