[sell224]

After a long search for some sort of headphone amp, I have decided to go with the ASUS Xonar Essence STX due to its low price (relative to buying a DAC and a headphone amp) and the ability to upgrade to an external headphone amp in the future.

Speakers: Mackie hr824
Headphones: Beyer dt770

My questions:
1. I see that there are two 1/4 inch plugs in the back of the sound card, but I haven't fully been able to figure out what they are for. Would I be able to plug left channel and right channel studio monitors into them? That is all.

2. I would initially plan on using the 1/8 headphone plug to plug the headphones into, but I might buy a tube amp in the future. How would I go about connecting a little dot mkII for example to this sound card? (Which plugs).

3. Plugging in both the monitors and headphones in at the same time, would I be able to switch off between them without having to unplug either (do it through the digital UI).


Very simple questions, hoping for very simple answer! Thanks.

 

[crazyjeeper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sell224 /img/forum/go_quote.gif After a long search for some sort of headphone amp, I have decided to go with the ASUS Xonar Essence STX due to its low price (relative to buying a DAC and a headphone amp) and the ability to upgrade to an external headphone amp in the future. Speakers: Mackie hr824 Headphones: Beyer dt770 My questions: 1. I see that there are two 1/4 inch plugs in the back of the sound card, but I haven't fully been able to figure out what they are for. Would I be able to plug left channel and right channel studio monitors into them? That is all.

I have the Xonar Essence STX. The 1/4" plugs are the mic/line in jacks and the amplified headphone out jack. If you wanted to connect monitors to the card, you would have to use the RCA jacks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sell224 /img/forum/go_quote.gif 2. I would initially plan on using the 1/8 headphone plug to plug the headphones into, but I might buy a tube amp in the future. How would I go about connecting a little dot mkII for example to this sound card? (Which plugs).

There is no 1/8" jack on the STX, only RCA outs, 1 coxial and the aformentioned 1/4" jacks. You would use the RCA jacks to connected a headphone amp. The 1/4" headphone out is only if you are going to use the internal amplifier.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sell224 /img/forum/go_quote.gif 3. Plugging in both the monitors and headphones in at the same time, would I be able to switch off between them without having to unplug either (do it through the digital UI). Very simple questions, hoping for very simple answer! Thanks.

If you plug your phones into the 1/4" jack and the monitors into the RCA, then it is very easy to switch between them. There is an option in the driver audio console where you select the output device.

 

[sell224]

Awesome, thanks for the helpful info. So I guess my last concern is that I currenyly plug in my monitors through two 1/4" guitar jack chords into the mobile pre channel 1 and 2 inputs, left and right. Do you know, would the mackies be able to use the RCA inputs? They are different correct?

 

[gordolindsay]

Yeah, all they would need is a 1/4" to rca adapter. Easily found at Radio Shack or the like.

 

[Bmac]

Keep in mind that if you want to add an external amplifier in the future you will either need Y-splitters to split the signal from the card to your amp and to your speakers (not recommended), or a pre-amp with 2 outputs if you don't want to switch cables to go from speakers to headphones.

 

[ROBSCIX]

There are a few around here that use the STX's line outs then use their favorite external amplifiers.

 

[taso89]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bmac /img/forum/go_quote.gif Keep in mind that if you want to add an external amplifier in the future you will either need Y-splitters to split the signal from the card to your amp and to your speakers (not recommended), or a pre-amp with 2 outputs if you don't want to switch cables to go from speakers to headphones.

Why not recommended? I have seperate powered speakers and powered sub and use Y-splitters from Blue Jeans Cable and they work well. Maybe it's not the most elegant solution but it still sounds pretty great.

 

[Bmac]

My understanding is that a line-level signal is not very strong, so splitting (and thereby weakening) it will increase the noise floor. I could be wrong though. You never know how a pre-amp will alter the signal or add it's own noise either.

 

[Reputator]

Just so you know, if you upgrade to an external amp you lose the ability to use Dolby Headphone. The drivers will always associate the RCA out with speakers.

 

[ROBSCIX]

Yes, but you can add Dolby Headphone to many players such as Foobar..etc.

 

[Reputator]

Not with games though.

 

[genclaymore]

or you can use DVS in its place. Which I Now use after getting my speakers and using them with my amp.

 

[adam_eu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reputator /img/forum/go_quote.gif Just so you know, if you upgrade to an external amp you lose the ability to use Dolby Headphone. The drivers will always associate the RCA out with speakers.

Too bad. So if I will connect external amp trough the 2 RCA on stx i won't be able to use any of it effects such as Dolby Headphone's or Eax? It would be really annoying switching headphones jack from my external amp to stx's amp every time i wan't to play a game or watch a movie :/

Maybe there is some driver update which could solve this problem?

 

[taso89]

EAX works on all outputs. Dolby Headphone is IMO awful and I never use it.

 

[adam_eu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by taso89 /img/forum/go_quote.gif EAX works on all outputs. Dolby Headphone is IMO awful and I never use it.

Thanks for info. And how about GX 2.5? Does it work on all outputs too?