Hi,
i have an Asus Essence STX 2, and i have put 3 V6 Vivid inside.
I'm using a Meze 99 Classics on the line out with RCA -> Jack adaptator.
I recently bought a z390 Aorus Master motherboard, which includes an ESS Sabre 9118 with ALC1220, so that i could compare what ESS can deliver.
Result is... the Essence STX2+V6 are obvious winners
I mean, there isn't even any challenge
The sound is so much detailed and crisp, with an outstanding audio separation. Damn, i didn't thought the difference would be so easy to hear, while this motherboard is already supposed to have a beefy sound output
I tested for half an hour, switching one output to another, and came to the conclusion that an integrated audio circuit on a motherboard can't compete with a dedicated sound card with high quality opamps, even if it's dac is powered by an ESS Sabre.
One would argue that i should have tested the Aorus Xtreme instead, wich comes with a ESS 9018K2M DAC, LME 49720 and OPA1622 OP-AMP, but this one was damn too pricy. (Honestly, i could have been seduced if the opamps were not soldered )