The Xonar Essence STX Q/A, tweaking, impressions thread

[taso89]

I finally decided to get an amp for my HD600's (IMO they are a little underpowered with the STX).

If I use the speaker line-outs, at what volume will they be at "line-level?" At 40% they are already quite loud when I connect my Senns straight to the line-outs, should I keep it at 100% volume to the amp for better SQ or could that damage the amp?

 

[chinesekiwi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by taso89 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I finally decided to get an amp for my HD600's (IMO they are a little underpowered with the STX). If I use the speaker line-outs, at what volume will they be at "line-level?" At 40% they are already quite loud when I connect my Senns straight to the line-outs, should I keep it at 100% volume to the amp for better SQ or could that damage the amp?

I go at 77% master volume to the amp to not stress out the circuitry too much in the Essence STX to my Rockhopper M3. It won't damage the amp at all. It is recommend to send the strongest signal as possible to the amp and then control the volume via the amp with playback volume, windows volume and your player volume at 100%.

 

[taso89]

Indeed, I've read that you want to send the strongest signal and let the amp do the work. Is it a problem that my amp will be doing more of reducing the signal than amplifying it?

 

[dex85]

i tried 2xLM6172IN (A) today. it was an upgrade in transparency over stock, but some of the sibilance and instruments harshness was back compared to 2xLME49720 (B). it also made me realize how wonderful the soundstage of B is, especially the depth is remarkable. also imagining and details is better on B.

in combination with K701, B has by far the most enjoyable and relaxing signature. it really turns listening into quite an experience, which i can't say about stock or A. i was mostly listening to blues, jazz, classics, pop where it shines. it sounded little distant with rock or metal. still i listened to Flaw album from start to end and enjoyed it very much. to sum it up, B + K701 makes for great synergy.

 

[Wartank]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtan002 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I just installed the vista 32 driver for my STX and it seemed to have screwed up the sound app in the system tray. Now when I click on it, the volume bar won't open. Any body with this issue? M Tan

I get this problem too, i can only manage to adjust the volume thru my keyboard or thru xonar's control panel. I have had this problem since the card was released. I tried reinstalling vista 32bit a couple of times but it happens every time(although it some how "fixed" itself once). I also tried windows 7 32bit and 64bit its also the same.

 

[leeperry]

right click on it, and set it to Vista SP1 compatiblity mode in windows explorer...could also try whatever other modes are in there

it works on W7 from what I understood, but native W7 drivers are coming soon anyway

 

[Cynips]

Got my LME49720HA's and got some time tonight to install them. Working fine and bass is definitely better now. That fluffy quality of the 49720NA's is gone (seems more neutral even in upper registers) and several words come to mind when trying to describe it: meaty, textured, even dry. Dry being a good thing as I'm under the impression that my cans, being closed, have a tendency towards a somewhat resonating sound - less of this now it seems.

Listening to a fav album of mine and I'm just hearing there's sub base in the finale passages of this tune

never realized that before. Could be that I'm paying closer attention to bass though...

Further listening and I'm starting to think that that sparkly, fluffy character is gone from the treble too - in a good way since I would describe what I'm hearing as clean, more neutral and straightforward - a very airy and effortless sound.

 

[leeperry]

the bad news is.......you'll end up getting totally hooked to FLAC files in KS/ASIO or WASAPI now

I just can't believe how good music sounds on this card w/ these op-amps

 

[Cynips]

Quote:

Originally Posted by leeperry /img/forum/go_quote.gif the bad news is.......you'll end up getting totally hooked to FLAC files in KS/ASIO or WASAPI now

Actually, I'm not so sure about that since I'm clearly hearing these differences while listening to good quality mp3's as well.

Quote:

I just can't believe how good music sounds on this card w/ these op-amps

Can't but agree with you about that, though it almost makes me wonder if I'm a victim to placebo. But these differences I'm hearing are too obvious to really worry about that.

BTW, gotta love that I'm getting these opamps delivered to my door for free in less than a week after ordering

thank you National!

 

[mtan002]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wartank /img/forum/go_quote.gif I get this problem too, i can only manage to adjust the volume thru my keyboard or thru xonar's control panel. I have had this problem since the card was released. I tried reinstalling vista 32bit a couple of times but it happens every time(although it some how "fixed" itself once). I also tried windows 7 32bit and 64bit its also the same.

The resolution is quite simple: go to your msconfig and disable Hsmgr and Cmicnfg DLL at Startup.

Here it helps resolve your problem.

Enjoy your music!

M Tan

 

[Cynips]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtan002 /img/forum/go_quote.gif The resolution is quite simple: go to your msconfig and disable Hsmgr and Cmicnfg DLL at Startup.

Now, why didn't I think of that!?!

 

[leeperry]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtan002 /img/forum/go_quote.gif The resolution is quite simple: go to your msconfig and disable Hsmgr and Cmicnfg DLL at Startup.

killing hsmgr.exe & mxmon.exe was a major failure for me on XP SP3...I was getting constant BSOD's in KMPlayer. apparently the Asus drivers rely on them

I'll try your suggestion

 

[leeperry]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cynips /img/forum/go_quote.gif Actually, I'm not so sure about that since I'm clearly hearing these differences while listening to good quality mp3's as well. BTW, gotta love that I'm getting these opamps delivered to my door for free in less than a week after ordering thank you National!

you got them for free? I had to pay for shipping, US $15 for 3 of them.

well I meant that these op-amps make you want more more more, 192JS mp3 sounds good....but FLAC in a bit-perfect renderer is

that National engineer wasn't lying when he said that the metal versions were astonishing...I'm still heavily shocked tbh

 

[Wartank]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtan002 /img/forum/go_quote.gif The resolution is quite simple: go to your msconfig and disable Hsmgr and Cmicnfg DLL at Startup. Here it helps resolve your problem. Enjoy your music! M Tan

Thanks buddy it worked!!!!

 

[gurubhai]

^^works for me too, thanks