[Veedo]

Been running the stx in stock form for a year or so now and I do like it a lot, but looking to experiment with op amps. I'm using the rca outs to a small ta2021 indeed t amp, driving a pair of energy rc10's near field at the moment. I'm looking through various threads on the stx, and there is a lot of info out there for sure. Just looking to see what you guys thought would be a good starting point, and maybe some tips on where to purchase. I know this is subjective, but if you could point me towards some I might like to try, that'd be cool. Should also add that I'd like to try near field monitors in the future to see the difference vs bookshelf's, so if you have input on that feel free to chime in. Thanks.

 

[Schroeder]

Hey,


 


just a quick question.


Does the Essence STX provide full 7.1 Dolby Headphone support without the use of Virtual Speaker Shifter?


For example: DTS HD-Master Audio Sound Check 7.1 (Lossless); from: http://www.demo-world.eu/trailers/high-definition-trailers.php


Do you get the 7.1 impression with just Dolby Headphone activated or do you have to also activate Virtual Speaker Shifter?


 


Thanks for reading,


Schroeder

 

[Valhallatier]

those who has the essence STX with beyer DT880 250ohm, can you share your impressions?
wanna buy the soundcard for my DT880

 

[PurpleAngel]

Been running the STX in stock form for a year or so now and I do like it a lot, but looking to experiment with op amps. I'm using the RCA outs to a small TA2021 indeed t amp, driving a pair of energy RC10's near field at the moment. I'm looking through various threads on the STX, and there is a lot of info out there for sure. Just looking to see what you guys thought would be a good starting point, and maybe some tips on where to purchase. I know this is subjective, but if you could point me towards some I might like to try, that'd be cool. Should also add that I'd like to try near field monitors in the future to see the difference vs bookshelf's, so if you have input on that feel free to chime in. Thanks.

 
LME49720NA are only $4 each and they are a dual channel op-amp.
Technically the LM4652 op-amp in the STX's buffer (DIP-8) slot is a renamed LME49720NA
So would just need to replace the two JRC2114 op-amps in the I/V slots
 
I installed three AD797BR (SOIC) op-amps in my STX, $17.99 each (3 X 17.99 = $55.97)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/mod-1x-AD797BR-Dual-to-Mono-Op-amp-module-ultralow-noise-replace-a-dual-op-/261266640288?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cd4b48da0
 
LME49990 (SOIC) are also popular op-amps for the STX, $14.99 each, (3 X 14.99 = $44.97)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DUAL-SOIC-LME49990-DIP8-ADAPTER-/201139716454?pt=US_Amplifier_Parts_Components&hash=item2ed4dc8166
 
The AD797BR & LME49990 are single channel (SOIC) op-amps, so they have to be soldered on to a dual (SOIC) to DIP-8 adapter.
The two eBay lists are for pre-soldered op-amps, both sells have good reputations.
 
There are other op-amps what will work on the STX, but I can't remember their model number.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  those who has the essence STX with beyer DT880 250ohm, can you share your impressions?
wanna buy the soundcard for my DT880

 
The STX/DT880 combo works fine (both the Pro 250-Ohm & Premium 600-Ohm)

 

[neogeosnk]

Just throwing my two cents out there.  I almost dumped the Xonar ST, but then I got the DUAL SOIC LME49990 omp amps.  Wow, game changer for me.  Everything sounds significantly better, after about 40 hours burnin time.  

 

[wrists]

hi, ive got the essence ST. can you recommend me a music player and what settings/plugins to use (asio, wasapi, ..?)
 
i am currently using foobar with wasapi (ive got hd600 as headphones)

 

[PurpleAngel]

  hi, I've got the essence ST. can you recommend me a music player and what settings/plugins to use (asio, wasapi, ..?)
 
I am currently using foobar with wasapi (I've got hd600 as headphones)

 
I believe Foobar200 with WASAPI is about as good as it gets.
 
But here is a list of lots of free (and maybe shareware) audio players.
If you find something you think is better then Foobar2000, lets us know.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/mg/sortpopularity/audio.html

 

[wrists]

cool, thanks

 

[Kid 1]

Hi I'm considering an Essence STX but i have a question as how much heat  this sound card can endure. the ONLY pci slot I have open is above my geforce GTX480s in SLI. I do have a well ventilated Cooler Master Sniper case with 4 large fans in it. the sound card will be about 1/2 to 3/4 inch above the GTX480.

 

[cladisch]

 

how much heat  this sound card can endure

 
For the effects of heat on the sound quality, see page 12 of the PCM1792A datasheet.
 
The card itself should work fine. None of the card's components are run near their limits.
(Compare with a CPU or GPU: 192 kHz is 0.000192 GHz.)
 
If you want to improve cooling, remove the shield from the card (it's just for show).

 

[Kid 1]

Thx so much for your reply and tip on the shield. after reading through the datasheet for the dac the performance does not change under a wide array temperatures.I'll be ordering the stx tonight looking forward to the sweet sounds.

 

[Kid 1]

Well just ordered the STX it will be here by the weekend. so the next question is what drivers do you guys think I should use, the latest from ASUS or the latest unified drivers? I'll be using the sound card on windows 7 64bit.

 

[Lorienblack]

I know this has been asked before but I remain a little confused after reading replies. I have the option of digital out "coax spdif" from my asus motherboard and the option of the stx digital out "coax spdif".

Is there an appreciable difference/improvement by using the sound card? And to what extent can the stx implement room EQ or DSP that might make it a keeper?

Many thanks for your thoughts or experiences.

 

[mindbomb]

dolby headphone allows you to experience surround sound from games and movies, and music I guess if you have any 5.1 music. Though an stx doing just that is overkill, as the $30 xonar dgx can do that as well over digital. Actually, I guess for music, there is a dolby headphone plugin for foobar that you can use instead.