What would be an equivalent (external) replacement for an Asus Xonar STX II

[Mancubus]

Hello guys, I've been following this forum for a while and this is my first post.
 
I've had the Asus Xonar Essence STX for 5 years and had that horrible screeching issue. I've built a new computer recently and (stupid me) added a Xonar Essence STX II, hoping that this new version would not have this deal breaking issue. I was wrong, so I've returned the card and now I'm back to the onboard audio, which is ok but not nearly as good.
 
My headphone model is the HD-555 from Sennheiser, and my question is: What could possibly replace the Xonar STX audio quality and tweaks? Preferably something completely external with a volume knob.
 
Apparently the Soundblaster X7 is great, but is in a completely different price range. I'd like something that costs around 100-200usd.
 
Thanks!

 

[cel4145]

Soundblaster X7 really only makes sense for people that want to hook up passive speakers anyway. Seems overpriced just for DAC/headphone amp.

If you don't need Dolby Headphone, get the Schiit Modi 2/Magni 2 dac/headphone amp.

If you do want Dolby Headphone, buy a Xonar DG or DGX, and then get the Modi 2 Uber that has an optical connection. You can hook it to the sound card and still get the virtual surround effect even though you are using an external DAC.

 

[techboy]

Get an Asus DG/DX with:

Schiit Stack
O2/ODAC

 

[fishyee]

Do you need mic capabilities?

If so, the Soundblaster G5 is in your price range and has mic and surround sound features.

If not, you have about a million options for an external dac. Audioquest Dragonfly, Centrance Dacport HD, Fiio, JDS Labs, Schiit, etc.

Good luck.

 

[Mancubus]

Soundblaster X7 really only makes sense for people that want to hook up passive speakers anyway. Seems overpriced just for DAC/headphone amp.

If you don't need Dolby Headphone, get the Schiit Modi 2/Magni 2 dac/headphone amp.

If you do want Dolby Headphone, buy a Xonar DG or DGX, and then get the Modi 2 Uber that has an optical connection. You can hook it to the sound card and still get the virtual surround effect even though you are using an external DAC.

 
 

Get an Asus DG/DX with:

Schiit Stack
O2/ODAC

 
I appreciate both replies, thanks. However, I will stay away from anything coming from Asus, even if it is the best option. The company has ignored the screeching issue for years (there is a big thread about it somewhere on the forum). No one has ever been able to find a solution and Asus never acknowledged the issue, which is not only extremely annoying but dangerous as well. That said, I refuse to buy anything else from them, especially in the audio department.
 
When you tell me to get these Schiit Modi 2/ MAgni 2/ Stack / O2/ODAC do you mean one of these or both? I am quite ignorant on this matter. All I know is that I had this nice equalizer and Dolby stuff on my Xonar and I'd like to get that again, if possible under $200.
 
Unfortunately it's also quite hard to find this stuff where I live, even online. How good (or bad) would be the Sound Blaster E5? Would it be sufficient or would I still need a proper sound card as well?

 

[cel4145]

Those are DAC/headphone amp combinations. They do not come with additional software like EQ.

 

[Mancubus]

Do you need mic capabilities?

If so, the Soundblaster G5 is in your price range and has mic and surround sound features.

If not, you have about a million options for an external dac. Audioquest Dragonfly, Centrance Dacport HD, Fiio, JDS Labs, Schiit, etc.

Good luck.

 
No need for mic, but how about surround features, will these other external dac you mentioned have them?
 
 

Those are DAC/headphone amp combinations. They do not come with additional software like EQ.

 
I saw this on the reviews, looks like it does come with EQ:
 

 

[techboy]

The Asus sound card's SPDIF doesn't have screeching issues. I use its SPDIF as well. It has DSP. Creative SCs have the same issues.

 

[Mancubus]

The Asus sound card's SPDIF doesn't have screeching issues. I use its SPDIF as well. It has DSP. Creative SCs have the same issues.

 
I'm not totally upset about the screeching issue itself, but the fact that Asus ignored it for so long and that it still persisted on a newer card (STX II) after countless complaints from the users who had the first STX.
 
I googled and found some screeching issued with Sound Blaster cards, but none with the DAC/AMP devices such as the E5, G5 or X7.

 

[cel4145]

I googled and found some screeching issued with Sound Blaster cards, but none with the DAC/AMP devices such as the E5, G5 or X7.

Which is an indicator it may be more of a Windows problem than an Asus or Creative problem. Microsoft often does support hardware vendors like they should.

 

[PurpleAngel]

  Hello guys, I've been following this forum for a while and this is my first post.
I've had the Asus Xonar Essence STX for 5 years and had that horrible screeching issue. I've built a new computer recently and (stupid me) added a Xonar Essence STX II, hoping that this new version would not have this deal breaking issue. I was wrong, so I've returned the card and now I'm back to the on-board audio, which is ok but not nearly as good.
My headphone model is the HD-555 from Sennheiser, and my question is: What could possibly replace the Xonar STX audio quality and tweaks? Preferably something completely external with a volume knob.
Apparently the Sound Blaster X7 is great, but is in a completely different price range. I'd like something that costs around 100-200usd.
Thanks!

 
Did you disabled the motherboard's on-board audio, in the BIOS, before installing the Xonar sound card or it's drivers?
Did you make sure all three of the STX's op-amps are fully seated on the card, sometimes they come a little lose.
 
Have you tried the Unified Xonar Drivers?
http://maxedtech.com/asus-xonar-unified-drivers/
 
For around $120, you could try an optical DAC, like one from Hifimediy ($60) and a FiiO A3 (E11K) headphone amplifier ($60).
Plug the DAC into the STX's optical port and A3 into the DAC.
 
Can't see spending more then $120 for a DAC/amp, for headphones like the HD555, otherwise it starts to make more sense to upgrade from the HD555.

 

[Mancubus]

Which is an indicator it may be more of a Windows problem than an Asus or Creative problem. Microsoft often does support hardware vendors like they should.

 
I'm quite sure it's a problem with the card. I've never heard of that problem with any onboard sound cards, and I'm quite sure I read about someone with Linux also having the issue.
 
I also had the screeching issue in Windows 7 and Windows 10.
 

   
Did you disabled the motherboard's on-board audio, in the BIOS, before installing the Xonar sound card or it's drivers?
Did you make sure all three of the STX's op-amps are fully seated on the card, sometimes they come a little lose.
 
Have you tried the Unified Xonar Drivers?
http://maxedtech.com/asus-xonar-unified-drivers/
 
For around $120, you could try an optical DAC, like one from Hifimediy ($60) and a FiiO A3 (E11K) headphone amplifier ($60).
Plug the DAC into the STX's optical port and A3 into the DAC.
 
Can't see spending more then $120 for a DAC/amp, for headphones like the HD555, otherwise it starts to make more sense to upgrade from the HD555.

 
Yes, onboard audio was disabled, I've never checked the op-amps, but I think if that was the issue, it would have already been discovered on this 15 page thread (http://www.head-fi.org/t/494565/xonar-essense-stx-random-loud-high-pitched-ringing-noise/). The problem persisted with the original and also with the unified drivers, it's not a driver problem.
 
The STXII is already gone (I returned it), if there is a solution I could grab the old STX from my old computer (which is connected to a TV and I seldom use). 
 
I would be really pleased with a working Xonar STX, I wouldn't need a DAC/AMP if I could get mine to work without the issue. What I'm asking for is a solution without the Xonar that provides a similar experience.

 

[Mancubus]

With all these replies I got more confused than ever, so I've decided to follow purely some reviews around and went with the Sound BlasterX G5. It's a DAC, AMP and Surround at the same time. 
 
I'm totally happy with it, does exactly what the Xonar used to do, but cheaper, the software doesn't look like 1998, has lots of settings to fiddle with and a very handy volume knob.