Xfi Fatality vs Asus Sonar STX

[pumbaa32]

This is my first post here although i've been reading headfi for awhile. Hope that my first post will receive great supports from you guys

Well, im using an XFI Fatality sound card with Little dot MK4 to power my HD650 and my D7000/SR80 is plugged directly to the headphone output on the front panel of the Xfi; to be honest i'm satifsfied with this combo. But i've heard alot of good thing about the Asus STX, i would like to know if it worth the upgrade to the STX, the diffence is really noticable?

I dont play game much, mainly only CS Source but i dont know if the STX will do the same good job in term of sound environement precision as the Xfi. And i just love the I/O front panel of the Xfi which is for me very useful when i wanna do some recording, changing headphone or just connecting other devices..

If you were me, what would you do?

 

[Bmac]

If you already have an X-fi and a headphone amp then there is no point in spending $200 for the STX. You won't be using the headphone amp, and it's not as good for gaming. I think your money would be better spent on a higher quality DAC. The STX has a better DAC than the X-fi, but there is no point in paying for the headphone amp and other components on the STX that you won't use when you can put all your money into just a DAC.

 

[ROBSCIX]

The STX offers more then just a headphones amplifier. The DAC and line output sections are great with replacable opamps which you can upgrade for better sound quality. The STX is leagues above the CL X-fi's for straight sound quality...

 

[scytheavatar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bmac /img/forum/go_quote.gif If you already have an X-fi and a headphone amp then there is no point in spending $200 for the STX. You won't be using the headphone amp, and it's not as good for gaming. I think your money would be better spent on a higher quality DAC. The STX has a better DAC than the X-fi, but there is no point in paying for the headphone amp and other components on the STX that you won't use when you can put all your money into just a DAC.

So could you suggest a "higher quality" DAC that's remotely close to the STX's price range? Because I bet that you can't. And don't forget that when you are getting an external DAC you are paying extra for the case and power supply, so I don't see how it's any better than paying for the STX's headphone amp and "other components which you won't use."

 

[nyjets28]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pumbaa32 /img/forum/go_quote.gif And i just love the I/O front panel of the Xfi which is for me very useful when i wanna do some recording, changing headphone or just connecting other devices..

pumbaa, if you plug in headphones to the I/O front panel, then does that override the soundcard output or is there simultaneous output from both at the same time?

 

[pumbaa32]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bmac /img/forum/go_quote.gif If you already have an X-fi and a headphone amp then there is no point in spending $200 for the STX. You won't be using the headphone amp, and it's not as good for gaming. I think your money would be better spent on a higher quality DAC. The STX has a better DAC than the X-fi, but there is no point in paying for the headphone amp and other components on the STX that you won't use when you can put all your money into just a DAC.

Ye, this is also the reason why i'm trying to resist the STX. I cant afford the 2 cards at the same time and if i let my XFI go, i will miss the I/O panel so much

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBSCIX /img/forum/go_quote.gif The STX offers more then just a headphones amplifier. The DAC and line output sections are great with replacable opamps which you can upgrade for better sound quality. The STX is leagues above the CL X-fi's for straight sound quality...

I doubt that the STX's amp could be better than my Little dot but if the STX is rated 10/10, how will you rate the XFI in term of sound quality?

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyjets28 /img/forum/go_quote.gif pumbaa, if you plug in headphones to the I/O front panel, then does that override the soundcard output or is there simultaneous output from both at the same time?

You can use the 2 output simultaneously or only 1, there is an option for that purpose with the software of Creative. I used to listen to the music with the HD650 plugged in to the LD mk4 via rear output and playing game with SR80 plugged in directly to the headphone output on the I/O panel for best EAX experience. I found that the XFI drives my headphones pretty well via its headphone output.

 

[nyjets28]

thanks pumbaa

 

[ROBSCIX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pumbaa32 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I doubt that the STX's amp could be better than my Little dot but if the STX is rated 10/10, how will you rate the XFI in term of sound quality?

I never mentioned your little dot, nor said the STX was 10/10... what I said is the sound quality of a STX is far beyond the Creative Labs X-fi's. If you already have a external headphone amplifier that you like use that.
There are a few great cards out that surpass what you currently have. If you are a hard core gamer, perhaps a Auzentech Prelude or Forte might be a better solution.

This would give you better sound quality then your Creative X-fi and just connect up to your little dot in the same fashion.

 

[Shahrose]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pumbaa32 /img/forum/go_quote.gif This is my first post here although i've been reading headfi for awhile. Hope that my first post will receive great supports from you guys Well, im using an XFI Fatality sound card with Little dot MK4 to power my HD650 and my D7000/SR80 is plugged directly to the headphone output on the front panel of the Xfi; to be honest i'm satifsfied with this combo. But i've heard alot of good thing about the Asus STX, i would like to know if it worth the upgrade to the STX, the diffence is really noticable? I dont play game much, mainly only CS Source but i dont know if the STX will do the same good job in term of sound environement precision as the Xfi. And i just love the I/O front panel of the Xfi which is for me very useful when i wanna do some recording, changing headphone or just connecting other devices.. If you were me, what would you do?

Hi pumbaa. There's one significant issue with your current setup which needs to be addressed: stop using the front panel and plug the amp into the back panel of the X-Fi. I've found the back panel has better SQ.

That being said, the STX is a significant step up from the X-Fi. I recommend you go for it if your budget allows. Remember to use the rear outputs of the STX!

 

[Bmac]

Quote:

Originally Posted by scytheavatar /img/forum/go_quote.gif So could you suggest a "higher quality" DAC that's remotely close to the STX's price range? Because I bet that you can't. And don't forget that when you are getting an external DAC you are paying extra for the case and power supply, so I don't see how it's any better than paying for the STX's headphone amp and "other components which you won't use."

Settle down bud, I'm not knocking the STX. I have one myself and I think it's a great card, but if the OP already has what is likely a better headphone amp, I just don't see the point in paying for another if he's not going to use it.

I don't know all there is to know about DAC's, but if it were my money I would be researching to find a stand-alone DAC. Maybe there isn't one that compares for similar money, I don't know because I've never really looked into it. If I were the OP that's probably the route I would go though. It makes for easier (and cheaper) upgrading down the road.

 

[pumbaa32]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBSCIX /img/forum/go_quote.gif I never mentioned your little dot, nor said the STX was 10/10... what I said is the sound quality of a STX is far beyond the Creative Labs X-fi's. If you already have a external headphone amplifier that you like use that. There are a few great cards out that surpass what you currently have. If you are a hard core gamer, perhaps a Auzentech Prelude or Forte might be a better solution. This would give you better sound quality then your Creative X-fi and just connect up to your little dot in the same fashion.

Dont get me wrong, i just wanted to know how would you rate the XFI card comparing to the STX in term of sound quality.

I'm not a hardcore gamer, the reason i'm still sticking with the Xfi is just the front panel, if i remember well, neither the Prelude nor Forte has it

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shahrose /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi pumbaa. There's one significant issue with your current setup which needs to be addressed: stop using the front panel and plug the amp into the back panel of the X-Fi. I've found the back panel has better SQ. That being said, the STX is a significant step up from the X-Fi. I recommend you go for it if your budget allows. Remember to use the rear outputs of the STX!

Hi shahrose, thanks for the remark. I've always been using my amp plugged into the rear output of my sound card and I will do the same if i get the STX. I think i will keep the X-FI since there are alot of them on Ebay for just around 50€

 

[leeperry]

Elite Bastards

 

[davidastoria]

not to thread jack but I've been thinking about getting the STX too and have a somewhat related concern.

Im currently running ASUS P5W onboard digital out > zero DAC > Little Dot MK V.

I've been considering the STX and I'm just now learning that it's a DAC as well and I wouldn't even need the zero DAC anymore, is that correct? Or is the zero DAC still needed/superior?

Because I've been wanting to upgrade my DAC and I might as well knock out two birds (upgrade digital out & DAC) with one stone with the STX if that's the case.

 

[ROBSCIX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidastoria /img/forum/go_quote.gif not to thread jack but I've been thinking about getting the STX too and have a somewhat related concern. Im currently running ASUS P5W onboard digital out > zero DAC > Little Dot MK V. I've been considering the STX and I'm just now learning that it's a DAC as well and I wouldn't even need the zero DAC anymore, is that correct? Or is the zero DAC still needed/superior? Because I've been wanting to upgrade my DAC and I might as well knock out two birds (upgrade digital out & DAC) with one stone with the STX if that's the case.

Well the STX has a DAC and line out and headphone Amp out.
A few have said the STX has superior sound over the Zero but I haven't compared the two personally so cannot comment on that one. You may get better results using the STX with the Little Dot connected to the STX's line outs...

You might want to see if you can do comparisons and see if the STX is a upgrade from the gear you currently have or if you should stick with what you have.

Hope this helps.

 

[ROBSCIX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pumbaa32 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Dont get me wrong, i just wanted to know how would you rate the XFI card comparing to the STX in term of sound quality. I'm not a hardcore gamer, the reason i'm still sticking with the Xfi is just the front panel, if i remember well, neither the Prelude nor Forte has it

The CL X-fis are ok but better when modified with better opamps. I would take the Auzentech Prelude 7.1 or Auzentech Forte 7.1 easily over anything CL has to offer. As for the drive bays, The Auzen Forte 7.1, will accept the newest drive bays from CL. The drive bay pictured here->Link
The newest bays are somwhat different form teh older models though in terms of features and I/O options.
Both Prelude and Forte are awesome for gaming and overall sound quality especially when you snap in some good opamps.