[ROBSCIX]

Been testing it for while now. I will post some official results very soon. Stay tuned.

 

[leberserkfury]

Yay! I'm very interested to upgrade my ..... X-fi gamer. Any thoughts on a top notch DAC to go with these babies?

 

[leberserkfury]

The DAC will be connected to SDS-XLR, thus it needs to be balanced..... Any input will be greatly appreciated.

 

[john5220]

I am confident this will blow out even the highest end dedicated AMPS.

Think about it its ASUS they do not stand for low quality.

Anyways if I could afford this I would definitely buy it!!!!!!!

 

[ROBSCIX]

Well the card has some impressive specifications and ASUS quotes specs that are measured with AUdio precision not specificaitons that are form the component. So the ASUS specs are real world..

 

[finaxe]

The ASUS Xonar Essence STX is now available in Australia and New Zealand through selected electrical retailers and computer resellers. Recommended retail price (inc GST) AU$299, NZ$329.

 

[Hottuna_]

Australia actually getting something early?
Thats nice for a change.
Pretty pricey though.
Have yet to see it in stores or on any store pricelist.

 

[ROBSCIX]

@Finaxe, where?

 

[finaxe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBSCIX /img/forum/go_quote.gif @Finaxe, where?

I found this snippet in a article and there weren't a single retailer refered to...

In the other hand, I know that information is true that's because on the site of Asus New Zealand their Xonar Essence STX sound card is announced.

 

[koruki]

its listed for sale now here in NZ, computerlounge.co.nz
Gonna see how much I can get for my Xonar D2 and pick one up. Worth it?

 

[Alydon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by koruki /img/forum/go_quote.gif its listed for sale now here in NZ, computerlounge.co.nz Gonna see how much I can get for my Xonar D2 and pick one up. Worth it?

That site has it for pre-order only, i.e. - it's not available to them yet.

I'd say it's probably worth getting though. It's supposed to sound better than the HDAV 1.3, which in turn sounds better than the D2.

 

[ROBSCIX]

As far as I know the Essence hasn't been released ANYWHERE yet and if you find it, you are looking at a Pre-order.

If you are interested in stereo audio/Headphone audio which most are on this site then the Xonar Essence stx is a great sound card.
The sound quality is very good. Very dynamic, nice tight bass, good midrange without any harshness and there is very good high end extension without any scratchiness.
I find it has a very warm sound that many soundcards do not have. I enjoy the sound quality of the Essence soundcard very much.

To note, currently the HDAV 1.3 is the champ of the Xonar line up surpassing all other models. The Xonar Essence will surpass the HDAV 1.3 when released.

 

[sonci]

"When you think the computer audio is dead, here comes the Xonar.."
I remember this from a review of the first Asus audio card.
When Asus released the first Xonar, it was not such a great event, the only peculiar thing I remember was the emi shield of the card, but now I think it was like a revolution in audio..
The problem with Asus is that they want to be the first in everything they make. Being a superpower, means they can reduce costs.
I dont think they can go for the professional market of audio(RME, Lynx,..)
but certainly it`s going to be hard times for small audio hardware makers.
I`m not a specialist, but when you see the quality built of the Essence, its hard to spent 1000 bucks for an external DAC with old circuits, components or schematics..

What if they build a high end external DAC, what would be the cost?

Of course, this is only theory, on the other hand the Essence can sound awful and be a crappy card, regardless of the SNR..
I`m really impatient of this..

 

[ROBSCIX]

The Xonar Essence STX sounds awesome from my tests. All of the Xonar cards have provided great sound quality and this card was built to sound good above all else. This is why it uses the high end DAC, high quality audio filtering caps, Power filters..etc..etc.

 

[sonci]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBSCIX /img/forum/go_quote.gif The Xonar Essence STX sounds awsome from my tests.

Well, I couldnt test my loudspeakers so I decided to google them around and decided to buy or not.. From every review I found they were nice with nobody complaining about anything.. So I decided to buy them..
well, you know, I dont like them, I`m not saying they`re bad, I`m saying they sound bad with my amp, cables, source, room, music, ears, otoacustic nerve Brain...
So, after spending 900eur, and feeling to start over.. Please say " ..sounds awsome to me"