Asus Xonar Essence ST Soundcard
- - PCI Connection soundcard
- Industry-leading 124dB SNR
- Built-in headphone amp with <0.001% distortion
- Nichicon "Fine Gold" capacitors
- Perfectly shielded EMI-free analog output path
- Show more details…
QuickFind code: 176957
Manufacturer ID: 90-YAA0E0-0UAN00Z
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Asus Xonar Essence ST Soundcard Product Description
Specification
Output Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-Weighted):
124dB for Front-out,117dB for Headphone-out (600ohms) dB
Input Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-Weighted):
118 dB
Output THD+N at 1kHz:
0.0003% (-110dB) for Front-out, 0.001% (-100dB) for Headphone-out
Input THD+N at 1kHz:
0.0002% (-113dB) for Line-in
Frequency Response (-3dB, 24-bit/192kHz input):
<10Hz to 90KHz
Output/Input Full-Scale Voltage
2 Vrms (5.65 Vp-p)
PCI:
PCI v2.2 or above bus compatible
Audio Processor:
ASUS AV100 High-Definition Sound Processor (Max. 192KHz/24bit)
24-bit D-A Converter of Digital Sources:
Texas Instruments PCM1792A*1 for Front-Out (127dB SNR, Max. 192kHz/24bit)
24-bit A-D Converter for Analog Inputs:
Cirrus-Logic CS5381* 1 (120dB SNR, Max. 192kHz/24bit)
High Fidelity Headphone Amplifier:
Texas Instruments 6120A2*1 (120dB SNR, 100dB THD+N @ Vcc±12V, RL=600Ù, f=1kHz)
Analog Playback Sample Rate and Resolution:
44.1K/48K/96K/192KHz @ 16/24bit
Analog Recording Sample Rate and Resolution:
44.1K/48K/96K/192KHz @ 16/24bit
S/PDIF Digital Output:
4.1K/48K/96K/192KHz @ 16/24bit, Dolby Digital
ASIO 2.0 Driver Support:
Supports 44.1K/48K/96K/192KHz @16/24bit with very low latency
Analog Output Jack:
RCA jack *2 (Front R / Front L), 6.30mm jack*1 (Headphone out)
Analog Input Jack:
6.30mm jack *1 (Shared by Line-In/Mic-In)
Other line-level analog input (for CD-IN/TV Tuner):
ux-In (4-pin header on the card)
Digital S/PDIF Output:
High-bandwidth Coaxial/TOS-Link combo port supports 192KHz/24bit
Front-Panel Header:
Shared by Headphone out / 2 channels out /
Microphone in
S/PDIF Header:
Connects to compatiable graphic cards for HDMI output
Operation System:
Windows Vista/XP(32/64bit)/MCE2005
Dolby® Technologies:
Dolby® Digital Live
Dolby Digital Live encodes any audio signal on PC in real-time to Dolby Digital (AC3) 5.1 surround sounds to your home theater environment through one single S/PDIF connection
Dolby® Headphone
Dolby Headphone technology allows users to listen to music, watch movies, or play games with the dramatic 5.1-channel surround or realistic 3D spacious effects through any set of stereo headphones.
Dolby® Virtual Speaker
Dolby Virtual Speaker technology simulates a highly realistic 5.1-speaker surround sound listening environment from as few as two speakers.
Dolby® Pro-Logic II
Dolby Pro-Logic II is the well-known technology to process any native stereo or 5.1-channel audio into up to 6.1 channel output, creating a seamless, natural surround soundfield.
Smart Volume Normalizer™:
Smart Volume Normalizer™
Normalizes the volume of all audio sources into a constant level and also enhances your 3D sound listening range and advantages in gaming
Xear 3D™ Virtual Speaker Shifter:
Virtual 7.1 speaker positioning
Karaoke Functions:
Music Key-Shifting and Microphone Echo effects like professional Karaoke machine
FlexBass™:
Professional Bass Management/Enhancement system
3D Sound Engines/APIs:
Vista: DirectSound3D® GX 2.5, DirectSound® HW, DirectSound SW, A3D®1.0, OpenAL generic modes, 128 3D sounds processing capability
XP: DirectSound2.5 SW, A3D®1.0, OpenAL generic modes, 128 3D sounds processing capability
VocalFX™:
the latest vocal effect technologies for gaming and VoIP, including: -VoiceEX: produces vivid environmental reverberation for your voice in EAX games -ChatEX: emulates different background environment effects when you chat online -Magic Voice: changes your voice pitch to different types (Monster/Cartoon…) for disguising your real voice or just for fun in online chatting
Asus Xonar Essence ST Soundcard Product Reviews
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ASUS Essence ST
operating system:Windows 7Bought this to replace a well used Audigy 2. Running Windows 7 with Creative Z680 Speaker system.
I'm no audiophile, but this card certainly sounds good even with my old speaker system. Recommend 256kb MP3 for playback for near CD quality sound. Note this card is primarily for Music, does gaming fine but some of the EAX effects are not quite right (allegedly).
The build quality is something else, I just know I'm going to have this for years. Looking forward to buying some Grado Headphones in the future to hear the real quality of this card!
Sound & Build Quality: 10
Packaging & Instructions: 9
Extras (leads etc): 7
Software/Drivers: 7
Comment: If your into music, this card comes highly recommended.
I bow to the superior service & delivery power of Ebuyer - ordered on Free Supersaver at 4.30pm - arrived next day in Billingham, Cleveland around 9am!
Geeza
Update
Just an update to my initial soundcard review,
I bought some high end headphones, Denon AH-D5000 - coupled with the Asus Essence ST I must say I am simply blown away. Music is incredibly detailed and clear with a great soundstage - infact I've been revisiting all my old albums, and are listing in detail to albums I never appreciated before.
The downside is poor recorded music (mp3 & CD's) is shown for what it is - all the hiss, crackles and pops are made very apparent. Playing games is made highly immersive, you can pinpoint where the enemy is and the distance in your minds eye! I played Doom 3 again and was unnerved by the effects - I didn't get this effect when playing through my speakers with the Audigy 2 card.
Buy some decent headphones with this card (Denon AH-D2000 for e.g.) and prepare to experience your music and games at another level.
Reply to Buzz
Buzz thank you for correcting my inaccuracies!
I have a pair of Denon AH-D5000 headphones to complement the Xonar - much better than the old speakers!
Must Buy
operating system:Windows 7If you play games or listen to music you will love this card but a word of warning - you must get a good pair of headphones or you are wasting your money as you will not get the quality out of it - I did a lot of research before I got this card and trust me you will not be disappointed, The head phones I brought are Audio Technica ATH-M50 and again a lot of research went into them, cost a lot more that than a normal headset but well worth it as I like my dance music and a little bass to go with it, at the end of the day it is all down to how much you want to spend and how much you value great quality sound. All in all 10 out of 10 for this product
Technical Specification
Manufacturer ID: 90-YAA0E0-0UAN00Z
General | |
|---|---|
| Device Type | Sound card |
| Enclosure Type | Plug-in card |
| Interface Type | PCI |
Processor / Memory | |
| Signal Processor | ASUS AV100 |
Audio Output | |
| Sound Output Mode | Stereo |
| DAC Data Width | 24-bit |
| Sample Rate | 44.1 kHz (min) - 192 kHz (max) |
| Signal-To-Noise Ratio | 124 dB |
| Response Bandwidth | 10 - 90000 Hz |
| Features | Karaoke, built-in Dolby Pro Logic II decoder, Dolby Headphone technology, Dolby Virtual Speaker technology, Magic Voice, Smart Volume Normalizer, FlexBass, Xear 3D Virtual Speaker Shifter, VocalFX |
| Compliant Standards | DirectSound, A3D 1.0, OpenAL, Dolby Digital Live, Dolby Virtual Speaker, Dolby Headphone, DirectSound3D GX 2.5, Dolby Pro Logic II |
| Audio Modes | Playback : 24-bit 192 kHz - 124 dB ¦ Record : 24-bit 192 kHz - 118 dB |
Expansion / Connectivity | |
| Interfaces | 1 x audio - line-out - RCA x 2 ¦ 1 x headphones - output ¦ 1 x audio - line-in/microphone ¦ 1 x audio - line-In - 4 PIN MPC ¦ 1 x audio - SPDIF output - RCA |
| Compatible Slots | 1 x PCI |
Miscellaneous | |
| Cables Included | 1 x audio (optical) adapter |
Software / System Requirements | |
| OS Required | Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, Microsoft Windows Vista |
Asus Xonar Essence ST Soundcard Product Discussion
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5 in stock
- £156.18inc. vat
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