Dusty Chalk Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 So I'm slowly putting together a computer, and I'm thinking about the soundcard, and I read this blurb in the lastest "Maximum PC" about the Asus Xonar Essence STX, which claims one of the highest SNR (124dB) I've ever seen on a card (yes, yes, I know you can't hear it, whatever) -- anyone familiar with this card or with this line of cards? Looking through NewEgg, they have others that they claim have low noise floor/high SNR (E.G. Asus Xonar DX). Any other recommendations? HT Omega seems to be rated pretty highly over there, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beefy Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 Familiar only from what I have read, but the Essence STX seems to be just about as good as you will get in a PC soundcard for music listening. all the critical stuff is controlled by relays, well shielded, headphone amp based around TPA6120A2, switchable OPAMPs...... Sure, it might not beat a proper audiophile desktop, but for the money it is pretty compelling. If I used a desktop PC, I would sure as hell buy one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nebby Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 I'm also looking at picking up a new soundcard and I've basically narrowed it down to either the Asus Essence STX or the Onkyo SE-200 LTD. The Onkyo uses the WM8740 DAC while the STX uses the Burr-Brown PCM 1792A dac. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dreadhead Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 Looks awesome and the 1792A is a sweet chip. If you get one I'll love to hear it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ingwe Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 Looks awesome and the 1792A is a sweet chip. If you get one I'll love to hear measure it. FIFY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusty Chalk Posted May 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 Looks awesome and the 1792A is a sweet chip. If you get one I'll love to hear it.Yes, definitely. Won't be any time soon, though. Need to get things like power supply and CPU first, I think. (Unless it goes on sale, in which case I'll temporarily put it into one of my other computers.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dreadhead Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 hear=measure same thing. I've now got a way to measure the ability of DACs to actually play entire musical pieces. It's pretty neat. I need a better ADC but I am not going to buy one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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