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Asus Xonar Essence STX Sound Card

Stock Code: SC-005-AS

Manufacturers Code: 90-YAA0C0-0UAN00Z

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Being the world’s first audio card to achieve 124dB in signal-to-noise ratio, and capable of driving headphone with highest impedance under lowest 100dB distortion.

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£134.99 inc VAT

£112.49 ex VAT

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• Roy12.12.2012 | 05:57

   

  Excellent SoundWhat can i say, upgraded from Xonar DX to this and wish i have done this before, the sound on the dx was good but this is amazing, playing sounds on music that i didnt think was there, would give 6 stars but cant.24 User found this Review usefullhelpful Review? Yes

• James17.03.2013 | 15:24

   

  Reall ImpressedHave this hooked up to some Acoustic Energy Aego M 2.1 speakers. I know they aren't not the best speakers out there, but this thing makes them sound really really nice.
  
  I'm impressed most playing my guitar through it via IK Multimedia Amplitube.
  Using the ASIO driver set @ 24-bit 2ms it's perfect. I'm getting zero noise on the input even with the highest distortion settings on amplitube. I don't have to touch the noise gate at all.
  
  My old M-Audio Fast Track USB used to squeal and fizz LOADS running distorted settings on amplitube.
  
  I really wasn't expecting it to perform this well as a recording interface.
  
  10/524 User found this Review usefullhelpful Review? Yes

• nylons21.12.2011 | 08:05

   

  Simply The BestFully impressed, without reservations. Equally comfortable drving high quality headphones as it is driving a quality audio system. I use this with a pair of Sony MDR-NC500D headphones and even though headphones aren't really my cuppa, its difficult to argue with the sound. The sound comes into its own with my hifi system, Audiolab 8000c pre amp, bridged power amp section of a Denon 3805 and a pair of TDL RTL 3 loudspeakers. Any system is dependent on its 'source', and this is the very best, very neutral sound, adds nothing and takes nothing away from the original recording, highly recommended if you take your music serious.21 User found this Review usefullhelpful Review? Yes

• Craig19.12.2012 | 20:31

   

  AsioI bought this card a few months ago, it really is great. I dont think you can get much better sound from an on board sound card.
  One of the reviews on here caught my eye. The guy mentioned that the Asus Asio driver has high latency. Well they have since updated the driver and the latency is gone. I have got the latency down to 2ms and even on the busiest projects it doesnt stutter.
  So although this card doesnt come bundled with free production software like many of the other studio sound cards, I would still recommend this card to music producers that are looking for high quality sound and low latency.20 User found this Review usefullhelpful Review? Yes

• Nick21.06.2009 | 15:50

   

  Better than other Xonars by along wayI had the HDAV1.3 previously to buying this one. I just wasn't happy with the quality of my music. I have coupled this card with some Razer 2.1 speakers. The sound quality is superb. I have tried Creative, previous Xonar's and they don't touch this card.
  
  Buy one and you won't be disappointed!19 User found this Review usefullhelpful Review? Yes

• Andy pope31.03.2009 | 18:40

   

  CreatGot the card today it works well loads better than the onbord sound cards even the top end MB's & ten time better that Creative sound !18 User found this Review usefullhelpful Review? Yes

• Lugz19.09.2011 | 19:09

   

  Illegal levels of EPICThis device has just revolutionized my audio collection, tracks that once seemed cluttered now have each sound, pitch, tone, spread further apart on the sound spectrum opening the sound up as if i just took my head out of water.
  
  this will re-invent how you think of your audio collection
  I'm not even exaggerating, this is the single most impressive piece of technology i have purchased recently, or perhaps ever.
  
  everything has a crisp punch at any audio level, i can hear everything... just..
  
  I feel like I'm sat inside the sound, the distortion that queues you that you are listening to something go away entirely i cant even imagine an immersion environment or game on this thing..
  
  you are hurting yourself if you don't buy it and support Asus for making such an unbelievable product
  
  this thing is clearly a labour of love, they even made it look classy.18 User found this Review usefullhelpful Review? Yes

• Milosz24.04.2009 | 16:03

   

  AwesomeTrully amazing sound quality. Best for lossless music. Not so bad for games if in Vista.17 User found this Review usefullhelpful Review? Yes

• Lex Baxter28.12.2009 | 16:48

   

  Sublime sounds for Win7Installation on Windows 7 was totally painless. I got the 64bit Win7 drivers from the ASUS sight & not a single glitch to install.
  I use a set of Klimpsh 2.1 speakers & all I can say is you will be floored by how good music sounds with the STX. Out of the box this card sounds great. When listening to music it has a really full sound field & super clarity. It also has 3 op-amps that you can select from to let you choose the best output to suit the style of music you are listening to, pre-amp or headphone/speaker combinations in use.
  The GUI is simple to use & the EQ really does work. You’ll have the perfect setup in no time at all.
  It has ASIO support but it is not the ideal solution for music creation, (yet). I use WDM driver when using Cakewalk’s Sonar Producer. I get 10ms latency so not really a problem. Hopefully ASUS will improve ASIO drivers soon as that would just push this card to another level in terms of use.
  All I can tell you is that I am completely impressed. Sublime!17 User found this Review usefullhelpful Review? Yes

• Will13.07.2009 | 14:06

   

  Great cardUpgraded to this card from onboard sound. I use headphones for 90% of my gaming and the Dolby heapdhone function as well as the built in headphone amp are fantastic. Such a huge improvement over on board sound.
  
  Installation was quick and simple, software is to easy and setup with little "?" to click on if your not sure what something is.
  
  Note: this sound card requires power so make sure you have a molex connection availible inside your comp.
  
  Not the cheapest card on the market, but for a keen gamer thats looking for good sound and especially head phone users this card is well worth the money.16 User found this Review usefullhelpful Review? Yes

• elijah30.10.2009 | 16:32

   

  FinallyI wont go into the details but I have quite an impressive 2 speaker amp and preamp setup for listening to Music. Im also a UT2004 player lol.
  I replaced my old creative gamer2z soundcard with this asus and Im mindblown
  at the quality of sound this card produces and comparing to the gamer2z makes it seem like an onboard realtec which of course is already night and day.
  The Two left and right RCA analogue outputs are a Godsend if your system connects to a left and right channel preamp which by the way not many cards have.
  conclusion= Truly Amazing soundcard.16 User found this Review usefullhelpful Review? Yes

• DavidC30.04.2009 | 00:27

   

  Great soundAlthough this soundcard seems to be aimed at audiophiles with headphones, it sounds great with speakers. I have teamed the card with a pair of Razer Makos and the sound is very clear and revealing. An excellent combination. I went mad and bought the card having already got a D2X and am happy I did. The sound reproduction in music and talk is very articulate and crisp - altogether excellent. Haven't tried it with games but if you want a card for music this is a fantastic buy.15 User found this Review usefullhelpful Review? Yes

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