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HOME » COMPUTER HARDWARE » COMPONENTS » SOUND CARDS » DETAIL
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ASUS Xonar Essence ST 7.1 Channel PCI Sound Card 24BIT Headphone AMP 124DB SNR
ASUS Xonar Essence ST 7.1 Channel PCI Sound Card 24BIT Headphone AMP 124DB SNR
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Reg. Price: $219.99  CAD
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   SKU:  
46390
   Shipping Weight:   1.6 lbs
   Part #: Xonar Essence ST

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 Features    [ Edit | History ] - By David_W @Nov 09, 2009

World's first Precision Clock Tuning for Revolutionary PC Hi-Fi audio



Industry-leading 124dB SNR

Choosing only the best components and finest design, Xonar Essence STX achieves unprecedented 124 dB SNR – 64 times clear than on-board solutions, bringing top-o-the shelf audio experience for audiophiles.


Precision clock tuning for perfect audio

Xonar Essence ST is the world’s first audio card to focus on precision clock tuning to minimize audio jitter. The result is extensive musical details and lively sound image presented for revolutionary experience.


Multi-channel Upgradable

Essence ST is designed to allow full 7.1 surround enjoyment with future upgrade. The high fidelity Xonar H6 multi-channel extension board sold separately in the future provides 120dB signal-to-noise ratio, offering the ultimate surround sound quality ever in the market.


Built-in headphone amplifier

Most quality headphones require extra driving power from amplifier to perform their best, otherwise, they distort and lose details


Driving with Ease and Quality

Xonar Essence STX’s built-in headphone amplifier is ready to drive ANY headphone to it’s full performance stage, with under 0.001% distortion


Designed in Essence to achieve Excellence

EMI-free analog output path
EMI shielding seals all analog output signals perfectly from noise, offering distortion-free audio enjoyment

Independent power for analog signals
Draw additional power from MOLEX ensures the power-sensitive analog signals treated with the cleanest power source

Hyper-Grounding circuitry design
Utilizing multi-layer PCB design to separate audio from noise



 Specifications    [ Edit | History ] - by David_W @Nov 09, 2009
Audio PerformanceOutput 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)
Bus CompatibilityPCI:
PCI v2.2 or above bus compatible
Main ChipsetAudio 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=600Ω, f=1kHz)
Sample Rate and ResolutionAnalog 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
I/O PortsAnalog 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
Driver FeaturesOperation 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
Accessories 1 x S/PDIF optical adaptors

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Messages about ASUS Xonar Essence ST 7.1 Channel PCI Sound Card 24BIT Headphone AMP 124DB SNR

EQ? (Vaughn_M- Jan 07, 13, 0 Replies) Read this message
Asus H6 Analog Daughter Board (Solid-State- Aug 19, 11, 2 Replies) Read this message
What's the difference between these 2? (Angus_M- Aug 19, 11, 10 Replies) Read this message
Finally arrived! after half year of wait... (lxxl™- Jan 10, 10, 13 Replies) Read this message

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Product reviews on NCIX.com are screened for relevance and inappropriate content. Reviews may contain inaccurate information about the product. If there is a discrepancy, please use the Flag this Review link located beside each review. Reviews are not an endorsement expressed by NCIX.com, but opinions from customers based on their own experience with a product. We do not recommend you make purchasing decisions based on facts or opinions expressed in these reviews.
Recommend By
100%
Out of 8 Review(s)
5 star: (7) 
4 star: (1) 
3 star: (0) 
2 star: (0) 
1 star: (0) 
Avg. Rating
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Pier-Luc_S
08/05/12
Experience: 2 Years
Im satisfied with this purchase, bit still it is somewhat expensive. You will need a high quality headseat like sennheiser PC 350 to see the difference. (Read More)

Jay_H
05/09/12
Experience: 1 Days
I have been with on board sound card for several years, OMG this card just rock, makes my APE sounds so good, I really should bought it long time ago. (Read More)

Zer0
08/01/11
Experience: 1 Months
 Verified Owner
Best PC sound card available period. I've been using Creative sound cards since the SB16 and recently replaced an X-Fi Xtrememusic with this. It's my first Xonar and it just blows away the X-Fi. It is hooked up to Logitech Z5300 speakers (front only). It is a 2.1 soundcard (through analog RCA) but it does support digital coax/optical for 7.1. Since I play all my movies on the home theatre, 2.1 is good enough for music and the headphone amp is great for gaming.

(Read More)

Ray_W
07/31/11
Experience: 3 Weeks
 Verified Owner
I've upgraded from an Auzen Prelude to this and am quite happy with the audio performance. The sound is very detailed with a warm signature that isn't fatiguing after extended listening.

(Read More)

Steven_K
04/21/11
Experience: 2 Weeks
 Verified Owner
I love this sound card, I am happy I went this it. (Read More)

Tanner_M
02/03/11
Experience: 1 Weeks
 Verified Owner
For anything looking to buy an STX, do NOT. The Xonar ST actually has better sound quality due to a different way of managing the sound, Other than that they are the same card. NCIX actually has the ST for cheaper than the STX which is rare.

(Read More)

Carlos_B
01/30/11
Experience: 3 Weeks
 Verified Owner
I had creative xfi elite pro and it broke on me 1 year in. creative has horrible customer service and only back up their sound cards with 1 year warranty.

(Read More)

kaybertoss
03/26/10
Experience: 2 Years
 Verified Owner
*Update*

Just built a new Computer Jan 23 2012 from parts off of NCIX and I'm happy to report that the new Motherboard I went with had 2 PCI slots available. (Gigabyte GA-990XA-UD3 AMD 990X AM3+ ATX DDR3 3PCI-E16 2PCI-E1 2PCI SLI SATA3 USB3.0) Placed my card in the new build, installed the drivers for Windows 64bit (old computer was Windows 32bit)and I'm just as happy as the day I bought it. No issues with the 64bit drivers or the new build at all. Now I'm good for a possible 5-6 years with the new rig and sound card. Since my original review I've updated my entire music collection to FLAC, sounds sooooo good! A modest 500 gigs worth. So yes, still a fantastic card and remember to price match kids! (Read More)


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First 30 days limited warranty through NCIX.com. The remainder of the 3 year warranty is provided directly by the manufacturer.

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All ASUS VGA cards purchased after January 1st, 2001 will carry 3 year warranty services from purchase date. ASUS product warranty is based on the serial number printed. First 30 days limited warranty is through NCIX.com. The remainder of the 3 year warranty is provided directly by ASUS. For more details, please visit support.asus.com.

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All ASUS audio cards carry 3 year warranty services from purchase date. ASUS product warranty is based on the serial number printed. First 30 days limited warranty is through NCIX.com. The remainder of the 3 year warranty is provided directly by ASUS. For more details, please visit support.asus.com.

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You have extra protection when they happen to your ASUS notebook purchased in the US or Canada. ASUS will fix it or replace it for you at no charge during the first year after purchase in the event of damage from accidental spills, drops, electrical surges, or fire.

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