Asus Xonar D2X - Quick questions (included cables)

Fenris · 14 Aug 2009 at 09:13

Just considering of buying a Xonar D2X but want to check something, I have heard it comes with an optical audio cable, however the pictures I have seen of it shows that the cable has long/thin ends, rather than the ususal small and thick one I've seen before.

Now, is this just an adaptor that can be removed or is it permanent?

Basicaly I want to use an optical connection from my 360 to the my Z5500 speakers.

Any help would be great.

smelf1 · 14 Aug 2009 at 09:25

I am using my own optical cable from my xonar d2x to my z5500's and it works fine.

Fenris · 14 Aug 2009 at 09:52

smelf1 said:
I am using my own optical cable from my xonar d2x to my z5500's and it works fine.

not...quiite what I was asking there, what I need to know is about the *included* optical cable, i.e if I need to buy another one sperately or not.

smelf1 · 14 Aug 2009 at 10:11

i will have to look later when i am home but from what i can remember it was too short.

Fenris · 14 Aug 2009 at 11:03

smelf1 said:
i will have to look later when i am home but from what i can remember it was too short.

Thanks mate, length isn't a problem for me as the controller will be right next to where the cable is going, just need to know about the connections on the optical lead.

Uriel · 14 Aug 2009 at 12:02

Yes it's just a standard adaptor. They come with the soundcard.

Fenris · 14 Aug 2009 at 12:17

Uriel said:
Yes it's just a standard adaptor. They come with the soundcard.

Ah brilliant, means I won't have to order another cable.

Thanks for the help.

RS_Maverick · 18 Aug 2009 at 17:22

It's an odd setup. There's a single digital output on the back of the card which is coaxial-shaped. At the centre of the port, there is a laser/LED which outputs optical digital via the long ended cable you have mentioned. Alternatively, a standard coaxial cable can be used to output via copper. The other end of the cable is standard toslink.

I found the analogue outs on the card to be far better than the digital, even when trying the DTS connect etc. Maybe it's just my ears though!

Have you considered the more expensive but more feature-rich HDAV cards? They're the only way to get true lossless audio from Blu-Ray on PC at the moment.

Uriel · 18 Aug 2009 at 17:35

RS_Maverick said:
I found the analogue outs on the card to be far better than the digital, even when trying the DTS connect etc. Maybe it's just my ears though!

Sound quality via digital is dependent on the DAC / Receiver, rather than the soundcard.

rob_banks · 18 Aug 2009 at 19:08

hi guys dont want to hijack the thread but thought as its on the same subject

basically i want to buy this card but im aware i need a molex to floppy cable to run this card

and i dont think my power supply came with one

can anyone suggest where i can buy this cable plz

any help would be much appreciated

cheers

RS_Maverick · 18 Aug 2009 at 21:22

Uriel said:
Sound quality via digital is dependent on the DAC / Receiver, rather than the soundcard.

I run it through an Onkyo 606 which to me does an excellent job of DAC on Dolby/DTS and HD formats from DVD/Blu-Ray sources. There are probably better DACs in more expensive amps, but I think the Onkyo preforms pretty well. Certainly through this system, I prefer the analogues.

Uriel · 18 Aug 2009 at 21:27

It's testament to how good the analogue path in the Xonar D2 and D2X are though. There's some serious bang for buck there.

shaz` · 18 Aug 2009 at 21:43

Just got a D2X myself as the onboard sound card on my RIIE wasn't sounding too great going through my Primare amp. This card has transformed the sound of music from PC -> amp... can't recommend it enough!