Asus Xonar Essence One, next month.

Firegod · 23 Oct 2011 at 15:43

Looks good! OK, time for a silly question.

For me, I output from my D2X to my Amp, then to my speakers. Would this device slot in between the sound card and amp? So it would go, Sound card > DAC > Amp > Speakers?

If so, am I correct in saying I can output from the D2X via Coax into the Coax input on the back of the Essence One, then use the balanced XLR outputs to finally go into my Amp (i.e. XLR to RCA cable).

I was looking at the USB connection and got confused, as I thought, why would I use that to get sound from my Soundcard? I guess, for my scenario, I wouldn't use the USB connection?

Thanks.

jalyst · 23 Oct 2011 at 15:47

.....

Firegod · 27 Oct 2011 at 18:49

Firegod said:
Looks good! OK, time for a silly question.

For me, I output from my D2X to my Amp, then to my speakers. Would this device slot in between the sound card and amp? So it would go, Sound card > DAC > Amp > Speakers?

If so, am I correct in saying I can output from the D2X via Coax into the Coax input on the back of the Essence One, then use the balanced XLR outputs to finally go into my Amp (i.e. XLR to RCA cable).

I was looking at the USB connection and got confused, as I thought, why would I use that to get sound from my Soundcard? I guess, for my scenario, I wouldn't use the USB connection?

Thanks.

Bump. Anyone able to help?

Marsman · 31 Oct 2011 at 13:21

Yeah, you can add the Essence One in between the D2/X and your amp.

You would only use the USB if you didn't have a sound card, or didn't have any SPDIF connection on the motherboard, or maybe a laptop.

Firegod · 31 Oct 2011 at 17:46

Marsman said:
Yeah, you can add the Essence One in between the D2/X and your amp.

You would only use the USB if you didn't have a sound card, or didn't have any SPDIF connection on the motherboard, or maybe a laptop.

Thanks!

Firegod · 31 Oct 2011 at 18:16

Just done a quick hunt on Google Shopping, looks like no where has this in stock, and we're nearly into November. :confused:

Marsman · 31 Oct 2011 at 19:16

Yeah, I had a look, and only found a few sites which had it listed. No stock though, as you say.

When was the supposed release date, if one was given?

Firegod · 31 Oct 2011 at 19:47

Marsman said:
Yeah, I had a look, and only found a few sites which had it listed. No stock though, as you say.

When was the supposed release date, if one was given?

I think Asus said it would be out September.

jalyst · 7 Nov 2011 at 02:29

I'm on weekly subscription to this thread, I see there was no response from james (in a direct sense) to my post (below).
Just reposing, as James originally responded to a post I had not yet finished editing.

Rofflay said:
Im confused lol so there is loss then when converting 8 chan blu-ray tracks into 2 chan lpcm? how much 30% 50%?

TBH it seems there is no way of getting it into headphones without losing something.Even if a dedicated amp with headphone socket did send it all bit perfect you would still lose sound quality from not having a headphone amp either and using thier crappy cheap headphone ports.I was told amps dont go headphones that well.

Its been the scourge forme personally.I want perfect HD audio into my headphones dammit!

Well that's not what james was saying. Assuming his figures are right...
Surprisingly, one can down-sample all 8 channels to 2ch LPCM, & not have appreciable loss.
I questioned him as-to-whether most HD audio content is that light /channel.
But I never got a response, so I assume it's pretty accurate....

I'm just not sure if it retains all it's original surround properties*, guess it depends on the quality of the HTRF used.
A HTRF algorithm (Dolby Headphones etc) basically allows for multichannel surround over 2-channels.
I wasn't aware when the PS3 down-mixes from multichannel to 2ch, that it does so using DH or similar.
If it does then great, you & I can have what we're looking for...
If it doesn't, just pass it through an AVR or DD/DTS5.1 adapter that does simulated surround, & that'll do the trick.

I guess when applying HRTF, that's where some *perhaps* appreciable loss can occur.
But I'm not sure it really matters much in real-world terms???
Except that spatial placement may feel a bit off, & orig. fidelity may be very slightly depleted?

*in practical/perceivable terms

Yaayuh! · 7 Dec 2011 at 18:30

So The Asus Xonar One is out and about (no stock yet but up on sites), over £300 mind!

When is Overclockers UK getting it? Before i go to a competitor.

Firegod · 7 Dec 2011 at 19:26

Rossi~ said:
So The Asus Xonar One is out and about (no stock yet but up on sites), over £300 mind!

When is Overclockers UK getting it? Before i go to a competitor.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking too. From what I've read it's a very decent piece of kit! I'll drop this thread into the Product Suggestion area and cross my fingers and toes.

Firegod · 14 Dec 2011 at 17:29

Anybody bought one yet? Few places with stock now wanting ~£330. I've put a product suggestion in for OCUK, not sure if anyone staff have read it though.

joeyjojo · 15 Dec 2011 at 21:04

For that money I'd be getting a Cambridge Audio DACMagic Plus.