Asus Xonar D1 vs Xonar D2X?

Totally Dubbed

Totally Dubbed

Totally Dubbed

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I currently own the D1 for over two years.

I was just curious about the D2X - as it was affordable + has the outputs I want.
I think the ST or STX is overkill for me.
(I'm most definitely not an ASUS fan - in fact quite the opposite)

I know sound is very subjective - however I was curious as to knowing the difference between the cards.
I can see the D2X is "clearer" and uses PCI-E rather than PCI of the D1 - but apart from pretty looks, would it perform differently sonically speaking?

I'm using the D1 on my PC with the Logitech Z-5500's
As for headphones, I use my EPH-O2D as a USB DAC (Which, destroys my D1's sound quality with headphones on)

Any input would be appreciated!
I'm curious more than anything - not really committed to buy anything more right now, but if it is 100% worth it, then I would "upgrade".
 
I doubt you'll notice a big difference between the two, but if you need the outputs then go for it if it's affordable.

Personally, I like having the PCI D2 as it means I don't have to place it directly above/below my GPU as well as not having to connect an extra power cable.
 
The D1 also has a PCIE variant, the DX.

I'm curious as to why you said the D2X has the outputs you want. Unless you need to use the coaxial connection on your Z5500's?

Unless you do need to use coaxial for some reason, then I'd stick with the D1. IMO, it would be a wasted purchase for a couple of reasons.

1. If you are going to use SPDIF (whether it be optical or coaxial), then when talking about sound quality, it doesn't matter what sound card you have. SPDIF does not carry sound it carries data. The DAC (digital to analogue converter) in the Z5500's is responsible for converting that digital data into analogue sound, not the sound card.

2. If you use the direct 5.1 analogue connections on the sound card, then you are using the sound cards DAC and it will be doing the processing, not the Z5500's. While the D1/X and D2/X both have better DAC's than the Z5500's, the D2/X is not enough of an upgrade over the D1/X. The vast majority that have compared the two in a blind test, could not tell between them.

If you must use coaxial input on your Z5500's, then it would be a lot cheaper to buy an optical to coaxial converter.
 
Marsman said:
The D1 also has a PCIE variant, the DX.

I'm curious as to why you said the D2X has the outputs you want. Unless you need to use the coaxial connection on your Z5500's?

Unless you do need to use coaxial for some reason, then I'd stick with the D1. IMO, it would be a wasted purchase for a couple of reasons.

1. If you are going to use SPDIF (whether it be optical or coaxial), then when talking about sound quality, it doesn't matter what sound card you have. SPDIF does not carry sound it carries data. The DAC (digital to analogue converter) in the Z5500's is responsible for converting that digital data into analogue sound, not the sound card.

2. If you use the direct 5.1 analogue connections on the sound card, then you are using the sound cards DAC and it will be doing the processing, not the Z5500's. While the D1/X and D2/X both have better DAC's than the Z5500's, the D2/X is not enough of an upgrade over the D1/X. The vast majority that have compared the two in a blind test, could not tell between them.

If you must use coaxial input on your Z5500's, then it would be a lot cheaper to buy an optical to coaxial converter.
Click to expand...

This is an EXCELLENT reply!
Thank you.

No by outputs I meant vs the ST and STX - which are coaxial connections. Which I don't want or use.

As for how it is plugged in - literally 2 years ago I asked on here, what the difference between analogue vs digital was on the D1 - The answer was as you said - it would by-pass the DAC, and of course having a soundcard, that's kind of useless doing that, unless I had/have a very good DAC/amp instead and put that via optical then to my soundsystem.

Anyway, long story short - I'm connected via analogue.

As for upgrading - that's what I initially thought as well, but thought to ask, just to get several other opinions, as I couldn't find much (if any) info on the 2 cards.
Now you mention the PCI/PCIE thing - I do remember now, and thus if I did another google search of the DX vs D2X, I'll probably find more info :D!

EDIT:
YUP!
tons of more info :D!

Thanks again, this addresses my concerns/queries I had about the D1.
 
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I should update that - I'm actually forced to buy a D2X - due to PCI not fitting on my Sabertooth!

I shall see if there is any real noticeable difference (from memory) from the D1 and D2X
 
Id personally save some cash and just go for the DX over the D2X. I own a DX but ive tried the D2X and couldnt notice any difference in sound quality.
 
setter said:
Id personally save some cash and just go for the DX over the D2X. I own a DX but ive tried the D2X and couldnt notice any difference in sound quality.
Click to expand...

Bang on - I checked quite a lot of forums (including here) and also RMAA results - the difference is so small, that it's mental to pay 2x the price.
Also I read the D2X needs power of some sort as the PCI-E doesn't give it enough?

After I read that, and saw those actual RMAA results - I thought, screw it, stick to what I had, but get the PCI-E version - the DX is ordered via OCUK :)
(plus it was a fiver off this week - can't ask for anything more :D)

I look forward to seeing my baby again!
 
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sunny007 said:
Does the dx or d2x have an headphone amp ?
Click to expand...

One thing to watch out for is that the DX has a connector for the front panel audio (i.e. the PC case's headphone and mic sockets), where the D2X does not. You can still plug headphones into the D2X, but they need to go into the socket where your speakers go so you'll need to swap cables each time to go from speakers to headphones.
 
Confused Stu said:
One thing to watch out for is that the DX has a connector for the front panel audio (i.e. the PC case's headphone and mic sockets), where the D2X does not. You can still plug headphones into the D2X, but they need to go into the socket where your speakers go so you'll need to swap cables each time to go from speakers to headphones.
Click to expand...

out of interest, how would I go around doing that on the fractal case?
Might be a nooby question - but I rather ask :)
 
Totally Dubbed said:
out of interest, how would I go around doing that on the fractal case?
Might be a nooby question - but I rather ask :)
Click to expand...

Not clear on the question (haven't had enough caffeine yet today!). To connect headphones and speakers to a D1/D1X you move the front panel connector - either marked HD Audio or AC97 - from the motherboard onto the connector on the soundcard. Now connect your speakers to the soundcard and your headphones to the front port on the PC. To switch between them simply open the Asus Xonar software and change the output from 5.1 speakers (or whatever) to FP Audio, or vice versa.

On the D2/D2X there isn't a front panel connector, so to switch between speakers and headphones you will need to unplug the green connector from the soundcard and replace it with your headphone jack, then unplug and switch back to go back to speakers.

This is assuming you have simple stereo headphones (i.e. one connector) and not one of the fancy 5.1/7.1 headphones with multiple connectors.
 
WOW - the DX driver/software is a god damn joke.
Thinking of sending it back because it isn't working properly (software) + even has a hiss - through analogue.

ASUS is just the biggest joke of a company - it's simply outstanding how rubbish they are.

EDIT:
Thanks god for custom drivers - unified Xonar.
Asus - you are a joke of a company. You should know this already. Disgusting how this company (asus) operates.
 
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james.miller said:
what was wrong with them?
Click to expand...

Xonar utility would not respond to system changes at first.
Then once i updated it to the latest driver, there was a huge grey screen in the middle of it, rendering it useless to use.
Long story short, asus cocked up.
If it was for the uni drivers, this soundcard would be on its way back to ocuk.
 
Here's ASUS (to the left) at their VERY BEST:


RIGHT SIDE is the unified driver.
Note:
Apart from the grey screen there - look at the volume - I have it on 50% and I can mute (when done the uni driver one shows it - but guess what doesn't)
 
So would you recommend this, i'm considering gettin this but have heard it has a lot of issues but this was quite a while back, would have thought those would have been resolved by now..
 
It was an absolute pain.
If anything, i suggest, getting the card, due to good hardware, but then not even touching the disk, and installing the uni software and drivers.
 
I own the xonar dx (bought around last christmas) and after downloading the latest software from Asus website it worked perfectly right out of the box (running windows 7 64bit). Sound quality is decent too, I get a slight hiss from my front headphone socket but it doesn't bother me. No problems with hissing through the speakers though.
 
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