Asus STX vs. Creative ZXR + Headphones

HardwareGeek

HardwareGeek

HardwareGeek

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I know this will probably overlap with other threads but i have a slightly different angle on the question, i think..

Wanted an answer to the Asus STX vs. ZXR on 3 levels really..

1) Which is technically the best? from looking at ZXR spec sheet, which doesn't seem to give much detail, hiding something? have they have cut a few corners compared to STX, recording quality for example? (not going to record but is this a sign of cutting corners?)

2) The STX is getting old now, would i be buying into old tech, how long until a new model or the STX loses driver support etc?

3) What is the current state of the drivers for each brand from reading into it seems creative drivers now work ok and Asus is best with modded drivers? Just Want to avoid the grief of previous sound driver nightmares.



At the moment i am left with the 'feeling' that the STX is probably better quality for music/movies, but the drivers and product life will be better with ZXR?


Also want to get a new set of headphones, must be closed, leaning towards senheiser HD 380 pro's unless you can sugest anything better?
 
I have an STX myself and it is fantastic. I have also not had any issues with the drivers. I just downloaded them, installed them, and thats that. No issues to report.

Having never tried the ZxR I can't comment on which is better i'm afraid. I would be inclined to say the Asus.

The fact that the STX is getting as little old (from a PC component standpoint) doesn't really matter. Audio gear progresses at a much slower rate, sound cards included. :)
 
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acme15 said:
The fact that the STX is getting as little old (from a PC component standpoint) doesn't really matter. Audio gear progresses at a much slower rate, sound cards included. :)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply

Was worried reading reviews and some date back to 2008/9, so already 4/5 years which i was thinking even in sound card terms would be coming up to a refresh / losing support etc.
 
I can't see it happening any time soon, it's still a great sound card, it uses the PCI-E standard, I don't see a reason for it to go away to be honest. Though I may be wrong, they may have a new one just around the corner. Its a minefield out there. :p

I bought mine just a few weeks ago. (£90 used on our fabled MM)
 
I have both them soundcards and I think the zxr has better sound quality ...the software Equalizer on the Zxr is much better...the stx sounds rubbish when you start using the EQ.
also ZxR has better bass ...ZXR = better software.

The asus stx has really good surround sound settings tho .. I don't need it as I use headphones mostly

OT... I just bought a little headphone amp called schiit vali , I've had it since Thursday ...its good for the money only cost £90 incl the postage
 
Thanks for the replies guys..

In the end i came to the conclusion that i probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference quality wise between them but thought the ZXR software looked better in reviews and screenshots and will hopefully have longer support with newer product.

Headphones did arrive this morning and even using them with onboard sound atm is much better, just waiting for the zxr to turn up tomorrow.

IMO could use another price bracket at £150 rrp for the 124 db card but without daughter board as i would guess most people will never install the daughter board

Ps. Really hoping it wont turn out to be a mistake trusting creative again!
 
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yes Paul and I didn't have to pay import duty tax :) Its pretty good sound for the money :) the bass is not as strong as the onboard ZxR amp but def it sounds much better.....If you buy one choose FedEx International Priority (comes with tracking)...its between $30 40 for shipping and it only took 2 days !

If you 're gonna use senn hd650 headphones I recommend the DIY bottlehead crack
more tho but the little shiit does drive them ok...(bottlehead crack is very good)
 
i looked at the USA site, and says you have to order via the UK distributor

currently have the 598, but want to upgrade them to the 650 at some point

what is the DIY bottlehead crack ?
 
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this website Paul?
http://schiit.com/products/vali

I just went to order another to see and I still had the option still to ship uk,
did you choose UK AC Adapter Type...then ad order to cart ...click on "shipping rate" postcode select Uk
"FedEx International Priority 1-3 days Tracked and insured $35.05"

If you are going hd650 get a bottlehead crack amp.....Its a DIY self build headphone amp. To build it very easy I've heard ...but I had bottlehead build mine "shawn hifibuilder" but then its works out very expense. Do a little search for reviews
http://www.bottlehead.com/store.php/products/crack-otl-headphone-amplifier-kit

These are meant to be good but I've never heard em ..good for the money
http://www.yuking09.com/pro.asp

Or pick up a secondhand woo audio wa3/ wa6

Don't get the shiit lol if you're going up to hd650 tho
 
ahhh. no i just looked on the FAQ and it said , UK to order through the UK distributor

ill look in to the bottlehead amp, but might not get the 650 for a while, was going to get the modi/vali combo

ill do more reading
 
Yeah :) I don't think the UK distributor has the Vali in stock yet..UK distributor charges more money.

Vali is a good buy.
 
Well ZXR arrived 24hrs late after paying for next day shipping, yodel :( (not from ocuk, they and DPD are brilliant, i must add)

Anyways, after looking at reviews and comments about the hardware being the same on the ZXR vs. STX but just updated and some even saying its better spec'd, installed the card, went to adjust settings and discovered the headline advertised 24bit/192khz is only on the front channel speakers under stereo direct mode only, every other channel is 96khz including headphone output.

So creative has been cutting corners when the STX spec sheet gives all channels and all inputs all at 24bit/192khz :(

Disappointed, not sure if you can hear the difference or not but if i pay top dollar for this card i atleast want it to match the specs of its much cheaper rival.

Lesson learn again about creative, must read the small print everytime :(
 
PS. Just seems weird creative are pushing this with the daughter board for content creation and the input channels are equally lower spec than the STX.

PPS. I know recording in 192 is not necessarily better but for the flagship product the option should be available imo

Anyone know if this is likely to be a hardware issue or software which modded drivers could fix? seeing the output is switched by relay from front to headphone, then most of the circuit must be ok for 192 except after the relay switched to headphone output?
 
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HardwareGeek said:
So creative has been cutting corners when the STX spec sheet gives all channels and all inputs all at 24bit/192khz :(
Disappointed, not sure if you can hear the difference or not but if i pay top dollar for this card i atleast want it to match the specs of its much cheaper rival.
Lesson learn again about creative, must read the small print everytime :(
Click to expand...

:rolleyes:
1)Nothing is 96000hz, hardly anything is 24 bit 48000hz and everything else is 16-bit/44100hz.
2)The STX only has 2 channels, the ZxR has 5.1.
 
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