Asus Xonar STX 2 ... should I return it?

Legojon

Legojon

Legojon

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After a really cr@ppy month last month, I decided to treat myself to an Asus Xonar STX 2 based on all the really good reviews its received. I'm trying to decide on a set of headphones, so borrowed a mates Fidelio X1 headphones. I was really impressed with the sound (especially the bass). Brilliant I thought.

You know how when you get a dead pixel, you can't help but sit and stare at it once you know where it is? Well, when there is no in game noise or a pause in the music, I can hear like a background noise in the headphones. Like a low pitched electronic squealing. And now whenever there's quiet, I know what to listen for and its really annoying me.

After some messing around, I believe its caused by the microphone socket (I have no microphone btw). I say this because when I increase the mic volume in playback settings and put on mic boost, the noise also increases nearly two fold.

I've tried muting all recording devices, disabling them, lowering volume to 0. Onboard sound is disabled. I have no other devices in or out connected. I have the power connected on its own cable from the PSU. I've also removed the front audio case connector. Disconnected and removed the break out card. But I can still hear it.

For just under £200, I'm tempted to return it. But want to exhaust all options to try and fix it.

Should I try plugging the headphones into the break out card? Or does that mean I'm not using the headphone amp then? Is there anything else I can try?
 
I have the STX II 7.1 and X1 as well, and I don't get this issue.

May be you could try using a different PCI-E slot if you haven't already? Just a reminded you don't necessarily need to use the STX II in a PCI-E x1 slot...PCI-E x1 hardware works in PCI-E x16 slot as well...I have mine installed into the lowest PCI-E x16 slot of my board, and my daughterboard into the PCI slots above it for hold it in place.
 
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This is why expensive sound cards are not worth the money in my opinion. While the people that do have issues may be few (in comparison to those who don't), it's too much of a gamble when paying that kind of money, to hope that it will work fine.

A few years ago I was all for recommending such sound cards, but now, it just seems pointless. One guy I remember had a similar microphone issue too with an STX. No matter what he tried, he couldn't solve the problem. No idea what he ended up doing.

I have seen some people say their sound card worked great until they upgraded their graphics card. So someone spends £150-£200 on a high end sound card, then later down the line a new GPU is fitted that produces too much EMI, making the sound card useless. Whether that is common or not, doesn't matter. What matters is that someone has spent £150-£200 on something that may end up being made useless by upgrading other PC components. That's not good enough.

A budget or midrange sound card is more than good enough for people with 5.1 speakers. Those wanting the best stereo sound they can get for their money, would be much better off buying an external DAC/amp. No potential hardware conflicts and no software or EMI issues.

I'd try what Marine suggested, and if you get no joy, I'd return it and say that is not fit for purpose.

If you need the 5.1/7.1 outputs for surround speakers, buy a cheaper card for them. They don't require such an expensive sound card. For the headphones, buy a decent external DAC and amp.
 
STX II and X1 here not noticed this issue.

I have it next to a 290 flashed to a 290x
 
Thanks for all the replies.

So far tonight I've tried with no success:

SVN off / on
All dsp options
GX off / on
I've disabled all inputs and all outputs except headphones

I was going to move the card... but unfortunately my only option is the bottom 16x slot which will apparently disable SLI (board sets to 8/4/4). But I've ordered a riser cable which should arrive Friday and will allow me to move it right to the bottom past the motherboard. At the same time, I plan to unplug motherboard USB connectors (have already disconnected front audio).

BTW... I should also mention, when I first boot I don't get the issue. I can hear it even when on the desktop, but only once the computers warm!?
 
smilertoo said:
My STX has the issue when SVN is enabled (sound boost), turn that off and it's totally silent.
Click to expand...

My STX only started doing this when I added another 290 in crossfire and as a consequence had to change the position of the soundcard to another slot. This is through the front headphone jack so may try switching to the rear headphone jack or perhaps trying another PCI slot.
 
Marsman said:
Headphone amp works with front panel as well.
Click to expand...

it does?

I didn't think it had the connection to make it work.

Edit
Oh lol so it does still wouldn't use it myself as cases use notoriously bad quality everything for their front panels. Heck sometimes they wire them the wrong way round and have to send out Fixes
 
Not ideal to use it really. Probably would have been better if Asus had not made it so the front panel uses the amp, as that means many people will use it because it's easier. Kind of defeats the purpose really of buying a so called 'high end' sound card.

I wonder how many people connect good quality headphones to mediocre output, just because it's easier for them. I certainly remember one guy doing it with HD650's connected to his Z5500 headphone output. If that's not a facepalm moment, I don't know what is.
 
Marsman said:
I wonder how many people connect good quality headphones to mediocre output, just because it's easier for them. I certainly remember one guy doing it with HD650's connected to his Z5500 headphone output. If that's not a facepalm moment, I don't know what is.
Click to expand...

Lol ... seriously ??? OUCH :rolleyes:
 
So, my PCI-E riser cable just arrived... and not one to mess around, I currently have my STX2 balanced on a box outside my PC case. I've cranked the volume up, put the mic up to 100% and switched mic boost on. At that level, I get a tv test card like static, but when I switch off the mic boost, that dies instantly. I don't get any of the electrical noise whilst its outside the case with or without mic boost. I guess that means it was emi then right?
 
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