ASUS Xonar Xense or Xonar HDAV1.3

chefso1

chefso1

chefso1

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Although seeing Xonar Xense (which was bundled with Sennheiser PC350) IN CeBIT, I haven't heard much about this after that and can't make sure whether Xense will be available soon. However, I now want to upgrade my Audio card and, as a Xonar DS user with great experience, I still keep my eye on Xonar Series.

What do you guys think about that? Wait for Xonar Xense Sennheiser buddle or just go or Xonar HDAV1.3 Deluxe?
 
They are completely different. What are your reasons for wanting either card? The HDAV's primary use is to connect to an AV receiver that supports Dolby TrueHD etc. The Xense has a headphone amplifier, so is best used with headphones, hence the bundled ones.
 
Thank you guys, now I have a much clearer picture of difference between Xonar HDAV 1.3 and Xonar Xense (or Essence STX/ST). To tell the truth, the reason that I wanna wait the new model is the thinking that the latest version must have the most powerful function. It seems I’m totally wrong in this case.

I think I’ll be more likely to select Xonar HDAV 1.3. Since it is a true trend that more and more Blu-ray movies/music will become available, selecting an audio card supporting(strictly speaking, bitstreaming) Blu-ray format would not go too wrong. Is that right?
 
the differences are in the environmental audio (DS3D GX), the Essence can emulate EAX 5.0, the HDAV can emulate EAX 2.0, other differences are in Audio clarity, where the HDAV is king.

for games, go for Xense, for blu rays and HD quality audio and compete HD support, go for HDAV 1.3

also, if you connect to your speakers via an optical cable, you can safely ignore the HDAV 1.3 Deluxe version and go for the normal HDAV 1.3 (as the deluxe only supplies you with a Xonar H6 sisterboard for connecting to analog audio jacks), you will save yourself about £50
 
Really? The Essence's superior dedicated headphone amp and analogue out stage aren't good reasons then? ;)
 
Only if you need a dedicated headphone amp. Such as no speaker system, otherwise it is a gimmick, a decent speaker system sometimes comes with a headphone socket, where the speaker system amplifies the signal for you.

an example of this is the logitech Z5500, you can connect your headphones straight to the Z5500's control panel.

So if you were a headphone user, that would be the only reason to get an Essence.

I'm really trying to avoid ranting on, but the HDAV 1.3 has many more desirable features, it is a better card regardless.
 
I'll not argue - but you appear to disagree with every pro review I've seen of the two. The Essence cards are better for stereo. The ST is better than the HDAV if you're using any analogue connection including 7.1.

The HDAV is better if you want to use Dolby TruHD etc over protected HDMI to an external receiver.

Horses for courses.
 
I've never use an analogue connection with the HDAV, only optical spdif and the HDMI, which I've based what I said from experience. So you're more than likely to be right about the analogue quality
 
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BinaryBoy said:
Only if you need a dedicated headphone amp. Such as no speaker system, otherwise it is a gimmick, a decent speaker system sometimes comes with a headphone socket, where the speaker system amplifies the signal for you.

an example of this is the logitech Z5500, you can connect your headphones straight to the Z5500's control panel.

So if you were a headphone user, that would be the only reason to get an Essence.

I'm really trying to avoid ranting on, but the HDAV 1.3 has many more desirable features, it is a better card regardless.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry but you do not know what you are talking about. You say that if the user does not need the dedicated headphone amp, the Essence card is a gimmick. So if someone has speakers with a headphone socket, there is no need to have the Essence? You try a pair of high impedance headphones like Sennheiser's HD600 and connect them to some speakers with a headphone socket, and see what happens.

Secondly, the HDAV is clearly the better card? The HDAV is a gimmick, at least now it is. Why on earth would someone buy such an expensive card such as the HDAV, when a Radeon 5 series GFX card can pass on Dolby TrueHD etc to an AV amp?
 
Marsman said:
Secondly, the HDAV is clearly the better card? The HDAV is a gimmick, at least now it is. Why on earth would someone buy such an expensive card such as the HDAV, when a Radeon 5 series GFX card can pass on Dolby TrueHD etc to an AV amp?
Click to expand...

If they want to send game audio etc or do anything remotely cleverer than pass on audio from Blu Rays.

Bit of a niche product really.
 
Marsman said:
I'm sorry but you do not know what you are talking about. You say that if the user does not need the dedicated headphone amp, the Essence card is a gimmick. So if someone has speakers with a headphone socket, there is no need to have the Essence? You try a pair of high impedance headphones like Sennheiser's HD600 and connect them to some speakers with a headphone socket, and see what happens.
Click to expand...

....in which case you'd need a dedicated amp
 
BinaryBoy said:
Only if you need a dedicated headphone amp. Such as no speaker system, otherwise it is a gimmick, a decent speaker system sometimes comes with a headphone socket, where the speaker system amplifies the signal for you.

an example of this is the logitech Z5500, you can connect your headphones straight to the Z5500's control panel.

So if you were a headphone user, that would be the only reason to get an Essence.

I'm really trying to avoid ranting on, but the HDAV 1.3 has many more desirable features, it is a better card regardless.
Click to expand...

No i believe the HDAV has more in common with the older D2 and D2X series of cards than the newer ST/STX, the STX is a superior card.

This new xense appears to be simply an STX with analogue 7.1 capability, a nice step up for those with a D2X i guess.
 
Uriel said:
Marsman said:
Secondly, the HDAV is clearly the better card? The HDAV is a gimmick, at least now it is. Why on earth would someone buy such an expensive card such as the HDAV, when a Radeon 5 series GFX card can pass on Dolby TrueHD etc to an AV amp?
Click to expand...
If they want to send game audio etc or do anything remotely cleverer than pass on audio from Blu Rays.

Bit of a niche product really.
Click to expand...

Yes, very true, I did forget that. It was a rushed comment with lack of thought. Accusing BinaryBoy of not knowing what he is talking about, was a bit harsh, so I must apologise for that. Seems I know as much about the HDAV cards, as he does about the Essence. :p
 
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BinaryBoy said:
a decent speaker system sometimes comes with a headphone socket, where the speaker system amplifies the signal for you.

an example of this is the logitech Z5500, you can connect your headphones straight to the Z5500's control panel.

So if you were a headphone user, that would be the only reason to get an Essence.
Click to expand...

My Nad C352 amplifier and B&W 603s is a decent speaker system. That doesnt have a headphone socket. Im sure they will make the Z5500 sound poor in comparision

I used headphones a while ago but only use the speakers and amp now. The Essence is much better suited to 2.0 stereo, so much so that a lot of audiophiles on head-fi and avforums have bought the essence over dedicated DACs

In short the Essence is great for stereo sound and the HDAV for 'AV'

I dont know anything about the Xense but am guessing its based on the Essence. If you require surround then you should be able to pick up the daughter board for the Xense, like you can with the Essence (H6)
 
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