**Coming Soon ASUS Essence STX II and Essence STX II 7.1 Hi-Fi-Grade Sound **

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Asus have been at the forefront of Soundcards for some years now and this new model seems to aim to keep them in that position with these 2 new cards the Essence STX II and Essence STX II 7.1

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Essence STX II and STX II 7.1 build on the success and huge popularity of ASUS Essence STX – the world’s first consumer sound card to deliver 124db SNR audio clarity plus 600ohm headphone amp, and the long-term holder of the number-one position in Head-Fi’s Sound Cards charts, as voted by highly-satisfied users globally.

Keeping the audiophile spirit and philosophy alive, the new Essence STX II and STX II 7.1 cards both feature a remarkable 124dB SNR for line-out connections and 120dB SNR for headphone listening. Precision clock is controlled by a temperature-compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO) clock source, optimized power delivery is assured with low-dropout (LDO) regulators and WIMA® capacitors deliver balanced sound.

With an amplifier capable of delivering impeccable output for up to 600ohm headphones, an additional gain control for in-ear monitor (IEM) headphones, high-quality MUSES operational amplifiers (op-amps) and an included op-amp swap kit, ASUS once again demonstrates its ability to redefine the sound card market. Essence STX II 7.1 even has the ability to output true 7.1-channel surround sound, via the included simple-to-fit daughterboard.

Commenting on the launch, Ives Chiu, ASUS Product Manager for the Audio Sector in the Multimedia Business Department, said: “Four years after the debut of Essence STX, ASUS remains committed to delivering ever better high-end sound cards to delight the most demanding audiophiles. Drawing on years of experience in developing Essence One, Essence STU and Essence III, Essence STX II delivers meticulous design, quintessential performance and profound musicality — elements that shape the spirit of the whole Essence Hi-Fi series.”



Legendary audio quality that just got better
Essence STX II and STX II 7.1 deliver industry-leading 124dB SNR audio clarity, a much-envied quality inherited from the revolutionary and widely-acclaimed Essence STX sound card — and up to 64 times (64X) better than typical onboard audio hardware. Headphone output reaches a fantastic 120dB.

To attain the essence of sound, ASUS engineers equipped Essence STX II and STX II 7.1 with even more Hi-Fi-quality components. These include a premium TCXO clock source that ensures ultra-low jitter, high-fidelity LDO regulators for consistent linear regulation and German-made WIMA capacitors for a more balanced sound. The profound musicality that Essence listeners expect is encapsulated by celebrated MUSES 8920 and MUSES 8820 op-amps, which deliver true-to-life tonality and spacious sound imaging.

Both Essence STX II and STX II 7.1 benefit from swappable op-amp sockets and come with a swap kit that includes three additional op-amps — two Texas Instruments LME49720s and one MUSES 8820 — that allow users to create different timbres and tonal combinations. The swap kit includes a clamp tool that makes it easy to remove the op-amp microchips.



True 7.1-channel surround sound that’s easy to fit and great to customize
Exclusive to Essence STX II 7.1 is a multichannel daughterboard that delivers true 7.1-channel surround with high-fidelity 120dB SNR outputs. This easy-to-fit daughterboard slides into a slot adjacent to Essence STX II 7.1, so installation couldn’t be more convenient.

Each channel is fully customizable with nine swappable op-amp sockets — giving audiophiles complete freedom to create the perfect surround-sound experience for their ears and listening environment.



Impeccable audio quality that’s all about the details
In their mission to create peerless sound output ASUS audio engineers study and consider all aspects of product design — attention to detail that shines through both Essence STX II and STX II 7.1.

The built-in headphone amplifier supports up to 600ohm impedance — so audiophiles can plug in the finest high-impedance headphones to enjoy the pure quality delivered by Essence STX II and STX II 7.1.

ASUS engineers have also furnished the new cards with an additional gain control designed especially for high-sensitivity IEM headphones, allowing musicians, audio purists and everyday listeners to use snug-fitting earpieces that channel audio output straight to the ear canal — isolating ambient noise for clear sound and undisturbed listening experience.

The cards also benefit from a software package that includes a full version of Dolby® Home Theater, an advanced software suite that turns a PC into a dedicated home-theater center with enhanced surround sound.
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Essence STX II Specifications:-
Channel: Stereo
SNR (signal-to-noise ratio):-
- 124dB (RCA out)
- 120dB (headphone out)
- 118dB (line input)

THD+N (total harmonic distortion plus noise): 0.0003% (-110dB)
Frequency response: 10Hz-90kHz
Sample-rate resolution Up to 192kHz @ 16/24bit

Output impedance:-
- 100ohm (line out)
- 10ohm (headphone out)

Full-scale output voltage
- 2Vrms (line out)
- 7Vrms (headphone out)

Swappable op-amps:-
- 2 x MUSES 8920 (I/V slot)
- 1 x MUSES 8820 (LPF slot)

Connectivity:-
- 2 x stereo RCA out (left/right)
- 1 x 6.3mm(1/4”) headphone out
- 1 x 6.3mm(1/4”) input (line-in/mic-in)
- 1 x S/PDIF Coaxial out
- 1 x Front panel audio header (HD audio/AC 97 compatible)

Dimensions (W x L): 168 x 107mm

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Essence STX II 7.1

Channel: 7.1
SNR (signal-to-noise ratio):-
- 124dB (RCA out)
- 120dB (headphone out)
- 118dB (line input)
- 120 dB (surround out)

THD+N (total harmonic distortion plus noise): 0.0003% (-110dB)
Frequency response: 10Hz-90kHz
Sample-rate resolution: Up to 192kHz @ 16/24bit

Output impedance:-
- 100ohm (line out)
- 10ohm (headphone out)

Full-scale output voltage:-
- 2Vrms (line out)
- 7Vrms (headphone out)

Swappable op-amps:-
- 2 x MUSES 8920 (I/V slot)
- 1 x MUSES 8820 (LPF slot)
- 3 x LM4562 NA (I/V slot of daughter board)
- 6 x JRC 2114D (LPF slot of daughter board)

Connectivity
- 8 x stereo RCA out (front/side/center-subwoofer/rear)
- 1 x 6.3mm(1/4”) headphone out
- 1 x 6.3mm(1/4”) input (line-in/mic-in)
- 1 x S/PDIF Coaxial out
- 1 x Front panel audio header (HD audio/AC 97 compatible)

Software: Dolby® Digital Live/ Dolby® Headphone/ Dolby® Virtual Speaker/Dolby® Pro-Logic II
Included in the box
Op-amp swap kit:-
- 2 x LME 49720
- 1 x MUSES 8820
- 1 x IC clamp

Dimensions (W x L):-
- 168 x 107mm (main board)
- 111 x 102 mm (daughter board)

I will list these as soon as I get some pricing and an ETA.
 
These need power from a floppy connector?
Couldn't they just use a wider pcie slot to get more watts?

why do they insist on PCIEx1 connector ? most people won't be putting them in a PCIE 1x slot anyway?
 
The connector is not that bad but yea it is still annoying to have to route it and buy an extension cable. Considering the H100i wanted one also i had to buy like 3 or 4 cables grr :S


I think i will retain my ST. If i had to upgrade i think it would be the external offerings they have with the muses op amps.
 
arknor said:
These need power from a floppy connector?
Couldn't they just use a wider pcie slot to get more watts?

why do they insist on PCIEx1 connector ? most people won't be putting them in a PCIE 1x slot anyway?
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molex connector and size of slot doesn't change much asides by making it full pci-e they would miss out on compatibility for many people. I don't know why the creative sb don't need them and the ASUS ones do but ho hum.

as for q's about quality it's the Asus Equiv of the titanium HD it is apparently 2db SNR more than the titanium HD so you decide. but unlike the titanium the 7.1 support is a first.
 
Tempted but I think I will hang on to my HD until something more interesting happens. Though interested to hear the muses op-amps

Out of interest - do you get 3.5 to 6.5 converters in the box?
 
Bart_Hunt said:
How does it perform comparing to Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium HD?
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The only negative point of the Titanium HD is, I find, the pitch of the highs is... too high and ear-piercing. Ofc you will need a proper hi-fi amp and headphones to notice this, but its definitely apparent then.

Considering the MUSES 8920 is a good chip I think the success of this card is only a matter of good/bad drivers.

If its around 100GBP it will be a good option for headphones but as the selling point is the 7.1 output I think its gona be sky high priced. Also, I don't think it can compete with other external 7.1 (amp+ speakers set) options available on the market for around 200-300GBP.
 
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Aurhinius said:
Tempted but I think I will hang on to my HD until something more interesting happens. Though interested to hear the muses op-amps

Out of interest - do you get 3.5 to 6.5 converters in the box?
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You get one yes and i believe it is gold plated. Although if you can afford an ST and probably own something good headphone wise you might as well get a proper cable. Headphone slot is 6.5mm on the Xonar.



Also, I don't think it can compete with other external 7.1 (amp+ speakers set) options available on the market for around 200-300GBP.
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Name something around £200 that beats it i remember reading reviews and everyone said it was the best until £300 and you went into seperates? Unless something new came out in the DAC area but i think you get more with the Xonar perhaps. If i had £300 i would be buying the Xonar essence one muses edition and using it for PC and PS4 etc.
 
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I have been hugely impressed with my Asus Essence paired with Sennheiser HD558 - was huge upgrade in sound quality coming from a Xonar D1. If it's again even more impressive with the Essence II, then I may have to think about getting one!
 
I had the xonar essence st and THIS is the upgrade i am waiting for. THE ST has drivers only 10meg in size compared to over 100meg bloatware for the soundblaster

Plus after Creative causing a rift with their customers over the daniel_k incident i will never trust creative for anything ever again-but that is just an opinion.

Kindest Regards

Frost Dragon
 
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