Replacing Xonar Essence STX

[Razargh]

Hi Guys,

So my Xonar has given up the ghost out of the blue. Turned on the PC this afternoon after logging out last night with everything working. Today there is no sound. I have removed all the drivers, checked windows settings and checked the Uni-Xonar C-Panel. It is showing audio playing on the Mixer but you can only faintly hear it above the static being produced. I popped off the cover on the Xonar and one components seemed to be halfway out of its socket. I re-seated it and inspected the rest of the card and couldn't see any obvious damage.

So I pretty much think its died.

So now i'm in the market for a new sound card or an external alternative.

I use my PC mainly for Gaming, Music, Films etc but i also dabble in music production.

I currently use AKG K7XX's Headphones and I have a pair of Corsair SP2500 speakers which were previously connected via RCA.

Does anyone have any recommendations for External or Internal Solutions?

I would prefer if it has the option to connect headphones via 1/4 inch jack and would support Dolby with upscaling?

Any help appreciated.

-Raz

 

[Razargh]

Perhaps the component that had popped out was an op-amp? I remember the STX had the ability to change op-amps to customize the sound signature of each output. Do you hear static from all the outputs?

Here is a picture of an STX II but its practically the same.

https://imgur.com/cYKIsNH

I have circled the part that was out of place.

I am currently using an old Creative X-Fi Titanium but If i switch the Xonar back in the sound is basically only just audible and you can hear static through the headphones.

I have to have my speakers/headphones on max just to even slightly hear it.

I have decided to go for the EVGA Nu Audio to give it a shot as i think I will use Dolby Atmos for Headphones from now on and I don't mind missing the Dolby stuff on the speakers as they are only 2.1 and i never found the virtual surround much better than standard.

-Raz

 

[Razargh]

That's opamp.
Should be JRC2114/NJM2114’.
https://www.guru3d.com/articles-pages/asus-xonar-essence-stx-soundcard-review,9.html

Those sockets maintain contact even if opamp is couple millimeters higher.
.

Mine was stuck out at a 45 degree angle and two pins didn't seem to be contacting anything.

I plugged it back in but still the sound is extremely quiet barely audible and their is a fair amount of static which was never present before.

I cant see any other noticeable damage but when I get home I'll take a couple pics so that someone who is clued in may spot something i have missed.

-Raz

 

[Razargh]

Hi Guys,

Here are the images. https://imgur.com/a/3AKDvcx

I think there is some damage in the first image but apart from that I cannot see anything obvious.

The opamp had the 4 pins on the right side out of the socket (3,4 5,6?) but maybe not fully so they may have still been contacting.

If I could repair it that would be great.

I really don't understand how it happened tbh It was working the night before.

 

[Razargh]

Thanks for taking a look EsaT.

I was worried about the green on the end of that pin and the square below where it looks like something has came off or corroded.

Tbh though I am unsure how long its been that way as I have been putting off cleaning my machine the last couple months.

I just got the EVGA NU Audio so i'll give that a go for now and see if I can get the other working in my test rig.

 

[Razargh]

Do tell your findings...

Well I like the EVGA Nu Audio, already noticed a difference in the crispness of the sound. The software needs a bit of work and but the latest update added a compressor, surround sound effects and now allows you to mute the headset or speaker which is good. Could still do with a lot of work but from reading the EVGA forums they are working hard on updating it and adding features.

I thought I wouldn't miss the Dolby Virtual Speaker but it does add some depth to sound but in stereo mode the sound is very clean and quite vibrant. I have found if I set the mode above 24bit 192Khz i do get static on audio or sometimes it does sound a little fuzzy but I need to test this more.

I still need to give my headphones a longer test. I think I need to get used to not using Dolby Headphone but everything does sound more vibrant but so far I don't know how i feel about the positional audio compared to the STX.

As for trying to fix the Xonar I have had no luck.

 

[Razargh]

That's corrosion, look at the other pin next to the one with the green goop on it - the joint is eaten away. Possible corrosion on one pin of the aux-in connector and also, front side of the card the cap and 8 pin chip just above and to the left of the pci-e slot - looks like damage to me.

Nice spot I didn't see that!

I think I know what has caused the issue and it is most likely a result of vapor from my ecig.

I'm going to give my H100 a once over also as its 6 years old. I am starting to worry about it failing so it may be time to replace.

 

[Razargh]

Assuming that is possible.. If vapour from an ecig can do that, what else would be effected? Can't see vapour being selective of only the sound card...

Sometime's I have noticed it condense inside the case but i have never has any issues till now.

The Xonar was in the first slot on the mobo so anything dripping from the top of the case would possibly contact that first.

Like i said previously I'm going to give the machine a full service on the weekend to see what I can find.

 

[Razargh]

Recently got this sound card for a little try, compared to an x ae 5 it sounds a bit dull to me, like a flattened sound. what settings do you use for gaming and what do you set the gain on?

The card is very neutral I have found. I've noticed I have had to turn up the sound on my speakers when listening but I also use the EQ on SP2500 to give it a bit more warmth and dynamics when listening to music. For my music production it actually performs a lot better as nothing seems to be tainted.

For gaming I have resorted to using Dolby Atmos for Headphones over the 3D sound in the Nu Audio App just because it seems to work better for me.

Overall I am happy with the card but it does seem to take more tinkering to find the right settings compared to the STX which was great out of the box.

Personally I think for gaming you would be better off with an STX 2 or Soundblaster just for ease of use.

I still haven't made up my mind about the card fully but I have been listening to a lot of music and it does feel a lot cleaner and neutral.

You can pretty much crank it up to full and there is little distortion. Although i found running it any higher that 24bit 192k really messes up the sound.