Xonar DX or SB Recon3D?

[DrHycodan]

I've heard a lot about the Xonar DX and that it's a very good audio card for the money. However, I haven't heard much about the new Recon3D, all I've heard is that it's the successor to the X-Fi xtrememusic and that it uses a new quad core SPU that's supposed to be killer. Any opinions on which card is better?

[TyrantofJustice]

I would also like to know opinions on these two cards.

[Agent-A01]

quad core cpu is gimmick imo. dx is a great affordable card, i have one, cant comment on the other.

[gamerk2]

Spec wise, the Recon3D is junk. And a LOT of people who moved from X-fi cards have stated the X-fi lineup was better.

I think the DX is clearly a superior card.

[DirkHardpeck]

I have a Recon3d, the surround emulation for stereo headphones is excellent and I have been told my mic sounds the clearest through that card. Oh and the drivers work very nicely (you can swap between headphones and speakers without unplugging anything, for instance).

After that, its all downhill. The actual sound quality is lacking, which is one of the reasons you usually buy a soundcard. I'd stay away.

[Tacoboy]

In general the Asus Xonar DX (D1) is a good card, but not great for driving headphones.
If you paired it with an external headphone amplifier, it's a great combo.

[headoncollision]

I had the recon3d pcie version, as DirkHardpeck said, its a great gaming sound card for positional audio and its drivers are troublefree, but ONLY FOR GAMING with headphones, this card is an upgrade from onboard in terms of gaming, music and movies won`t sound as a discrete sound card at this price point should sound like. you can also check asus xonar phobeus, there are some compains about drivers but its still fresh so asus will probably release a new driver update in few months.

here is a link
http://www.amazon.com/Xonar-Phoebus-...7854588&sr=1-9

I was checking amazon today and to my surprise it was finally stocked.

[ROBSCIX]

Xonar DX, has better specifications IIRC.

There are many cards out there though, are you looking at these cards because of budget?

[Rob McClelland]

If you want Titanium cards are good

[Anarion]

Originally Posted by ROBSCIX

Xonar DX, has better specifications IIRC.

There are many cards out there though, are you looking at these cards because of budget?

It has by far better SNR and probably everything else.

[DirkHardpeck]

The Recon3d, especially the Fatal1ty version, isn't even a budget card is the sad thing! It just sounds like one.

[GhostXL]

Take the Xonar DX2. Much better card over the Recon3D.

Supports higher hz and the clarity is amazing, and SNR as others mentioned. I've been using mine for well over a year and love it.

The card supports Dolby headphone mode, which sounds just amazing.

[Nobody of value]

I just bought a Xonar Essence STX last week, not sure if anything is parallel between the two, but this card sounds freakisly good. Creative has become a joke, maybe one card of all releases in a year is worth a crap, and even then, the Xonar's whoop 'em big time.

If you can swing it, get a, Essence STX, though the DX will do just fine. Got mine on sale with a redeemed $20 gift card for $143.

Do it man, you'll love it.

[ROBSCIX]

It doesn't take much to surpass the specifications of the Recon, considering they are not very high in comparison to what is available from other companies.
If sound quality is your end game, look elsewhere.