Which SoundCard to buy ? Asus Brand

X7007 · **Memory**: 8GB G.Skill 5-5-5-15 1066

There are so many cards i don't know what to pick, i want Gaming + Movies + Music for Headphones + Logitech 5500 Digital 5.1.

People said about the
Xonar Xense

1. But i don't need the headphones cause i want better ones ? if there are any better than this headphones.

ASUS AV100 High-Definition Sound Processor (Max. 192KHz/24bit)

ROG Xonar Phoebus

2. Still good but people recommend the above Xense instead of this dunno why. they just say too bad Xense comes headphones.

Audio Processor :C-Media CMI8888DHT High-Definition Sound Processor (Max. 192kHz/24bit)

Xonar Essence STX

3. has lesser spec than the above 1+2 124dB compare to the others 118dB and other stuff.

ASUS AV100 High-Definition Sound Processor (Max. 192KHz/24bit)

http://www.asus.com/Multimedia/Audio...r_Essence_STX/

Help

Thanks

Which one xD

killer_939 · 07-01-2012, 01:50 | posts: 2,559 | Location: Australia

Go for Xense and sell the cans if you have/want better but they are meant to be pretty decent. Xense has 5.1 analog out for your speakers so you don't have to use digital and has a decent HP out for your cans.

X7007 · **Memory**: 8GB G.Skill 5-5-5-15 1066

So Asus is gonna be good with default drivers or to use the unified drivers ?
http://brainbit.wordpress.com/2010/0...ified-drivers/

I don't want high DPC Latency and that's mainly the reason i want to change sound card but also cause XFI XtremeMusic is not enough for the headphones i am going to get and also for the digital connections

killer_939 · 07-01-2012, 04:23 | posts: 2,559 | Location: Australia

Quote:

Originally Posted by X7007

So Asus is gonna be good with default drivers or to use the unified drivers ?
http://brainbit.wordpress.com/2010/0...ified-drivers/

I don't want high DPC Latency and that's mainly the reason i want to change sound card but also cause XFI XtremeMusic is not enough for the headphones i am going to get and also for the digital connections

Unified ones are meant to give less issues but i haven't had any problems with either drivers. Why do you want to use digital when the sound card with have great DAC's on it?

X7007 · **Memory**: 8GB G.Skill 5-5-5-15 1066

Ha understand, if i use optical what will happen then ? it will go through the DAC of the Logitech 5500 panel ? so analog is always the best of the best for PC gaming + games and PS3 Console optical + Tv cable channels with optical ?

And i see you have AD700, i want to buy them but i saw on the Head-fi forums that there are AD900 and AD990 Pro or Premium, Which one do you think i should get ? i don't want very expensive but i want something that will work very good with the sound card - Gaming Prio + Movies + Music.

ROBSCIX · 07-01-2012, 04:36 | posts: 16,078 | Location: Guru3D Audio Lab

If you buy a new Asus card don't use optical with the Z-5500's.
You are better to go with analog connections with the Xense or Phoebus.

X7007 · **Memory**: 8GB G.Skill 5-5-5-15 1066

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBSCIX

If you buy a new Asus card don't use optical with the Z-5500's.
You are better to go with analog connections with the Xense or Phoebus.

Ye i get it now, why to Digital - analog - convert when i have Analog directly from the sound card which gives the best performance.

Now i just need to find the Xense cheap and not hell expensive on ebay.

EDIT : Anyway in the forums they tell me to take the STX cause i won't see any difference and STX support 600ohms.

EDIT :: Now i get update that STX doesn't support 5.1 analog so it's not a choice for me at all.

ESlik · 07-01-2012, 09:37 | posts: 1,590 | Location: Sault Ste. Marie Ont. CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by X7007

Ye i get it now, why to Digital - analog - convert when i have Analog directly from the sound card which gives the best performance.

Now i just need to find the Xense cheap and not hell expensive on ebay.

EDIT : Anyway in the forums they tell me to take the STX cause i won't see any difference and STX support 600ohms.

EDIT :: Now i get update that STX doesn't support 5.1 analog so it's not a choice for me at all.

Go with the Xonar Xense bundle. The headphones are really not as bad as you might think. The PC 350's are optimised for the Xense,and provide a decent digital surround. The Xense is also 7.1 analog ready. Just my opinion buddy.

GenClaymore · 07-01-2012, 13:15 | posts: 5,078 | Location: Michigan,usa

The Xonar STX only offers 5.1 thru the Digital Encoders, Which encodes the 5.1 analog signal into digital so your speakers will decode the encoded 5.1 signal. The encoder is needed for gaming in muiti channel over digital. Since games isn't already Encoded.

Personally I would suggest you find a used or open box Xense for cheap if you can, that way you can select a standalone headphone that will do a better job then the PC350.

---TK--- · 07-01-2012, 13:25 | posts: 14,702 | Location: New Jersey, USA

I bought the card in my sig, but its not in my possession yet. Monday maybe? No opinion yet

ESlik · 07-01-2012, 15:17 | posts: 1,590 | Location: Sault Ste. Marie Ont. CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by ---TK---

I bought the card in my sig, but its not in my possession yet. Monday maybe? No opinion yet

I have that card,and I'm curious as to how you like it. I really prefer the Xense.

X7007 · **Memory**: 8GB G.Skill 5-5-5-15 1066

Dolby® Technologies : Dolby® Home Theater v4
Smart Volume Normalizer™
Xear Surround™
Magic Voice™
FlexBass™
GX 3.0 Game Audio Engine

Operation System:
Windows 7/Vista/XP/MCE2005
Dolby® Technologies:
Dolby® Digital Live, Dolby® Headphone, Dolby® Virtual Speaker, Dolby® Pro-Logic II
Smart Volume Normalizer™:
Normalizes the volume of all audio sources into a constant level and also enhances your 3D sound listening range and advantages in gaming
Xear 3D™ Virtual Speaker Shifter:
Virtual 7.1 speaker positioning
FlexBass™:
Professional Bass Management/Enhancement system
Other Effects:
10-band Equalizer/27 Environment Effects
3D Sound Engines/APIs:
DirectSound3D® GX 2.0 & 1.0, EAX®2.0&1.0, DirectSound® HW, DirectSound SW, OpenAL generic modes, 128 3D sounds processing capability
DS3D GX2.5:
GX 2.5 supports EAX gaming sound effects and Di rectSound 3D hardware enhanced functions for more games on Windows XP/Vista/7. (DirectX/DirectSound 3D compatible)

Don't they have the same things ? GX2.5 GX3 Theater V4 , what do i actually need ?

EDIT :: I'll just go for Phoebus that's it, it looks like it gives me everything and i'll buy headphones alone

Btw where is the digital output ? i don't see it

flimbo · 07-01-2012, 19:01 | posts: 671 | Location: UK

Quote:

Originally Posted by X7007

Xonar Essence STX

3. has lesser spec than the above 1+2 124dB compare to the others 118dB and other stuff.

I was under the impression that the STX and ST were the highest specced Xonar cards?

ROBSCIX · 07-01-2012, 19:29 | posts: 16,078 | Location: Guru3D Audio Lab

Quote:

Originally Posted by flimbo

I was under the impression that the STX and ST were the highest specced Xonar cards?

They are, the Xense and the new Phoebus are gamer cards.

Tacoboy · **Phoebus/DT990 -** 07-03-2012, 05:22 | posts: 185 | Location: Calif.

Asus Phoebus sound card and Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro 250-Ohm.

gamerk2 · 07-07-2012, 21:05 | posts: 2,063 | Location: Medford, NY

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tacoboy

Asus Phoebus sound card and Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro 250-Ohm.

I have a Xense and *had* the BD DT-770's [250 Ohm], and they were amazing...until they broke [twice].

I've consistently heard the Xense is preferred over the Phoebus, even though at first glance the Phoebus has slightly better specs. Maybe Opamps are comming into play, and its a sound signature issue?

[ROB, Phoebus review comming alone?]

Also, ASUS has a page somewhere on their website that lists the specs of all its cards side by side; I've got it favorited on my work PC, but not my home PC for some reason. Might want to find that page and give it a look over.

ROBSCIX · 07-08-2012, 19:58 | posts: 16,078 | Location: Guru3D Audio Lab

I really like the Phoebus overall. You will have to wait and find out why in the review.

Octopuss · 07-09-2012, 11:41 | posts: 82

Any rough estimate about the publish date?

ESlik · 07-09-2012, 15:38 | posts: 1,590 | Location: Sault Ste. Marie Ont. CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBSCIX

I really like the Phoebus overall. You will have to wait and find out why in the review.

How does the Phoebus compare to the Xense? Can you talk about that in your review? Thanks.

ROBSCIX · *Last edited by ROBSCIX; 07-09-2012 at 18:08.*

Quote:

Originally Posted by ESlik

How does the Phoebus compare to the Xense? Can you talk about that in your review? Thanks.

The review is already finished. When I review, I grade a card on it's own merits.
Didn't you say you have both cards, why do you need my opinion for something you can test yourself?

gamerk2 · 07-09-2012, 20:54 | posts: 2,063 | Location: Medford, NY

http://event.asus.com/multimedia/xonar/find.htm

That should help a bit.

HardOCP has a review of the DXG, DXS, and Phoebus. They loved the first two. The Phoebus, not so much. They really did NOT like the new interface and Dolby Home Theatre setup.

http://hardocp.com/article/2012/07/0...us_sound_cards

ROBSCIX · *Last edited by ROBSCIX; 07-09-2012 at 21:41.*

Well the new interface goes with the new chipset and I find it very easy to use and it fixes many shortcoming of the original driver sets.

The newer chipset offers many features not present in the Xense or other older cards using the 8788 chipset so the new chipset requires a new driver. As with any driver set some people like them and some people don't.

However, if you are used to the older driver style or not willing to spend time to learn the new layouts and window locations you might not like the new driver so much.

Same thing with the DHT4, it is an effect so some will like it and some will not.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Octopuss

Any rough estimate about the publish date?

The release date for reviews is the job of the editors but it should be any day now.

ESlik · 07-09-2012, 23:08 | posts: 1,590 | Location: Sault Ste. Marie Ont. CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBSCIX

The review is already finished. When I review, I grade a card on it's own merits.
Didn't you say you have both cards, why do you need my opinion for something you can test yourself?

Yes I do have both cards. You mentioned you like the Phoebus overall. I was just curious as to what you mean by overall. Your opinions are valued by me,and I thought a comparison to the Xense would be interesting. Thanks again.

ROBSCIX · 07-09-2012, 23:12 | posts: 16,078 | Location: Guru3D Audio Lab

Quote:

Originally Posted by ESlik

Yes I do have both cards. You mentioned you like the Phoebus overall. I was just curious as to what you mean by overall. Your opinions are valued by me,and I thought a comparison to the Xense would be interesting. Thanks again.

Just comparing all points of both cards, I like the Phoebus better overall.
I like the new chipset a bit better for the features it offers over the 8788 chipset. Do you not notice any major differences in the drivers?
There are quite a few differences and features that I noticed.

ESlik · 07-10-2012, 01:20 | posts: 1,590 | Location: Sault Ste. Marie Ont. CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBSCIX

Just comparing all points of both cards, I like the Phoebus better overall.
I like the new chipset a bit better for the features it offers over the 8788 chipset. Do you not notice any major differences in the drivers?
There are quite a few differences and features that I noticed.

There are indeed differences and features,however I found the the gaming pre-sets in the Phoebus a bit too involved in finding a setting I really like. The smart EQ settings etc. are not as precise as the Xense driver software. With the Xense,I can click on a game pre-set and don't have to tweak anything else. A bit more simple in my opinion. That being said,I haven't given up on the Phoebus. I'm sure once I find the proper EQ and other settings etc., maybe the Phoebus will be a card I could keep for a while. Meantime,I like the ease of setting up the Xense to my liking. I was going to sell the Phoebus,but I think I'll hang on to it for a while. At the end of the day,both cards are pretty damn good. New drivers are supposed to be released any time now.