ASUS
ASUS Xonar Essence STX Sound Card
Best internal upgrade for audiophiles seeking high-fidelity sound customization.
Continue the legendary audiophile legacy with the ASUS Essence STX II sound card. This internal card offers meticulous design and superior musicality, building on years of development. It delivers an industry-leading 122dB SNR and supports 7.1 channel output. Customize your sound signature with swappable op-amp sockets, ensuring ultra-low jitter and a clean power supply for the high-fidelity audio quality discerning listeners expect.
$973.65
Owner Satisfaction
4.5
/ 5
Category Rank
179
/ 439
#179 in Audio Cards & Adapters
Price vs Category Average
-14%
Below average
Interface
1
/ PCIE x
Who it's for
- Audiophiles demanding crystal-clear, noise-free sound reproduction
- Listeners using high-impedance professional studio headphones
- Tinkerers who enjoy customizing their unique sound signature
Who should skip it
- Users who prefer seamless, official software support
- Owners of compact builds with crowded motherboard layouts
- Modern setups requiring USB connectivity or balanced outputs
Performance breakdown
Signal Clarity
Industry-leading SNR provides a pristine, noise-free foundation for high-fidelity listening.
Customization Potential
Swappable op-amp sockets allow users to fine-tune their preferred sound signature.
Headphone Amplification
Powerful integrated amplification drives demanding audiophile headphones with ease and precision.
Jitter Control
Advanced clocking technology ensures ultra-low jitter for accurate digital-to-analog conversion.
Surround Versatility
Robust 7.1 channel support offers immersive audio staging for diverse media setups.
Installation Complexity
Internal PCIe design requires a desktop chassis and basic hardware installation knowledge.
Key Specs
Interface
PCIE x 1
Host Interface
PCI Express
Audio Channel Support
7.1 Channel
Dimensions
6.61 x 4.21 inches
SNR
124dB
Form Factor
Internal Card
Power Source
Bus Powered
Operating System Compatibility
Windows
Features
- Customizable sound with swappable op-amp sockets
- Industry-leading 122dB SNR for exceptional clarity
- Supports 7.1 channel surround sound
- Ultra-low jitter for pristine audio
- Clean and consistent power supply
- Legendary high-fidelity audio quality
- Easy op-amp upgrades included
What customers say
Audiophiles regard the ASUS Xonar Essence STX as a benchmark for high-fidelity stereo playback, consistently praising its pristine, detailed, and warm sound quality. A key strength is the integrated headphone amplifier, which effortlessly powers demanding headphones, delivering exceptional clarity and dynamics. Enthusiasts value the swappable Op-Amp design, allowing personalized sound tuning that enhances the product's appeal. While the core audio performance is exceptional, some users report occasional driver stability issues on newer operating systems. Overall, for those prioritizing pure stereo music fidelity and headphone performance, the Essence STX offers superior results that justify its premium positioning.
Know before you buy
This card uses a standard PCIe x1 interface. It is compatible with most modern motherboards that have an open PCIe slot available.
Yes, the card features swappable op-amp sockets. This allows you to physically replace the operational amplifiers to fine-tune the audio output to your personal preference without needing to solder components.
The Essence STX II is designed for Windows environments. Please ensure you download the latest drivers from the ASUS support site to ensure full compatibility with newer versions of Windows.
While the card is bus-powered via the PCIe slot, it is designed to maintain a clean and consistent power supply for high-fidelity audio. It does not require a separate power cable from your power supply unit.
Yes, the card includes a dedicated high-fidelity headphone amplifier. It is specifically engineered to drive demanding audiophile headphones with clarity and power.
The card supports 7.1 channel output through its software and connectivity options, allowing you to route high-quality audio to multi-speaker setups or home theater systems.
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$974