ASUS
Asus ESSENCE STX II Sound Card
Best premium audio upgrade for serious audiophiles and PC enthusiasts.
Experience unparalleled audio fidelity with this high-end internal sound card. Designed for audiophiles and gamers, it delivers exceptional sound quality through an industry-leading 124dB SNR and ultra-low jitter. Enjoy pristine audio reproduction thanks to a clean power supply featuring LDO regulators and WIMA capacitors. The integrated headphone amplifier effortlessly drives high-impedance headphones, while an exclusive op-amp swap kit allows for personalized sound tuning. Immerse yourself in rich, detailed sound for music, movies, and gaming.
$973.65
More Xonar Essence Options
Owner Satisfaction
4.5
/ 5
Category Rank
336
/ 1239
#336 in Audio Cards & Adapters
Price vs Category Average
-14%
Below average
Mfr Part Number
ESSENCE STX II
/ ESSENCE STX II
Who it's for
- Audiophiles seeking uncompromised sound quality
- Headphone enthusiasts with demanding high-impedance models
- Audio enthusiasts who enjoy fine-tuning their listening experience
Who should skip it
- Budget-conscious users or those satisfied with integrated audio
- Casual listeners or users without high-fidelity playback gear
- Users with limited internal PC space or preference for external solutions
Performance breakdown
Audio Fidelity
Industry-leading signal-to-noise ratio delivers exceptionally clean and detailed sound reproduction.
Headphone Amplification
Robust power output effortlessly drives high-impedance audiophile headphones with ease.
Customization Potential
Included op-amp swap kit offers unique sound tuning for discerning listeners.
Component Quality
Premium WIMA capacitors and LDO regulators ensure stable, interference-free power delivery.
Surround Sound Processing
Comprehensive Dolby suite provides immersive spatial audio for movies and gaming.
Digital Precision
Ultra-low jitter clock source maintains perfect timing for high-resolution audio files.
Key Specs
Mfr Part Number
ESSENCE STX II
Audio Interface
PCI Express
Chipset
Audio Processor - ASUS AV100 High-Definition Sound Processor (Max. 192KHz/24bit)
Output Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-Weighted) (Front-out)
124 dB
Output Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-Weighted) (Headphone-out)
120 dB
Input Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-Weighted)
118 dB
Output THD+N at 1kHz (Front-out)
>0.0003 %(-110 dB)
Output THD+N at 1kHz (Headphone-out)
>0.001 %(-100 dB)
Know before you buy
Yes, the Essence STX II features a dedicated, high-performance headphone amplifier capable of driving headphones with an impedance of up to 600 ohms with ease.
The op-amp swap kit allows you to physically change the operational amplifiers on the card. This gives you the ability to customize the sound signature to better suit your personal listening preferences.
Yes, the Asus Essence STX II is compatible with Windows 10, as well as Windows 7, 8, and 8.1, in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.
Yes, it supports a suite of Dolby technologies, including Dolby Digital Live, Dolby Headphone, Dolby Virtual Speaker, and Dolby Pro-Logic II, to provide an immersive audio experience.
The card features a 6.3mm headphone jack, dual RCA outputs for speakers, a combo 6.3mm line/mic input, and a coaxial S/PDIF digital output.
It achieves a 124dB signal-to-noise ratio through high-quality components like the TI Bur-Brown PCM1792A DAC, a premium TCXO clock for low jitter, and a clean power supply design using LDO regulators and WIMA capacitors.
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$974