Asus Xonar Essence STX vs DAC

[Ruckus]

Hi,here's what i got in my new build

M-AudioBX8a external

Senn 598 and  HIfaman Ananda planers Fosi Q4

What im trying to create is same experience or >ive got using the asus xonar essence stx card but

cant since its drivers are not win 11 campatable

plus the sound cards pcie slot is literally

under one inch under the GPU card slot.

What im looking at is the Shitt Magni/Modi Affordable No-Excuses stack

Its the newest version of the Magni/Modi 3+ stack

Whats in the same price range $300-400

for headphone amps and dac that would work = or better?

Is the Shiit stack = > even if the Asus sound card blocks ventilation to the GPU?

save the $300 for better headphones ie?

 

 

 

 

Edited March 1, 2023 by Ruckus

[Ruckus]

Only using the Fosi Q4 right now as a stop gap since it has outputs(borrowed from my cromebook)

Even using the Fosi Q4  at 50% is drastically increased vs ALC4080 onboard sound

Edited February 25, 2023 by Ruckus

[maddangerous]

32 minutes ago, Ruckus said:

Hi,here's what i got in my new build

M-AudioBX8a external

Senn 598 and  HIfaman Ananda planers Fosi Q4

What im trying to create is same experience or >ive got using the asus xonar stx card but

cant since its drivers are not win 11 campatable

plus the sound cards pcie slot is literally

under one inch under the GPU card slot.

What im looking at is the Shitt Magni/Modi Affordable No-Excuses stack

Its the newest version of the Magni/Modi 3+ stack

Whats in the same price range $300-400

for headphone amps and dac that would work = or better?

Is the Shiit stack = > even if the Asus sound card blocks ventilation to the GPU?

save the $300 for better headphones ie?

 

 

 

 

 

 

I would think the magni/modi stack would push those headphones better than most soundcards we have today.

 

Are the drivers really actually incompatible? I can't tell you how many windows 7/8 drivers  I've used that are just fine on W10.

 

What motherboard are you running?

[Ruckus]

MSI 790 A pro

 

Edited February 25, 2023 by Ruckus

[Ruckus]

havent tried personally,still on win 10,about to upgrade but im reading asus xonor drivers dont work on win 11    

Ill just try iy out ie win 11 and new asus sound card driver today,find out.                                                                                                

Edited February 26, 2023 by Ruckus

[Ruckus]

Thankfully i have an older case w/ a side fan that pushes air directly to the gpu,

Edited February 26, 2023 by Ruckus

[Sir Beregond]

I have or had (don't remember if I still have it) an Asus Xonar Essence STX. Never could get it working on anything newer than Windows 7.

 

These days if I wanted to try to get into audio again, I'd probably do a DAC/AMP.

[bonami2]

@Ruckus

Here you go

 

UNi Xonar Drivers official page

MAXEDTECH.COM

---

UNi Xonar drivers main page (information, release notes, driver downloads).

 

[T.Sharp]

As far as other stack options, it's hard to beat the L30 II + E30 II for the money. 

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/topping-e30-ii-dac-review.36028/
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/topping-l30-ii-review-headphone-amp.36027/

Personally I prefer a DAC/Amp combo in a single box. I think mini stacks are kinda pointless and just add clutter, but those two are top notch for the price class.

Here's a solid combo unit :
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/aoshida-smsl-c200-review-dac-amp.36850/

Also has balanced line-out which is nice if you ever want to connect powered studio monitors, and it has an internal PSU which is a big plus imo (no wall warts)

 

[Ruckus]

Got a little covered up with work this week.

Thanks for the link @bonami2

Ive looked at the L30/E30 a bit too and its up there on list if i go that route.

Thinking of just using the Asus Xonar Essence STX in the bedroom pc and prob will go with a new heaphone amp/dac for the main PC.

Edited March 1, 2023 by Ruckus

[Fiftyfifth]

Apologies - I managed to scroll past the above hyperlink for the same.  Notwithstanding, UNi drivers will work with your sound card.  I run my PC into an integrated amp but you have active speakers probably don't need to.  I really love using STX.  I'll bolt other things on but it'll always remain in my PC.  Use a Mojo2 for headphones too, but I still love STX ^ ^  

 

You can use a UNi Xonar driver

 

UNi Xonar Drivers official page

MAXEDTECH.COM

---

UNi Xonar drivers main page (information, release notes, driver downloads).

 

Edited March 25, 2023 by Fiftyfifth

[pio]

I'm with T.Sharp on this one.  I too would prefer an all in one unit over a stack.  I'll be honest, some of these other guys are probably better at recommended mini's than I, but I absolutely love my SMSL AD18.  But you don't really need a speaker amp though, just headphones amp (the AD18 has 2 amps in it, speakers and cans).  I can understand stacking old school components, that's just how it was.  But going for a mini?  Nahhh, go tiny or go home.   

 

Just going off brand names alone (usually not a good thing in audio lol), but Topping, Schiit, SMSL, Dayton......I mean you really can't go wrong with anything listed in this thread so far lol.