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Asus Computers Xonar Essence STX

Asus Computers Xonar Essence STX

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4 Critic Reviews

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Page last updated Aug 10, 2025

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Description

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Elevate your studio recording experience with the ASUS Xonar Essence STX, a premium audio interface designed for audiophiles and professional musicians alike. Known for its superior sound clarity and precision, this audio interface is the perfect companion for those seeking to capture every nuance of their musical creations. The ASUS AV100 audio processor is at the heart of this device, delivering an immersive listening and recording experience with a signal-to-noise ratio of 124 dB, ensuring crystal-clear sound quality. The Xonar Essence STX also features a high-fidelity headphone amplifier, capable of driving headphones up to 600 ohms, making it ideal for both casual listeners and professional studio environments.

Engineered with a focus on reducing distortion and noise, the Xonar Essence STX utilizes precision clock tuning technology and a multi-layer PCB to minimize jitter, providing a clean and accurate audio signal. Whether you're monitoring a live performance or mixing tracks in post-production, the Xonar Essence STX ensures your audio is as true-to-life as possible. This audio interface is compatible with a wide range of operating systems and integrates seamlessly with popular DAWs, offering versatility and ease of use for musicians at any level.

Key Features:

ASUS AV100 audio processor for superior sound quality
Signal-to-noise ratio of 124 dB for crystal-clear audio
High-fidelity headphone amplifier supports up to 600 ohms
Precision clock tuning technology to minimize jitter
Multi-layer PCB design for reduced distortion and noise
Compatible with a range of operating systems and DAWs

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Linus Tech Tips

ASUS Xonar Essence STX Premium Amped Sound Card Unboxing & First Look Linus Tech Tips

Linus Tech Tips

ASUS XONAR Essence STX 124 dB SNR/Headphone Amp Card Unboxing

Tech of Tomorrow

ASUS Xonar Essence STX - Unboxing in Boxers

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Reviews

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Asus Computers Xonar Essence STX.

Comparisons

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Some owners find that external DACs and amps introduce more noticeable electronic interference compared to the Xonar STX, emphasizing its clean sound performance.
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Despite owning the card, some users consider external amps like Schiit or O2/ODAC for enhanced sound quality and direct volume control.
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Owners compare the STX favorably with the Schiit Modi Multibit DAC, debating if the upgrade is justified given the STX's performance.
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User experience

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Users report occasional high voltage spikes when toggling hi-fi mode, causing unpleasant loud snaps in headphones.
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Users with high-end systems, like those with an i7 12700k and RTX 3080, report no electronic noise, even in setups with powerful GPUs and PSUs.
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Despite some interference issues when paired with desktop CPUs or GPUs, the sound quality remains highly praised for music playback.
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Use cases and applications

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The card supports Dolby Surround for headphones, beneficial for immersive audio without needing specialized gaming headsets.
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The card is noted for its ability to drive high-end headphones like the DT1990s with ease, making it suitable for audiophile-grade listening.
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Features and functionality

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The headphone amp's 10-ohm output impedance isn't optimal for headphones under 80 ohms.
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The Xonar Essence STX offers normal, high, and extra high gain settings, allowing users to customize headphone driving power.
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The Xonar STX has a 124 signal-to-noise ratio on paper, but real-world tests show a range of 114-117, which is still considered excellent.
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Software and compatibility

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Users prefer UniXonar drivers over official ones for improved performance and fewer issues.
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Users with tinnitus find the Xonar STX less prone to interference, suggesting it may be more suitable for those sensitive to background noise.
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Driver issues are a common complaint, with some users experiencing difficulties with official drivers, while others report smooth operation on various Windows versions.
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Setup and maintenance

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Requires a separate power cable; driver installation can be finicky about cable attachment, complicating setup.
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Users note the necessity of Windows volume control due to lack of onboard volume management, with some opting for keyboard shortcuts as a workaround.
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Mods and upgrades

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Owners mention the Xduoo MT-604 as an affordable tube amp alternative, highlighting variations in noise levels compared to solid-state options.
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Some users have experimented with OP-amp rolling; however, the benefits remain debated as potentially placebo.
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Critic Reviews

ASUS Xonar Essence ST/STX soundcards | Stereophile.com

stereophile.com

ASUS Xonar Essence STX is a standout soundcard for audiophiles on a budget. With a sleek design featuring a Faraday shield for RF interference protection, it delivers a remarkable 124dB signal-to-noise ratio. The inclusion of high-end components like the Burr-Brown PCM1792 D/A converter ensures excellent audio playback. While it lacks a digital input, it compensates with features like Dolby processing and flexible op-amp options for customization. The card's analog and digital outputs perform admirably, but users must connect it to the PC's power supply for optimal noise isolation. For its price, it offers a premium audio experience, making it a solid choice for anyone seeking high-quality sound without breaking the bank.

positive

Full Review

ASUS Xonar Essence ST/STX soundcards Follow-Up, September 2010 | Stereophile.com

stereophile.com

The ASUS Xonar Essence STX soundcard impresses with its ability to turn a PC into a high-resolution audio source at an affordable price. It excels in delivering clean, noise-free output even in a computer's noisy environment. However, initial driver issues led to downsampling of high-sample-rate files, which was later resolved with a driver update. The card now supports bit-perfect playback across various sample rates, though the lack of volume control in ASIO mode may inconvenience headphone users. While its headphone output is commendable, it doesn't quite match high-end DACs in dynamic range and smoothness. Overall, a strong value for budget-conscious audiophiles.

positive

Full Review

Asus Computers Xonar Essence STX review on overclockersclub.com

overclockersclub.com

The ASUS Xonar Essence STX impresses with its robust EMI shielding, high-end components like the Burr-Brown PCM1792 DAC, and dedicated Texas Instruments headphone amplifier, making it a top choice for audiophiles. The card's variety of connectivity options, including substantial RCA outputs and a unique array of op-amps, enhance its versatility and sound quality. However, its lack of a PCI version may limit compatibility for some users. Overall, this sound card is a stellar performer for those seeking premium audio playback.

positive

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ASUS Xonar Essence STX soundcard review

guru3d.com

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1212

Composer, Music Producer

Verified via Equipboard

Artist 1212 uses the ASUS Xonar Essence STX audio interface for high-quality studio recording. The device features a Texas Instruments PCM1792A DAC and Cirrus Logic CS5381 ADC, offering 24-bit/192 kHz resolution. With a THD+N of 0.0003% for Line-Out and 0.0002% for Line-In, it supports sampling rates of 44.1, 48, 96, and 192 kHz. The dynamic range is 124 dB for Line-Out, 118 dB for Line-In, and 117 dB for headphone output. This information is detailed in the ASUS Xonar Essence STX reviews and prices section on Equipboard.