Asus Xonar Essence ST soundcard - experience

[musicbee]

Final Media Player - Bad gets to worse... each time its stopped you are met with a request to donate or browse offers or donate some more.

And in terms of SQ (which is what matters)...

Foobar still rocks and is king. Foobar + WASAPI with these presets Foobar2000 equalizer presets. Select "Rock" from equalizer and set "Noise Sharpening" at 200% (or your preference) but the higher the percentage the more details. Finally, also install the SoX Resampler for Foobar and play with your desired sample rate. Its still the best output.

 

[abhi_jollyguy]

Final Media Player - Bad gets to worse... each time its stopped you are met with a request to donate or browse offers or donate some more.

And in terms of SQ (which is what matters)...

Foobar still rocks and is king. Foobar + WASAPI with these presets Foobar2000 equalizer presets. Select "Rock" from equalizer and set "Noise Sharpening" at 200% (or your preference) but the higher the percentage the more details. Finally, also install the SoX Resampler for Foobar and play with your desired sample rate. Its still the best output.

I have installed all these and the sound is better than before. The details which was in the background before is now on the foreground.

 

[spirovious]

Well I gave up and cancelled installation.

@spirovious - Can you check Foobar with these presets Foobar2000 equalizer presets.

I have "Rock" from Equalizer and also noise sharpening is at 200% and to me this gives a lot of details (unheard of with Foobar previously).

Just want to know how Foobar with these settings compares to FMP. Will try to install it again... but I don't like s/w that insists on loading your system with unwanted toolbars, crapware and spyware... and then refuses to install if they are not selected.

Let me try all.I didnt install rest add on,but only final player.There is a option(tick)to avoid the popo up of donation.

 

[musicbee]

Let me try all.I didnt install rest add on,but only final player.There is a option(tick)to avoid the popo up of donation.

Did not work for me. I cancelled install and then filled out a form on the website on why I cancelled. Owner/developer replied with a direct link to full installer.

But Foobar with said options still sounds better (IMHO).

 

[spirovious]

And in terms of SQ (which is what matters)...
.

Just installed the presets & dsp.Yes these equalizer settings tweaks the sound in positively without distortion.I preferred flat though.The new DSP noise sharpening is good option.Still foobar sounds little thinner & final MP is fuller.Instruments sounds natural.Still continue comparing.

 

[Sumanta]

I am new to this cards, tell me one thing. How can I use them? I have laptops only.

 

[spirovious]

I am new to this cards, tell me one thing. How can I use them? I have laptops only.

You need to add USB soundcard or DAC.

 

[musicbee]

I am new to this cards, tell me one thing. How can I use them? I have laptops only.

Get an external DAC. Cost a bit more but more options to use with more devices.

Popular choices are
Musical Fidelity Musical Fidelity V-DAC Digital-Analog Converter

Arcam Arcam - rDAC-/-rDAC-kw - Digital to Analogue Converter

 

[Sumanta]

How can I use these DACs for my active cross over then?

Can I see some photos of a working complete system, or a schematic drawing for me to understand it.

I am thinking of doing active crossover with 4 channel or 6 channel out from amplifier(s).

One way is using DSP to not use PCs or laptops. But, how to do it if I want to use my laptop?

 

[sonosphere]

Dear Sonosphere,

You have changed or swaped the 'opamps' on Xonar Sound Card? I would like to know the detail procedure. I would like to try on this.

Dear Sudhir,
See my "Guide" here >> http://www.hifivision.com/articles-guides/21045-changing-opamps-asus-xonar-essense-st-stx.html

Regds,

 

[sonosphere]

Final Media Player - Bad gets to worse... each time its stopped you are met with a request to donate or browse offers or donate some more.
....

Hi Musicbee,
I deselected the options for "other extras" while installing, so I didn't face the same problem. I don't get the nagging screen regarding donation either, AFTER i clicked some checkbox... sorry I don't remember which one. But bottom line is... now I simply double click on the music /video file in the explorer and the FMP plays without "nuisance".

The only caveat being, it plays only one file at a time. Considering the "free sound upgrade" I got, I don't mind that one bit hyeah:

Regds,

 

[abhi_jollyguy]

I installed latest version of Final Media Player and was doing A-B-C-D(comparison) between VLC Media Player, Media Player Classic Home Cinema, Final Media Player and obviously Foobar.

The term you guys are describing "Fuller Sound" is I am getting in VLC, Media Player Classic Home Cinema and Final Media Player. Foobar is sounding slightly thinner whereas Final Media Player, VLC and MPCHC is sounding fuller but in Sound-Wise Final Media Player = VLC Media Player = Media Player Classic Home Cinema but Foobar is different in Sound-Wise which is what makes it distinctive from other player.

Don't get me wrong that I am saying Foobar is better than all the player. I am just saying that Foobar's Sound is different than the players which I have tested just now.

 

[spirovious]

VLC adds a bit noise,MPCHC does a good job.Now foobar with dsp noise sharpening helps to get details.Final MP is warm sounding,but fuller & foobar little thinner.

 

[abhi_jollyguy]

ok so I have been testing J.River Media center latest version which is said to be an Audiophile player on their official website and recommended by wavelength DAC's manufacturer I guess and I found it's sound signature and quality is same as foobar to be very frank.

 

[spirovious]

J.River Media center some how didnt convinced me.Still let us know your views.

 

[musicbee]

J.River Media center some how didnt convinced me.Still let us know your views.

Same as Foobar... I also tried with JPlay.

 

[s_sachin]

Guys no takers for the media monkey ? don't go on the name .. Believe me its not monkey business and if you do install pls try the upsampling feature and report it here pls.

 

[Cnu]

where to download the SoX resampler...iam not getting in foobar website or any other site...do any one have?

 

[abhi_jollyguy]

where to download the SoX resampler...iam not getting in foobar website or any other site...do any one have?

Here is the link:

A new resampler DSP for foobar2000 - Hydrogenaudio Forums

 

[musicbee]

Guys no takers for the media monkey ? don't go on the name .. Believe me its not monkey business and if you do install pls try the upsampling feature and report it here pls.

Used it. SQ is good but only problem is MM does not recognize all my files... while Foobar does. So I miss out on playing quite a few albums on MM... hence the move to Foobar. On the other hand MusicBee is another excellent alternative as a media manager. Tags entire library, lets you sort anyways and SQ is good too (runs on the BASS engine).

But I still feel Foobar with above mods + WASAPI trumps all.