Is Essense STX audibly better than Xonar DX ?

[doors666]

any recommendations for a good quality 2.1 card?

 

[spirovious]

any recommendations for a good quality 2.1 card?

2 ch,then xonat STX/ST.

 

[doors666]

2 ch,then xonat STX/ST.

No, 2.1 channel.

 

[venkatcr]

You will find it difficult to get a 2.1 card nowadays. The options are either 5.1 or 7.1. Most gaming software have started supporting 5.1. You can always have a 5.1 card, and use it in 2.1 mode.

Cheers

 

[spirovious]

No, 2.1 channel.

How dou you want to connect it?With 2ch,connected to stereo amp with preout(some has subout)you can connect to Sub(evenif the card dont have that).

 

[doors666]

How dou you want to connect it?With 2ch,connected to stereo amp with preout(some has subout)you can connect to Sub(evenif the card dont have that).

the amp is topping, so no pre-outs. I will be connecting diy alpair 7 spkrs to it. so want a good quality card. currently using m-audio audiophile 7.1. wanted to see if something better is there that can give me good quality 2.1. otherwise maybe some day i will replace the amp or get a pre-amp with pre-outs for sub.

 

[spirovious]

the amp is topping, so no pre-outs. I will be connecting diy alpair 7 spkrs to it. so want a good quality card. currently using m-audio audiophile 7.1. wanted to see if something better is there that can give me good quality 2.1.

Well,another option,you can get Sub with speaker level(High)input & you can connect it to topping.

 

[doors666]

Well,another option,you can get Sub with speaker level(High)input & you can connect it to topping.

considered that. the problem is that the spkr level output (topping to sub and sub to spkrs, all using the spkr wire, right?) from the sub wont be highpassed. if i feed that entire signal to alpair 7, it can handle much lesser power than if i highpass it at around 80hz. hence the need for a 2.1 channel soundcard as it will highpass the spkr output.

 

[RAJOD]

Will there be an audible difference if I upgrade from Xonar DX to Essense STX ? I am aware specs wise, the Essense STX beats the DX, but I am not sure if there would be a big difference when listening.

Useless posts here, not one person bothered to answer the question but choose to go off on strange tangents.


The Answer is NO there will not be a huge difference between the cards and buying the next one up for your needs would be a waste of money IMO.


I have both those cards and really can't tell much difference at all.

If you use HDMI there will be zero difference as it does not use conversion.

 

[corElement]

There is definitely audible difference between the dx / d2x line and the stx in their default non modified states.

STX in it's default configuration has better vocal performance while the bass is faster on d2x and highs are harsher.

The difference is actually not that suprising because the dx/d2x soundcards are better for home theatre/multichannel video performance while the stx is better for two channel music.

So if you watch movies more and like punchier bass the dx / d2x is better, if you like more prominent vocals the stx is better.

Here's a quick comparison.

 

[spirovious]

STX in it's default configuration has better vocal performance while the bass is faster on d2x and highs are harsher.
.[/URL]

Objection mere dost,D2X sounded harsh on highs as long as I used asus drivers.I repeat,Unixonar drivers (1.41 & 1.61)if installed correctly(only after removing all old driver files with Driversweeper) sounds more musical & dynamic.
Bass goed deeper & highs are sweat.I always use ATH 50 HP to compare fine details.

 

[corElement]

It's a comparison between the two on default configuration and drivers, not one on default and other using custom driver.

It doesn't mean the d2x highs are HARSH, it just means it's harsher to the default config of the stx. You wont even notice the difference if not comparing. I never did. chillax. The d2x is an excellent card and better than the stx in it's default state. The stx needs OP amp changes to truly bring out it's muscles.

 

[spirovious]

D2X has good overall SQ,but soundstage is not very wide(music).With movies,there is no issue.

 

[corElement]

Yep, I agree. I always felt it had a smaller soundstage than my other setup and only confirmed it when I plugged in the stx and noticed a larger soundstage, swapping out the default oamps on the stx with opa 1642 x2 + 1612 resulted in a huge soundstage similar to my vintage Philips setup. My mother also noticed it from the other room and came to tell me about it.

 

[dezebo]

Ive heard the STX being used as the source in very high end DIY speaker setup as well as modded Wharfedale 9.6s.It did sound very detailed and as good as the Maverick D1 DAC but then it could also be because the speakers itself were amazing and I don't have much knowledge of speakers etc . Anyways it depends a lot on what the OP plans to use it with. A good DAC would be better than STX in my opinion , especially if one plans to drive high impedance cans etc.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

A good DAC would be better than STX

So you are saying that the STX is not a good DAC?

 

[Audiodoc]

it is a good sound card for audio but a similarly priced external DAC will perform better IMHO. Examples audioengine d6, calyx coffee, ODAC.

Audioengine D1 Premium 24-Bit DAC/Headphone Amp Review The Gadgeteer

Audioengine D2

NwAvGuy: ODAC May Update

Eric's Hi-Fi Blog: Calyx Coffee DAC and Headamp

 

[iaudio]

audiodoc, have you tried the Audio engine d1?

 

[Audiodoc]

No, but it has been extensively compared on the Internet with detailed reviews by many audiophiles and is well respected around the 10K territory. It has a decent headphone amplifier and an optical input too. So if your laptop has an optical SPDIF out you can use that too.

 

[techboy]

Stx will make a slight difference, not much. Enough to not notice unless you do side by side test. I have owned both, the difference is very slight unless you need a headphone amp or modding ability. If you have unlimited money then go for it else your dx is about as good for most practical purposes. Such small differences can also be had with expensive cables though that might cost more, but just want to make you realize that the difference isn't noticeable except for side by side comparisons.

Is stx worth an additional 4k? Depends on your budget. For me it is. For most it isn't if you don't need the extra features.
Is stx twice as good as dx? NO

Rest assured, the stx is as good or better than most external DACs in the sub $150+ range but the dx isn't far behind. It just doesn't have the amp and other features.