Essence
ASUSEstimated price (community-sourced)
Around — community and catalog average, updates slowly
About the Essence
The ASUS Xonar Essence STX (often referred to as part of the Essence series) is a premium PCIe x1 sound card designed for audiophiles, inheriting top-tier audio quality from the Essence lineup. It features industry-leading 124dB SNR for front-out, ultra-low jitter via TCXO clock, clean power with LDO regulators and WIMA capacitors, and a built-in headphone amplifier that drives headphones from 32-600 ohms with low distortion. Users can customize sound via swappable op-amps including MUSES types. Supports ASIO 2.0, Dolby Digital Live, DTS, and high-res audio up to 192kHz/24bit. The Essence STX II variant enhances this with 120dB headphone SNR and additional IEM gain. No longer manufactured, as it's a legacy product from around 2010-2014.
Specifications
Digital Audio
DAC capabilities and digital audio processing
- Bit Depth
- 24-bit
- Max Sample Rate
- 192 kHz
- DAC Chip
- TI/Burr-Brown PCM1792A or PCM1795
Analog Output
Analog signal output specifications
- THD
- 0.000%
- SNR
- 124 dB
- Output Voltage
- 2.0V RMS
- Max Output Voltage
- 7.0V RMS
Connectivity
Input and output connections
- Bluetooth
- No
- Wi-Fi
- No
- Ethernet
- No
- Digital Inputs
- coax S/PDIF
- Analog Inputs
- line-in, mic-in
- Analog Outputs
- front 1/4", RCA, 3.5mm, headphone out
Specifications are community-contributed and may not be accurate or complete. Verify all details with the manufacturer before making purchasing decisions. Terms & Conditions