I was approached by Asus Singapore to do a short review on their New Audiophile grade DAC/Amp so here is it:
Background:
USB DAC and headphone amplifier features asynchronous USB audio and 600ohm headphone amplifier
Sound Cards and Digital-to-Analog Converters - Xonar Essence STU
Features:
• Excellent audio quality as inherited from acclaimed Xonar Essence ST/STX
• Precision clock tuning technology and asynchronous USB transfer ensure jitter-free fidelity
• Integrated 600ohm headphone amplifier optimizes sound detail with two gain settings
• 120dB Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) delivers high definition audio clarity (Same as the essence one)
• Dedicated jumper switch allows direct audio delivery to your power amplifier, by-passing DAC volume controls
• Three swappable Op-Amps enable tonal character tuning based on personal taste
Headphones/iems used: Sennheiser HD800
Comparison Dac/Amp: Xonar Essence one (Stock)
Sources/setup:
mp3 @320kbps /flac files -> Jriver Media player 18 -> Asus Xonar Essence one-> HD800.
- Jriver Media player 18 in Asio mode.
OS: Windows 8.1
Amp setting: USB 2.0 input
Price: MRSP = $599 SGD
Connectivity:
Here we got RCA Unbalance out for your speakers, external amp etc. input we got Tos link, coaxial and the USB, which pretty much covers all the standard input we normally used.
Output:
Very basic but functional. One power on/off button, one input selection button 2 volume control, one for RCA out, The other for headphone out.
My Impressions (Subjective):
The essence STU got great depths. Test pieces songs like Rebecca Pigeon "Spanish Harlem" is rendered beautifully. The details of the bass is tightly rendered, the amount of detail is incredible. The distinction between different singers in the group and the depth/placement of the instruments can be clearly heard. The vocal is clear and sibilance is almost non-existent even on a hd800.
Another test pieces I used is from the Crowded House “You better be home soon”. The vocal texture of the lead singer is once again clearly rendered.
The only short coming I could pick is the sound stage. The imaging on the Xonar essence one (Stock) is clearly better.
Opamp Rolling:
It’s weird for a high end product, Asus is using a opa2134 for it’s headphone output stage. There is nothing wrong using it but audiophiles will prefer something more “exotic”. :P
I had tried a couple of opamps on this unit, and found that Muses 02 works the best on it.
The sound stage opens up considerably. The overall sound becomes slightly warmer. And in my own opinion, it sound even better than the stock Essence One! :eek:
Pros
- Compact Side. Desktop friendly.
- Able to drive high impedance phones with ease.
- Support up to 24bit 192kHz via usb.
- Very very quiet, even at high volume.
- Detailed with great depth
- Opamp rollable.
- Separate volume control out for external speakers.
Cons
- Headphone soundstage too narrow with stock OPA2134 opamp.
Conclusion:
Sound of this amp detailed with great depth.
Roll it with a Muses02 make it even better than the Essence one (stock) !
Background:
USB DAC and headphone amplifier features asynchronous USB audio and 600ohm headphone amplifier
Sound Cards and Digital-to-Analog Converters - Xonar Essence STU
Features:
• Excellent audio quality as inherited from acclaimed Xonar Essence ST/STX
• Precision clock tuning technology and asynchronous USB transfer ensure jitter-free fidelity
• Integrated 600ohm headphone amplifier optimizes sound detail with two gain settings
• 120dB Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) delivers high definition audio clarity (Same as the essence one)
• Dedicated jumper switch allows direct audio delivery to your power amplifier, by-passing DAC volume controls
• Three swappable Op-Amps enable tonal character tuning based on personal taste
Headphones/iems used: Sennheiser HD800
Comparison Dac/Amp: Xonar Essence one (Stock)
Sources/setup:
mp3 @320kbps /flac files -> Jriver Media player 18 -> Asus Xonar Essence one-> HD800.
- Jriver Media player 18 in Asio mode.
OS: Windows 8.1
Amp setting: USB 2.0 input
Price: MRSP = $599 SGD
Connectivity:
Here we got RCA Unbalance out for your speakers, external amp etc. input we got Tos link, coaxial and the USB, which pretty much covers all the standard input we normally used.
Output:
Very basic but functional. One power on/off button, one input selection button 2 volume control, one for RCA out, The other for headphone out.
My Impressions (Subjective):
The essence STU got great depths. Test pieces songs like Rebecca Pigeon "Spanish Harlem" is rendered beautifully. The details of the bass is tightly rendered, the amount of detail is incredible. The distinction between different singers in the group and the depth/placement of the instruments can be clearly heard. The vocal is clear and sibilance is almost non-existent even on a hd800.
Another test pieces I used is from the Crowded House “You better be home soon”. The vocal texture of the lead singer is once again clearly rendered.
The only short coming I could pick is the sound stage. The imaging on the Xonar essence one (Stock) is clearly better.
Opamp Rolling:
It’s weird for a high end product, Asus is using a opa2134 for it’s headphone output stage. There is nothing wrong using it but audiophiles will prefer something more “exotic”. :P
I had tried a couple of opamps on this unit, and found that Muses 02 works the best on it.
The sound stage opens up considerably. The overall sound becomes slightly warmer. And in my own opinion, it sound even better than the stock Essence One! :eek:
Pros
- Compact Side. Desktop friendly.
- Able to drive high impedance phones with ease.
- Support up to 24bit 192kHz via usb.
- Very very quiet, even at high volume.
- Detailed with great depth
- Opamp rollable.
- Separate volume control out for external speakers.
Cons
- Headphone soundstage too narrow with stock OPA2134 opamp.
Conclusion:
Sound of this amp detailed with great depth.
Roll it with a Muses02 make it even better than the Essence one (stock) !
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