asus-launches-xonar-essence-stu-usb-dac

Discussion in 'Hi-Fi and General Audio' started by Labarum, Oct 26, 2013.

  1. Labarum

    Labarum

    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2008
    Messages:
    492
    Likes Received:
    2
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 26, 2013
    Labarum, Oct 26, 2013
    #1
  2. Labarum

    Coda II getting there slowly

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2004
    Messages:
    603
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    Devon
    $399 according to the link
     
    Coda II, Oct 26, 2013
    #2
  3. Labarum

    Tenson Moderator

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2003
    Messages:
    5,947
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    Kent, UK
    That is a seriously nice bit of kit :)

    The headphone amp must be the best spec'd in the world.

    My only complaint is that they have a DAC with 127dB SNR then use a summing op-amp that will give about 116dB SNR. Not that this is a bad spec at all, but it seems a shame. If they used a pair of single op-amps like AD797 they could get much closer to the capabilities of the DAC.
     
    Tenson, Oct 26, 2013
    #3
  4. Labarum

    Labarum

    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2008
    Messages:
    492
    Likes Received:
    2
    Labarum, Oct 26, 2013
    #4
  5. Labarum

    DSJR

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2007
    Messages:
    96
    Likes Received:
    0
    Hmm, purely thoughts with no backup, but some kinds of distortions can be smoothed out with a tiny bit of noise added methinks?
     
    DSJR, Oct 28, 2013
    #5
  6. Labarum

    Tenson Moderator

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2003
    Messages:
    5,947
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    Kent, UK
    That's true but I don't think it apples at that sort of low low level. I don't think it would make any difference at all to the sound anyway but in a spec's chasing game it's a shame. Then again the same is true of most DACs. The MDAC claims >122dB but I have not seen any measurements to confirm it does that at the analog outputs or if they are simply claiming what the DAC chip can do.
     
    Tenson, Oct 28, 2013
    #6
Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments (here). After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.
Similar Threads

  1. Wanted: Benchmark DAC-1 (USB or non-USB)

  2. Benchmark Dac 1 Pre Dac /MF V8 CD and USB direct comparison

  3. Asus Xonar Essence STX soundcard

  4. [LampizatOr launches their Big Six - an alternative approach for Level 6 DAC ;]

Loading...