Essence STX "EAX support"

[Crion]

So I've just about had it with my Titanium HD.  I know my headset mic works because it works on my laptop but on the Titanium HD, half the time it works, half the time it doesn't and I've also had problems with drivers so I'm done with this card.  Looking to replace it with something like an Essence STX. 

My question is how's the EAX emulation in it at this point?  I still play some games that take advantage of EAX so wondering how that is now since I've heard that it was terrible in the past.   

[rossi94]

ASUS Xonar soundcards are top, don't worry.

[h264]

You don't need special hardware to calculate surround sound.

[XiaoPigs]

You can't go wrong with an Essence STX or Essence line of soundcards. They're one of the best on the market right now if I could say so myself.

 

Even Linus would recommend them to you :)

[t0wer]

 

IMO vinyl had it right.

[Rhizo]

So I've just about had it with my Titanium HD.  I know my headset mic works because it works on my laptop but on the Titanium HD, half the time it works, half the time it doesn't and I've also had problems with drivers so I'm done with this card.  Looking to replace it with something like an Essence STX. 

My question is how's the EAX emulation in it at this point?  I still play some games that take advantage of EAX so wondering how that is now since I've heard that it was terrible in the past.   

 

 

You can't go wrong with an Essence STX or Essence line of soundcards. They're one of the best on the market right now if I could say so myself.

 

Even Linus would recommend them to you :)

Ok, first off, why are you considering the stx vs the dg or dgx? You said you use a headset with it and so you won't hear a difference between them. Not sure why so many people on here spend ridiculous money on stx's when using headsets or low end headphones. Baffling.

[Crion]

Ok, first off, why are you considering the stx vs the dg or dgx? You said you use a headset with it and so you won't hear a difference between them. Not sure why so many people on here spend ridiculous money on stx's when using headsets or low end headphones. Baffling.

 

Because I only use the headset for gaming and it is a Sennheiser PC350 so not your everyday headset on the market.  In addition, I use HD558s for most listening and I can hear the difference between "junk" and great audio equipment.  (Not saying the DG or DGX is junk but it's definitely inferior to the STX)

[Rhizo]

Because I only use the headset for gaming and it is a Sennheiser PC350 so not your everyday headset on the market.  In addition, I use HD558s for most listening and I can hear the difference between "junk" and great audio equipment.  (Not saying the DG or DGX is junk but it's definitely inferior to the STX)

Ok, first off, you may be supprised to hear that the STX vs the DG/DGX will actually sound worse with your headphones. This is due to the 10 ohm output impedance. This means that and headphone uunder 80 ohms, it will sound worse than something with a lower output impedance (such as the DG or DGX). Want to know more? http://nwavguy.blogspot.co.uk/2011/02/headphone-amp-impedance.html

 

Furthermore, the 558's are 50 ohm headphones that don't even need an amp to be driven properly. With that said, you wouldn't want to use onboard sound and so using the dg or dgx as a dac prodominantly would be a good idea, with perhaps the slightest benefit from amping.

 

When you say you can tell between junk and great audio equipment, do you mean you can tell the difference between ibuds and hd558's? Or onboard sound vs a soundcard? In your case, the stx is inferior to the dg/dgx.

 

Anyways, here's some knowledge that is extremely helpful to know. Most dacs are the same, from 50$ to 500$ the dac will probably a similar chip. The difference is shielding, bells and whistles, etc. Amps however, vary in power and are used prodominantly for higher end headphones with higher impedance than your 558's. 

 

Cheers,

[h264]

Not sure why so many people on here spend ridiculous money on stx's when using headsets or low end headphones. Baffling.

 

It's called marketing.  The best part is if their headphones are under 80 Ohms the STX will make them sound worse.

[Rhizo]

It's called marketing.  The best part is if their headphones are under 80 Ohms the STX will make them sound worse.

Yeah, 10 ohm output impedance. This articles pretty good http://nwavguy.blogspot.co.uk/2011/02/headphone-amp-impedance.html. Marketing really is amazing.