Essence STX or?

[GreyDevil]

Hey Guys!

I was looking for buying a sound card for a new PC and I saw that the Asus Xonar Essence STX retails in South Africa for R1437 (Exchange rate is R9.98 per $1) so it's ~$144. I mainly use headphones and I am looking to buy some 2.1 speakers (looking at the SP2500). I mainly game and listen to music. Just wanted to ask if it is worth getting the STX or another cheaper/different sound card? 

 

EDIT: I do live in South Africa and that price does include VAT. But I am coming the US at the end of the year so I can pick up other parts that are not available locally.

[sonarctica]

Hey Guys!

I was looking for buying a sound card for a new PC and I saw that the Asus Xonar Essence STX retails in South Africa for R1437 (Exchange rate is R9.98 per $1) so it's ~$144. I mainly use headphones and I am looking to buy some 2.1 speakers (looking at the SP2500). I mainly game and listen to music. Just wanted to ask if it is worth getting the STX or another cheaper/different sound card?

Holy crap... that sound card is $270 in Finland and $222 in EU.

[Alex Dimitri]

That one is top notch sound card with price to follow, if you are not that crazy about FLAC and you listen to a lot of mp3 you can go for some 50$ model Any of Asus sound card range is good, they are now what creative used to be some years ago !.

[GreyDevil]

Yeah I know sonartica! I was really surprised that it is cheaper in SA than the US especially since we get ripped off so badly with graphics cards and everything else! I mean a Titan in SA is ~$1499 and a 660 Ti is around $400... :(

[ERSCreeper]

You can get a HD 7950 for R3600 + the games @ wootware.co.za :D

 

Edit: And 7950 smashes GTX 670

[Gorgatron]

Fiio E10 is $80~ and has a headphone amp. It includes a lineout in the back so you can use speakers as well.

[diabloj]

Like Alex Dimitri mentions, if you're not that crazy about sound quality and use high-quality source files then you could opt for a cheaper alternative.

What's your headphones by the way? If they're a decent pair of cans then you'll hear the difference better between the Essence STX and lower-end soundcards. (and therefore appreciate it more)

Either way, I think Essence STX is the best option for both a soundcard or external DAC/amp in that price range.

The only consideration is if you need such a high-end soundcard if you don't have the equipment(or source files) to appreciate it.

[ShearMe]

I'd pick the FiiO E10 over the most expensive soundcard....

[GreyDevil]

What's your headphones by the way? 

I was thinking of getting Sennhieser PC 350 SE's for my new PC. I also have a mate with a Sennhieser HD598 which he NEVER uses (not even joking) which he would happily lend me for awhile or I could buy them for cheap (despite having the HD598's he prefers using his god awful monitor speakers). 

[ShearMe]

I was thinking of getting Sennhieser PC 350 SE's for my new PC. I also have a mate with a Sennhieser HD598 which he NEVER uses (not even joking) which he would happily lend me for awhile or I could buy them for cheap (despite having the HD598's he prefers using his god awful monitor speakers). 

 

Buy the 598s off him, attach a ModMic.  :D

[t0wer]

Buy the 598s off him, attach a ModMic.  :D

 yea do that, I loved my hd595's for gaming.