Review of the sound card Asus Xonar DS. Sound card ASUS Xonar DX. Good sound at a reasonable price Asus xonar ds a sound card

Even after several years, the sound ASUS card The Xonar DX remains a very attractive proposition to buy. ASUS products in the field of computer audio in general very quickly became popular and in demand, since the manufacturer really offers a worthwhile implementation for a reasonable price.

Of course, the Xonar DX is in many ways a stripped-down option, but for the average user, the card can be a real boon. Nevertheless, the solution is based on fairly serious digital-to-analog converters Cirrus Logic CS4398 and CS4362. They support 192 kHz 24-bit operation and provide a signal-to-noise ratio of 120 and 114 dB, respectively. All this gives the manufacturer reason to assert that in some parameters ASUS Xonar DX is ten times better than the built-in audio. There is a bit of slyness in this, but this fact does not diminish the dignity of the interface.

Therefore, our Xonar DX review will try to figure out if this sound card is really as good as the mainstream built-in HD Audio.

Contents of delivery

The completeness of the card is not particularly outstanding. In the box you can find:

• replaceable socket for compact enclosures with two screws;
• adapter for additional power supply;
• optical cable adapter;
• signal cable 3.5 mm - 2 RCA;
• instructions and a disk with the driver.

As you can see, there is not even a complete set of cords for connecting a multichannel system. For example, the bundling of Creative cards of the corresponding level is often much more serious.

Card construction

As the main sound ASUS processor uses its own proprietary chip, marked as AV100. Its real developer is the C-Media company, and in its performance the microcircuit was called OxygenHD CMI8787. By the way, the differences between ASUS AV100 and ASUS AV200, which are installed in more expensive cards, are very conditional, and they boil down only to algorithms for working with software... ASUS Xonar DX has a PCI Express x1 interface, and a PEX812 controller from PLX Tehnology is used for communication.

A Cirrus Logic CS5361 microcircuit works as an analog-to-digital converter. Cirrus Logic CS4398 192 kHz 24 bit with 120 dB SNR is used to reproduce the sound of the front channels. For all others, Cirrus Logic CS4362 114 dB SNR is applied. These microcircuits are very good, one might say, top-end. You can even find them in sound cards that are many times more expensive.

The very organization of the board is very thoughtful in our opinion. A low-profile design is used, due to which ASUS Xonar DX can be installed not only in ordinary desktops, but also in smaller cases. For example, good sound will obviously not hurt in HTPCs based on mini-ITX boards.

Outputs and inputs are designed in the form of 3.5 mm gold-colored connectors. The optical output is combined with the analog one, so a special adapter is included in the delivery set for using it. I only disliked the close proximity, which is why high-quality cables with thick plugs simply rest against each other. But again, this is a low profile tribute.

By the way, the board has a standard plug for connecting the front connectors on the front of the computer. It is very convenient. By the way, for ASUS work Xonar DX board requires additional power supply, for which a standard connector is used. This is installed in card readers and other small peripherals. V this case we don't like its implementation, since during operation, contact may be lost, and the card simply stops working. I would like to see a more secure connector with a latch.

ASUS Xonar DX software

The set with the sound card comes with quite convenient software, which does not differ in excessive saturation of settings, but makes it possible to quickly use all the functions. The first tab of the Xonar DX Audio Center settings allows you to select the operating mode of the audio interface. First of all, the configuration is set sound speakers and sampling rate. Xonar DX can output both simple stereo and signal decomposition up to 7.1 mode.

The mixer allows you to adjust the volume of the individual inputs. Naturally, this can be done for both playback and recording.

The effects tab allows you to use various ready-made presets to change the character of the sound or make such settings yourself. Here we will just say that any sound card has something similar, but few prefer to use it.

Naturally, there are also various additional chips. For example, the function of suppressing acoustic communication, various voice presets for voice communication etc.

Testing and subjective opinion

To test the audio card, we used common software, completing all presets according to the manufacturer's method. I must say that the program used was first proposed by a group of developers closely associated with the famous site iXBT.com. To date, it has undergone many revisions, and, in fact, is the de facto standard in amateur measurements of the parameters of the audio path. This is largely due to the ease of use. all you really need to get the results is the software and the connecting cable.

And the presentation of the data obtained is organized in the best way. After running for a couple of minutes, the program issues a simple plate with integral evaluations of the plan "excellent", "good" or "bad", which can be used to judge the quality of the device on the fly. For a more detailed study, you can see the graphs with the spectra. As a result: in terms of the sum of such parameters as availability, measurement accuracy, ease of use, RMAA - the best way today. For example, ASUS uses it as an official measurement tool. The results for different modes of operation can be seen below.

As you can see, the ASUS Xonar DX sound card has very impressive characteristics. In the 24 bit 48 kHz mode, we managed to obtain a noise level of -111 dB, dynamic range amounted to 111 dB, and harmonic distortion - negligible 0.0007 percent. In general, the result is really excellent. Only the interpenetration of the channels turned out to be not very good, but this can be attributed to the nuances of a particular instance or the subtleties of the computer used. In general, there are more than enough such numbers to provide an excellent sound level.

To make our results more understandable, let's look at them in comparison with the built-in sound using the example of the Realtek ALC889 controller. The first parameter - the unevenness of the amplitude-frequency characteristic - speaks for itself. It indicates how much decibel the signal (sound pressure) differs from the target level at different frequencies. While this parameter is extremely important for acoustics, for modern cards it is purely nominal. For example, for ASUS Xonar DX we have +0.01, -0.07 dB. In fact, it is a straight line. Hearing this difference is simply unrealistic. Embedded audio provides the same result.

The noise level characterizes the quality of the entire path, showing how large the intrinsic noise is when there is no signal at all. In our case, we have -111 dB, the best controllers on motherboards give about -90 dB. This is already a very tangible difference, showing the superiority of quality cards. In fact, the dynamic range also depends on this parameter, which, speaking simple language, indicates the difference between the minimum and maximum signal levels that the device can reproduce. Naturally, the higher it is, the better. In our case - about 110 dB, for a good built-in audio, for example, the same ALC889 - a maximum of 90 dB.

Distortion, both harmonic and intermodulation, characterizes the nonlinearity of the path. Simply put, the percentage of "garbage" in the original signal. The available parameter at the level of 0.0007% lies in the field of theoretical research, and cannot be heard by the ear.

In fact, all these numbers lie beyond the sensitivity for the human ear, but, surprisingly, there is a subjective difference. To confirm this, we conducted a subjective comparative test using near-field monitors KRK V8 v2. They took the ESI audio interface as opponents [email protected] and embedded audio on Realtek ALC889. When listening to various material, the differences between the Xonar DX and [email protected] we did not notice, at least not explicit. But the superiority over the ALC889 is felt. This is clearly seen in the detail of the mid frequencies.

Conclusion

As a result, we can say that in today's reality for ASUS Xonar DX is good choice for a multimedia computer. The card is affordable, good in games, and provides a sound level suitable for even very serious acoustics. Naturally, you can fully use the headphones.

Do not forget about the additional advantages, for example, the low-profile design, due to which the solution is perfect for HTPC.

Pros:

• affordable price;
• converters high class;
• low profile design.

Minuses:

• close location of connectors;
• combined input for microphone and line input;
• flimsy power contact.

Price

You can buy ASUS Xonar DX for about 2,500 rubles, and it really has few comparable worthy competitors. The closest option is probably the Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi Titanium. This card is no less versatile. It is suitable for gamers, and provides a decent sound level for high-quality audio lovers.

I don't think that many users personal computers focus on quality sound. But nevertheless - there are such! And I want to add you to this list of "interested" people with this little article about a sound card that justifies its price and is excellent in terms of price and quality. So, a review of the Asus Xonar DS sound card:

Foreword:

The Xonar lineup is large, with a myriad of sound cards. But the most budget-friendly and noteworthy option for a home media center would be the purchase of the Xonar D1. But, I don't have this card. Sure, it's slightly better than the Xonar DS (which I own), but it's also more expensive. And the average user will not notice much difference in sound quality between these two units.

Review: discrete type sound card. Plugs into a PCI slot (white connector on the motherboard). There is a variant of exactly the same card - Xonar DSX for a PCI-E x1 slot (as a rule, the smallest slot on a motherboard, is located just above or below the video card slot). Card without its own processor. This means that it will use CPU in the computer, loading it a little bit with additional work. However, op-amps (operational amplifiers) can be replaced on the card itself.

Outwardly, the card is quite nice, inspires "a sort of" confidence in the audiophile! (heh!). The board contains everything according to the standard, like any other electronics: capacitors (there are 16 of them on the card itself), resistors, transistors, op amps, DACs, and other software chips. Interfaces - 5 audio jacks (minijack 3.5 mm). One is for the microphone (pink). The second is the main sound. (green). The third and fourth ports (black and orange) are for additional hardware. Fifth (gray) - optical output for digital sound... The card is usually supplied in a black box, or in an OEM configuration (no box). In any case, the card will include:

- disk with outdated drivers
- documentation
- adapter for ODT.
- and a plug for installation in low-profile enclosures (with bolts).

By the way, if after installation you have no sound in your computer, we advise you to check different variants why it might happen.

The card itself costs at this time - about 2,000 rubles. In fact - an excellent price-performance ratio. When turned on, and initialized, it emits a "click", which indicates the successful launch of the card. I recommend the driver - Uni Xonar (you can download it from maxedtech.com). When adjusting the equalizer for the highest quality sound, I advise you to add low frequencies(30, 60 Hz), completely lower the frequencies 120, 250 Hz, and slightly raise the "high" ones (4KHz, 8KHz, 16KHz).

That's all! In fact, you decide whether to take a separate sound card, or use the integrated in motherboard... It all depends on your addiction to sound! Good luck!

Connection interface PCI

DAC, ADC Wolfson Microelectronics WM8776, WM8766

Signal Processor (DSP) ASUS AV200 (C-Media Oxygen HD CMI8788)

Front op amp NJM (JRC) 5532D, DIP-8

Sampling frequencies 44.1, 48, 96, 192 kHz

Permission 24 bit (32 bit - internal processing)

Analog inputs 1/8 "jack (Mic / Line In), AUX In, FP (HDA)

Analog outputs 1/8 "socket (4), FP (HDA)

Digital interfaces S / PDIF-out (2)

Signal level / input sensitivity 1V (RMS)

3D support API EAX 1.0 & 2.0, A3D 1.0, DirectSound, DS3D GX 2.5, Open AL (128 threads)

Estimated price $50

Affordable price; high-quality sound; easy replacement of the front op-amp; half height PCB and header included

High latency in ASIO 2.0

Another excellent product from ASUS for a market that was considered absolutely hopeless a few years ago

Sound cards of the ASUS Xonar family periodically appear on the pages of our weekly, since the manufacturer himself gives more than enough reasons for this.

The 7.1-channel Xonar DS we are reviewing today is a versatile PCI model designed for installation in media centers as well as PC-based gaming and theater systems. Its PCB is "half" high, and the kit comes with a replaceable socket for installing the card in slim-model desktop cases.

ASUS chose to use Wolfson Microelecronics chips. Stereo codec WM8776 allows performing D / A and D / A conversions with signal-to-noise ratio of 108 and 102 dB, respectively. The more affordable WM8766 DAC (103 dB SNR) is responsible for the remaining 6 playback channels, and digital processing audio is handled by audio DSP ASUS AV200 (C-Media Oxygen HD). It would seem that everything is typical - if not for one small nuance.

It is known that the simplest way improving the (subjective) sound quality of the board consists in replacing the standard operational amplifiers at its output. However, to perform this operation, you have to use a soldering iron, and at the same time be very careful, since manufacturers usually do not provide for the possibility of such an "upgrade" when designing a board.

But ASUS listened to the requests of a rather small cohort of enthusiasts, even among fans of high-quality sound, and installed the output op-amp into the DIP-8 "crib" connector, which can be replaced with a "flick of the hand".

Whether it will be claimed by end users is the tenth thing; the very fact of such an approach is much more eloquent. After all, from a production point of view, this is seemingly a penny question - and yet we have practically no chance of seeing a similar solution on, say, Creative motherboards.

ASUS XONAR DS PCI 7.1 Review

1. Introduction

2. Packing and equipment

3. Appearance

4. Characteristics

5. Installation

6. Test stand

7. Listening

8. Conclusion

Introduction.

Probably every computer owner sometime thinks about changing the built-in sound card to a discrete one.

They do not shine with the sound quality, the sound seems to be not alive, colored, sluggish, not giving any pleasure when listening. The listener, of course, hears something similar to music, but a very large part of the sounds in the songs is not possible to distinguish, they turn out to be blocked, smeared or simply unprocessed, because the built-in sound card was created with the expectation that it should reproduce the basic sounds and have as much as possible lower cost. This can be explained in words but what did you want for that kind of money? But again, a certain detail should be mentioned, you will not hear the difference if you do not have good enough acoustic system.

And now you have definitely decided that you already do not have enough built-in sound card, the question arises: what to choose? It all depends on the price and your preferences, which do you like more?

Let's say you want to listen to music, but you don’t want to pay a lot of money or you don’t have it (but again, it’s worth mentioning that having bought a mega studio sound card for speakers for 1500 rubles, you will not hear the expected result). Yes, you can also mention that before buying, you should consider several models, see reviews, find out if the card is compatible with your equipment, etc.

Packaging and equipment.

Let's start with packaging ..

The volumetric view allows you to estimate the size of the box.

The manufacturer on the box provides an image of the card itself and what basic technologies and goodies it supports.

On the back of the packaging, the manufacturer leads short description the main advantages and possibilities of the card in twelve languages.

When the cover is opened, more detailed description some technologies and features of the card.

The black inner packaging is nothing ordinary.

We open the package and see a card lying in a tray in an antistatic bag.

Raise the tray and find the rest of the contents at the bottom.

Here's what comes with the card besides the card itself.

It includes:

1. Adapter for connecting an ODT (Toslink) cable to a universal connector.

2. Blanking plug for installation in a low profile enclosure (with two screws).

3. CD disk.

4. User manual.

5. Well, the card itself.

Appearance.

Here she herself, to be honest, before I took her in my hands, represented her in a slightly larger size, but the sound is important to us.

The sound card inputs consist of four 3.5 mm minijack connectors and one optical digital audio output connector. From the top right corner of the card there are: an audio connector for the front panel, an audio input for other devices, an S / PDIF Out connector for connecting to a video card with support. HDMI.

There are no details on the back of the audio card, only a label with serial number and the country of production (guess which one).

Specifications