Mumbai: ASUS launched its new soundcards Essence STX II and Essence STX II 7.1 with 124dB signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) clarity and a 600ohm-headphone amplifier. Essence STX II and STX II 7.1 build on the success and huge popularity of ASUS Essence STX . These Essence soundcards are encapsulated by MUSES 8920 and MUSES 8820 op-amps.
Commenting on the launch, Ives Chiu, ASUS Product Manager for the Audio Sector in the Multimedia Business Department, said, “Four years after the debut of Essence STX, ASUS remains committed to delivering ever better high-end sound cards to delight the most demanding audiophiles. Drawing on years of experience in developing Essence One, Essence STU and Essence III, Essence STX II delivers meticulous design, quintessential performance and profound musicality — elements that shape the spirit of the whole Essence Hi-Fi series.”
The new Essence STX II and STX II 7.1 cards both feature a remarkable 124dB SNR for line-out connections and 120dB SNR for headphone listening. These soundcards include a precision clock that is controlled by a temperature-compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO) clock source that ensures ultra-low jitter, high-fidelity LDO regulators for consistent linear regulation. In addition, it has an optimized power delivery which is assured with low-dropout (LDO) regulators, along with that it has a German made WIMA capacitors that deliver balanced sound.
It has an amplifier that delivers output for up to 600ohm headphones, an additional gain control for in-ear monitor (IEM) headphones, high-quality MUSES operational amplifiers (op-amps) and an included op-amp swap kit. Essence STX II 7.1 comes with the ability to output true 7.1-channel surround sound, via the included simple-to-fit daughterboard.
Both Essence STX II and STX II 7.1 benefit from swappable op-amp sockets and come with a swap kit that includes three additional op-amps — two Texas Instruments LME49720s and one MUSES 8820 — that allow users to create different timbres and tonal combinations. The swap kit includes a clamp tool that makes it easy to remove the op-amp microchips.
These sound cards are available in the market, with Essence STX II at an MRP of Rs 16,500 and the Essence STX II 7.1 at an MRP of Rs 20,000.
