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Latest post 03-30-2008 12:24 AM by coolzonestefan. 11 replies.
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  • 03-19-2008 12:52 PM

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    ASUS Launches Xonar DX PCI-e 7.1 soundcard

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    Crystal Clear Audio for Gaming and Home Entertainment


    The ASUS Xonar DX PCI-e 7.1 soundcard delivers 35 times cleaner audio than integrated motherboard solutions


    FREMONT, CALIFORNIA (March 17, 2008) - Providing an alternative to flat and murky motherboard audio, ASUS, leading manufacturer of high quality computer components, releases the Xonar DX soundcard. Engineered for pristine, clean audio quality with a 116 dB Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), the Xonar DX is equipped with innovative technologies such as Dolby Home Theater and DirectSound3D Game Extensions 2.0 (DS3D GX2.0) offering immersive home theater audio and rich gaming sound features.


    35 Times Cleaner Audio Quality
    Today’s motherboards feature onboard audio solutions rated between 80-86 dB SNR. Low quality components and electrical interference introduce unintentional noise and distortion to the overall audio experience. Adopting CirrusLogics CS4398 Digital Analog Convertors (120 dB SNR & 117 dB THD+N), the Xonar DX achieves 30% cleaner sound. The Xonar DX dramatically minimizes the output of background noise, as little as 1/32 (-105dB) of the total harmonics distortion versus traditional motherboard audio (-75dB). Listeners can now enjoy clean audio as it was meant to be heard.


    Latest DirectSound & EAX 5.0 Compatibility
    With Windows Vista’s new audio architecture, many gamers are unable to take advantage of multi-channel sound, DirectSound; and EAX 5.0 sound effects in PC games. The Xonar DX solves all these problems. With DS3D GX 2.0 technology, the Xonar DX supports the latest EAX effects and DirectSound out of the box. Gamers can dive into a truly engaging sonic experience.


    Innovative VocalFX Enliven Online Chat
    VocalFX applies voice processing technology to gaming landscapes (VoiceEX), and emulates background scenes in online chat (ChatEX). It also allows users to disguise or modify the pitch of their voice (MagicVoice). With VocalFX, online voices are a part of the game.


    Low Profile Design and Front Panel Header
    The Xonar DX’s low profile design and its bundled mini-bracket offers compatibility with small form factor and home theater PC chassis. A front-panel header makes headphones and microphones conveniently accessible from the front.


    Dolby Sound Technologies
    Similar to other ASUS Xonar audio solutions, the Xonar DX card is packed with multiple Dolby sound technologies to deliver outstanding multimedia entertainment. Special features include Dolby Digital Live, which converts PC or game audio content into Dolby Digital in real-time; Dolby Headphone, which simulates a surround sound listening experience using any set of headphones; Dolby Virtual Speaker, which delivers a vibrant surround sound listening experience from stereo speakers and Dolby Pro Logic IIx, which creates up to 7.1-channel surround sounds from stereo or 5.1 sources.


    Specifications:




















































    Audio Performance

    Description


    Output Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-Weighted):


    116 dB (Front)
    112 dB (Other)


    Input Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-Weighted):


    112dB


    Output THD + Noise at 1kHz (-3dB) :


    0.00056% (-105 dB) (Front)


    Input THD + Noise at 1kHz (-3dB) :


    0.0004% (-108 dB) (Line-in)


    Frequency Response (-3dB, 24-bit/96kHz):



    Output/Input Full-Scale Voltage


    2 Vrms (5.65 Vp-p)


    Bus Compatibility


    PCI Express


    -PCI Express Rev.1.0a compatible
    -Max. full 2.5Gbps bandwidth per direction and optimized latency for high-definition audio processing
    -Compatible with X1, X4, X8, X16 PCI Express slots


    Main Chipset


    Audio Processor


    ASUS AV100 High-Definition Sound Processor (Max. 192KHz/24bit)


    24-bit D-A Converter of Digital Sources:


    Cirrus-Logic CS4398*1 (Front) 120dB SNR, Max. 192kHz/24bit
    Cirrus-Logic CS4362A*1 for other 6 channels 114 dB SNR, Max. 192kHz/24bit


    24-bit A-D Converter for Analog Inputs:


    Cirrus-Logic CS5361*1 114 dB SNR, Max. 192kHz/24bit


    Sample Rate and Resolutions


    Analog Playback Sample Rate and Resolution


    44.1K/48K/96K/192KHz @ 16/24bit


    Analog Recording Sample Rate and Resolution


    44.1K/48K/96K/192KHz @ 16/24bit


    S/PDIF Digital Output


    44.1K/48K/96K/192KHz @ 16/24bit, Dolby Digital, DTS




    Availability
    The Xonar DX will be available via ASUS North American resellers starting March 24, 2008. The introductory MSRP is $89 USD.
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  • 03-19-2008 3:09 PM In reply to

    Re: ASUS Launches Xonar DX PCI-e 7.1 soundcard

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    I was really waiting for this.The PCI version is also very good
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  • 03-19-2008 4:06 PM In reply to

    • trueg50
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    Re: ASUS Launches Xonar DX PCI-e 7.1 soundcard

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     Xtremeaudio killer anyone?

    Now we just need Creative to make a PCI-E sound card (Xtremeaudio is nothing more than glorified integrated).....

     

    This would be an excellant choice for small Media center's.

    E6400 3.4 1.45 Vcore (35 idle, 45 load) Asus P5N32-E SLI (1205 bios) 4gb OCZ reapers 4-4-4-12 850 mhz 1T EVGA 8800GT 1.25 V mod, 800 / 1900 shader / 1970 mem 2 x 7200.10 320 gb RAID 0 , 1 x 200 gb for backup Apogee GT, BIP III, Swiftech MCP-655 Thermaltake Armor
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  • 03-19-2008 6:43 PM In reply to

    • frg1
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    Re: ASUS Launches Xonar DX PCI-e 7.1 soundcard

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    not a bad price 

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  • 03-19-2008 7:58 PM In reply to

    • trueg50
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    Re: ASUS Launches Xonar DX PCI-e 7.1 soundcard

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     Not in the least bit.

     

    Unfortunately it slides right in below the Xtreme Gamer, also low profile but has an actual X-Fi chip.

     

    Unless they have a much superior chip than the Xonar, I find this hard to recommend over the Xtreme gamer.

    E6400 3.4 1.45 Vcore (35 idle, 45 load) Asus P5N32-E SLI (1205 bios) 4gb OCZ reapers 4-4-4-12 850 mhz 1T EVGA 8800GT 1.25 V mod, 800 / 1900 shader / 1970 mem 2 x 7200.10 320 gb RAID 0 , 1 x 200 gb for backup Apogee GT, BIP III, Swiftech MCP-655 Thermaltake Armor
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  • 03-19-2008 8:04 PM In reply to

    • AjayD
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    Excellent SNR and THD figures, but most people will be unable to truly benefit from these improvements with the speakers they have. Speakers made by Logitech, Creative and even Altec Lansing have very poor THD when compared to good home theater speakers. The best I have seen is 10%, if you can even find a THD rating by these manufactures that is. Any quality speakers will have a THD rating of 0.1%.

    Though most people may not be able take advantage of the cleaner audio without buying better speakers, they will be able to utilize features such as the latest DirectSound, EAX 5.0 Compatibility and VocalFX.

    Does ASUS offer this level of quality on any of the on board audio in their motherboards yet?

    ***** Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted. *****

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  • 03-19-2008 8:22 PM In reply to

    • frg1
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    Re:

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    they should intergrate this in there motherboards 

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  • 03-19-2008 9:19 PM In reply to

    • trueg50
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    They already have by far the best integrated audio, their sound "mini-cards" are daughter cards, removing interfeirence from the motherboard.

     

    To incorperate these kinds of cards to motherboards would kill the quality due to interference, as well as inflating the cost of the motherboards.

    E6400 3.4 1.45 Vcore (35 idle, 45 load) Asus P5N32-E SLI (1205 bios) 4gb OCZ reapers 4-4-4-12 850 mhz 1T EVGA 8800GT 1.25 V mod, 800 / 1900 shader / 1970 mem 2 x 7200.10 320 gb RAID 0 , 1 x 200 gb for backup Apogee GT, BIP III, Swiftech MCP-655 Thermaltake Armor
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  • 03-19-2008 10:24 PM In reply to

    • frg1
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    Re: Re:

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    didnt know that 

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  • 03-19-2008 11:02 PM In reply to

    Re: Re:

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    The old version,the PCI one supports too EAX 5.0,so it is truly an X-fi killer
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  • 03-20-2008 7:30 AM In reply to

    • Lev_Astov
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    I've been meaning to get a xonar, but this one is so much better priced and has what seems like all the same features, so I might just have to get this one. My only concern is that this one does not appear to have an optical toslink connector, which I use in my home theater system, which is a Klipsch system.

    ><((((">Lev Astov
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  • 03-30-2008 12:24 AM In reply to

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    For its price,I guess it is the best card to get.If you want much more performance,and quality,I recommend an Auzentech Prelude 7.1 but it is way more expensive! 

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