ASUS Xonar Essence STX, SNR up to 124dB

[Donnie27]

Donnie -

Yeah, I s'pose none of 'em are perfect. I guess it depends on the rest of your rig as to what if any probs you might have with sound card drivers.

I say: flip a coin, pick a good one and hope for the best.

You have a Scout? Noice 'table! I upgraded my HW-19 to Mk IV level long ago, then replaced the original springs with AudioQuest sorbothane Big Feet on all 4 corners. Very worth it, and no sandbox or Towhshend-type base needed. Now I can stomp the piss outta the drum kit in the same room, crank the N803's up LOUD with the Baron, and have never had a feedback issue nor a skipped a groove. It is truly f*ckin amazing! Gets along nicely with the Well Tempered Classic arm & VandenHul Frog cart too.

Do you also have a PLC? Helps in the bass dept.

I saw a lot that caused the so called driver problems. These sound cards don't like (not saying they will not work) systems overclocked to the brink, certain chipsets, contending with a lot of USB devices, Certain Cheap PSU's, known problem with nVidia and VIA chipsets, overclocked RAM, Hot interior of cases plus many more screw ups. I've fixed a ton for folks, saw many of these problems first hand!

Hell no, I don't have a Scout or any of that stuff I mentioned. I'am an Audio Nut that will drive 40 miles one way to hear it at a Bud's home. He even has a listening Room, chair and everything calibrated. We do a lot of stuff through Acoustic Sounds and Music Direct.

http://store.acousticsounds.com/
http://www.musicdirect.com/

He and his wife has a nice collection of 180 and 200 Grain Albums. Still, my favorite is remastered SACD.

He has this model.
http://www.musicdirect.com/product/84180

Upgraded from the S-1. The funny thing is, another guy was bragging about paying 6.5K for the same TT Yes, expensive but no need to waste even more money and this is not even the best deal. He says money is an Object High costs don't always mean the best and you DON'T always get what you pay for. I miss my old Phase Linear Series II system.