The Asus Xonar Essence STU USB DAC + Headphone Amplifier offers even more premium audio quality plus easy controls and connectivity for discerning music lovers who need a good DAC and headphone amplifier to drive the full capabilities of their high-end headphones.
Features:
High quality precision audio: Xonar Essence STU delivers clean, clear, and low distortion sound with 120dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) thanks to exacting hardware design and top-notch component selection.
Precision clock tuning technology: Xonar Essence STU embeds a precise clock tuning IC that kills jitter prior to signal processing, ensuring the highest fidelity with extensive detail and lively sound imaging.
Digital-to-analog converter (DAC): High fidelity Texas Instruments PCM1792A DC delivers accurate digital-to-analog conversion, sensational audio clarity, and low distortion.
Audiophile-approved capacitors: WIMA FKP2 and Nichicon Finegold capacitors deliver balanced and rich sound.
Asynchronous audio transfer: Asynchronous USB transfer mode separates unstable and noisy clocks generated by the computer or its USB interface logic, maintaining sync with master clock circuitry on Xonar Essence STU.
Balanced (or mirrored) PB layout: Symmetrical analog output path ensures balanced and truthful representation of all sound sources and minimal crosstalk.
Headphone amplifier: Renowned TPA6120A2 headphone amplifier supports up to 600ohm impedance, driving all headphones available in the market. It empowers your favourite set with dynamic and detailed sound.
Headphone gain switch: Xonar Essence STU offers readily accessible switching between low and high gain settings accommodating better listening experiences across a wide range of headphones, from in-ear headsets (typically 160hm-32ohm) to premium full-size headphones (up to 600ohm). This is especially useful with the increasing popularity of mobile devices, which normally ship with low impedance/high sensitivity headsets
Convenient tonal tuning: Xonar Essence STU has room for three swappable Op-Amps (operational amplifiers), which you can replace to adjust tonal performance based on personal taste. This open-ended and customizable design is inherited from previous Xonar Essence audio products, and remains true to the series' commitment to accommodating as many audiophile preferences as possible. Texas Instruments NS-LME49720 and NS-LM4562NA Op-Amps deliver acoustics fine-tuned by audio engineers to support livelier, more detailed, and more spacious sound.
By-passing volume jumper switch: The included jumper switch re-routes sound and allows Xonar Essence STU to be used as a pre-amplifier in conjunction with a dedicated power amplifier. You can opt to adjust master volume directly on the power amplifier without having to reach Xonar Essence STU controls.
Selectable DC servo headphone output: Many music enthusiasts choose to solder a DC servo on their DAC to minimize power-up pop noise on the renowned TPA6120A2 headphone amplifier. The dedicated DC servo on Xonar Essence STU offers a convenient and solder-free alternative
Specifications:
Audio Performance
- Output Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-Weighted) (Front-out): 120 dB
- Output THD+N at 1kHz (Front-out): >0.00036 %(-108 dB)
- Frequency Response (-3dB, 24bit/192KHz input): 10 Hz to 48 KHz
- Output/Input Full-Scale Voltage: Unbalanced Output: 2 Vrms (Vp-p)
- Headphone: 7 Vrms ( Vp-p)
Bus Compatability
- USB 2.0 high-speed
Chipset
- Audio Processor :-Media CM6631A High-Definition Sound Processor
Sample Rate and Resolution
- Analog Playback Sample Rate and Resolution: 44.1K/48K/88.2K/96K/176.4K/192KHz @ 16bit/24bit
- ASIO Driver Support: 44.1K/48K/88.2K/96K/176.4K/192KHz @16bit/24bit
Connectivity
- Analog Output
- 1 × 6.3 mm jack (1/4"") Headphone out
- 2 × RCA (Un-Balanced)
- Digital
- 2 x S/PDIF in (1 x Optical (Toslink)/1 x Coaxial)
- 1 x Aux in 3.5mm jack (1/8')
Operating System
- Windows 8, 32bit/64bit
- Windows 7, 32bit/64bit
- Windows XP, 32bit/64bit
- Mac OS X*
What's in the box
1 x Asus Xonar Essence STU USB DAC + Headphone Amplifier
