Asus Xonar Essence STX soundcard

[Labarum]

Anyone heard the Asus Xonar Essence STX?

Details here

http://usa.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=zCDHPnfR1jymHK2f&templete=2

Review here

http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/asus_xonar_essence_stx/

About £140

[WAD62]

Yes it is very good indeed for an internal soundcard, probably one of the best on the market for pure stereo reproduction, and the RF shield around it is a nice feature.

I decided against it for a couple of reasons, I built my tower about 4 years ago, and my one PCI express slot is taken up by an ASUS graphics card, there is an ST (PCI) but that's old technology, and not future proof.

The second was cash, if I was going to spend £150 on sound from my computer I'd rather get an external USB DAC, which would be comparable in quality, and more flexible in the long run.

I ended up buying a second hand M-Audio 2496 (PCI) for £40, not as good as the ASUS, but a slightly more attractive price point...