Essence STX II

48 Pages·2014·5.06 MB·English

Essence STX II
Audio card
User Guide
E91
First Edition
February 014
Copyright © 2014 ASUSTeK Computer Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Contents
Chapter 1: Product introduction
Package contents .............................................................................................................................5
System requirements ......................................................................................................................5
Specifications summary .................................................................................................................6
Essence STX II card layout .............................................................................................................9
Chapter 2: Getting started
Before you proceed .......................................................................................................................1
Installing the audio card ..............................................................................................................1
Installing the audio card driver .................................................................................................14
Chapter 3: Connecting speakers and peripherals
Connecting digital speaker systems (Home Theater) .......................................................15
Connecting stereo headphones ...............................................................................................16
Connecting /.1 channel speakers ........................................................................................17
Connecting a microphone ..........................................................................................................18
Connecting Line-In audio sources ...........................................................................................19
Chapter 4: Audio Center
Audio Center ....................................................................................................................................1
Main Setting .....................................................................................................................................
Mixer/Volume ..................................................................................................................................1
Effects ..............................................................................................................................................4
Karaoke ..............................................................................................................................................6
FlexBass ..............................................................................................................................................7
Smart Volume Normalization .....................................................................................................8
DSD GX and DSP Modes ............................................................................................................40
VocalFX ..............................................................................................................................................4
Appendices
Troubleshooting and FAQs
Troubleshooting .............................................................................................................................45
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) ..........................................................................................46
ASUS contact information ...........................................................................................................47

4
Chapter 1
Product introduction
Package contents
• ASUS Essence STX II audio card x 1
• Quick Start Guide x 1
• Low Profile Bracket x1
• 6.mm to .5mm adapter x 1
• S/PDIF adapter x 1
• Op-amp swap kit x 1
• Installation CD x 1
• RCA-to-.5mm adapter cable x 1
Contact your dealer or retailer if any of the items is damaged or missing.
System requirements
To ensure a successful installation of ASUS Essence STX II, your computer must meet the following
requirements:
• IBM compatible PC with one PCI-Express 1.0 (or higher) compatible slot for the audio card
• Microsoft® Windows® 8.1 / 8 / 7 / XP (/64bit)
• Intel® Pentium® 4 1.4GHz, AMD Athlon 1400 CPU, or faster CPU
• 56 MB DRAM system memory
• 60 MB available HDD space
• CD-ROM drive (or DVD-ROM drive) for software installation
• High-quality headphones or powered analog speakers to enjoy the ultra-high fidelity sound
of the card
ASUS Essence STX II 5
Specifications summary
ITEM DESCRIPTION
EE
NN Audio Performance
GG HH
LL Output Signal-to-Noise Ratio 14dB for Front-out SS
ISIS (AWeighted) LILI
HH 10dB for Headphone-out at 600ohms GG
NN
Input Signal-to-Noise Ratio 118dB
EE
(AWeighted)
Output Total Harmonic 0.000% (-110dB) for Front-out
Distortion + Noise
0.001% (-100dB) for Headphone-out
at 1kHz (-dB) :
Input Total Harmonic Distortion 0.000% (-11dB) for Line-In
+ Noise at 1kHz (-dB)
Frequency Response (-dB, 4- 10Hz to 90KHz
bit/96kHz format)
Output/Input Full-Scale Voltage  Vrms (Line Out)
7 Vrms (Headphone Out)
Headphone Impedance Optimized for ~600ohm
Main Chipset
Audio Processor ASUS AV100 High Definition Sound Processor
(Maximum 19KHz/4bit)
4-bit D-A Converter of Digital Texas Instruments PCM179A*1 for Front Out
Sources (17dB SNR, 19kHz/4bit)
High Fidelity Headphone Texas Instruments 610A*1 (10dB SNR, 100dB
Amplifier THD+N @ Vcc+- 1V, R = 600ohms, f=1kHz)
L
4-bit A-D Converter for Analog Cirrus-Logic CS581*1 (10dB SNR, Maximum
Inputs 19kHz/4bit)
Sample Rate and Resolution
Analog Playback Sample Rate 44.1K/48K/96K/19kHz @ 16/4bit
and Resolution
Analog Recording Sample Rate 44.1K/48K/96K/19kHz @ 16/4bit
and Resolution
SPDIF Digital Output 44.1K/48K/96K/19kHz @ 16/4bit,
Dolby Digital
continued on the next page)
6 Chapter 1: Product introduction
ITEM DESCRIPTION
EE
NN
I/O Ports
GG HH
LL Analog Output Jack RCA jack * (Front R/Front L) SS
ISIS LILI
HH 6.0mm jack *1 (Headphone Out) GG
NN
Analog Input Jack 6.0mm jack *1 (Shared by Line-In/Mic-In) EE
Digital S/PDIF Output High bandwidth Coaxial/TOSLINK combo port
supports 19kHz/4bit
Front Panel Shared by Headphone out/ channels out /
Microphone in
Driver Features
Operating System Windows® XP/7/8 (/64bit)
Dolby® Digital Live Dolby® Digital Live encodes any audio signal on
PC in real-time to Dolby Digital (AC) 5.1 surround
sounds to your home theater environment
through one signal S/PDIF connection.
Dolby® Headphone Dolby® Headphone technology allows users to
listen to music, watch movies, or play games with
the dramatic sound.
Dolby® Virtual Speaker Dolby® Virtual Speaker technology simulates
a highly realistic 5.1-speaker surround sound
listening environment from as few as two speakers.
Dolby® Pro-Logic II Dolby® Pro-Logic II is the well-known technology
to process any native stereo or 5.1-channel audio
into a 6.1-channel output, creating a seamless,
natural surround soundfield.
VocalFX™ :• VoiceEX: produces vivid environmental
reverberation for your voice to others in EAX
games.
• Local VoiceEX: enables yourself to hear the vivid
environmental reverberation by your speakers
• ChatEX: emulates different background
environment effects when you chat online
continued on the next page)
ASUS Essence STX II 7
ITEM DESCRIPTION
EE
NN Smart Volume Normalizer™ Normalizes the volume of all audio sources into a
GG constant level and also enhances your D sound HH
LL SS
ISIS listening range and advantages in gaming. LILI
HH Karaoke Functions Music Key-Shifting, Vocal Cancellation, and GG
NN
Microphone Echo effects like professional Karaoke
EE
machine
FlexBass™ Professional Bass Management/Enhancement
system
Xear D™ Virtual Speaker Shifter Virtual 7.1 speaker positioning
Other Effects 10-band Equalier/7 Environment Effects
ASIO .0 Driver Support Supports 44.1K/48K/96K/19KHz @16/4bit with
very low latency
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
8 Chapter 1: Product introduction
Essence STX II card layout
I/O ports
EE
NN
GG HH
LL SS
ISIS LILI
HH GG
NN
EE
Front right RCA output. Connect to the right input of the /.1-channel speakers of
your system.
Front left RCA output. Connect to the left input of the /.1-channel spearkers of your
system.
Amplified 6.3mm (1/4") headphone output. Connect to your headphones/headsets.
• To prevent possible damage, please set up the compatible gain in audio center or mute the
volume before powering up.
• DO NOT connect your speakers to the headphone output port. The possible high driving
power may cause damage to your speakers.
6.3mm analog input (Line-in/Mic-in). Connect to your microphone with built-
in microphone amplifier or audio devices with line output such as MP player or
synthesizer.
S/PDIF coaxial output: Connect to the external digital decoder, digital speaker
system, and home theater system, outputting digital audio including PCM, Dolby
Digital, DTS and WMA-pro.
PCI Express finger: Connect to a PCI Express slot on your motherboard.
ASUS Essence STX II 9
Multi-channel expansion board bridge connector: Connect to the multi-channel
EE expansion board of Essence STX II 7.1 edition or Xonar H6.
NN
GG HH
4-pin Molex power connector: Connect to the power cable of your power supply
LL SS
ISIS unit. LILI
HH GG
STX requires a 4-pin Molex connection to power the card.
NN
EE
Front panel audio header: Connect to the chassis-mounted audio module.
10 Chapter 1: Product introduction