Asus xonar ds 7.1 is suitable for Canopus. ASUS Xonar DX sound card. Good sound at a reasonable price. ASUS Xonar DX Software

Connection interface PCI

DAC, ADC Wolfson Microelectronics WM8776, WM8766

Signal Processor (DSP) ASUS AV200 (C-Media Oxygen HD CMI8788)

Front op amp NJM(JRC)5532D, DIP-8

Sampling rates 44.1, 48, 96, 192 kHz

Permission 24 bits (32 bits - internal processing)

Analog inputs 1/8" jack (Mic/Line In), AUX In, FP (HDA)

Analogue outputs 1/8" socket (4), FP (HDA)

Digital interfaces S/PDIF output (2)

Signal level/input sensitivity 1 V (RMS)

3D support API EAX 1.0&2.0, A3D 1.0, DirectSound, DS3D GX 2.5, Open AL (128 streams)

Approximate price $50

Affordable price; high-quality sound; easy replacement of front op-amp; half height PCB and header included

High latency in ASIO 2.0

Another great product from ASUS for a market that was considered completely unpromising just a few years ago

Sound cards from the ASUS Xonar family periodically appear on the pages of our weekly magazine, fortunately the manufacturer itself gives more than enough reasons for this.

The 7.1-channel Xonar DS being reviewed today is a universal PCI model and is intended for installation in both media centers and PC-based gaming and cinema systems. Its PCB is “half” height, and the kit comes with a replacement block for installing the card in slim-model desktop cases.

ASUS chose to use Wolfson Microelecronics chips. The WM8776 stereo codec allows for DA and AD conversion with a signal-to-noise ratio of 108 and 102 dB, respectively. The remaining 6 playback channels are handled by the more affordable WM8766 DAC (103 dB SNR), and digital sound processing is handled by the ASUS AV200 audio DSP (C-Media Oxygen HD). It would seem that everything is typical - if not for one small nuance.

It is known that the simplest way to improve the (subjective) sound quality of a board is to replace the standard operational amplifiers at its output. However, to perform this operation you have to use a soldering iron, and at the same time be very careful, since manufacturers usually do not provide for the possibility of such an “upgrade” when designing the board.

But ASUS listened to the requests of a fairly small cohort of enthusiasts, even among lovers of high-quality sound, and installed the output op-amp in the DIP-8 “crib” connector, which can be replaced with a “light movement of the hand.”

Will this be in demand? end users- the tenth thing; The very fact of such an approach is much more eloquent. After all, from a production point of view, this would seem to be a cheap question - and yet we have practically no chance of seeing a similar solution on boards from, say, Creative.

Review of ASUS XONAR DS PCI 7.1

1. Introduction

2. Packaging and accessories

3. Appearance

4. Characteristics

5. Installation

6. Test stand

7. Audition

8. Conclusion

Introduction.

Probably every computer owner at some point thinks about replacing the built-in sound card with a discrete one.

They do not shine with sound quality, the sound seems not to be alive, colored, sluggish, and does not give any pleasure when listening. The listener, of course, hears something similar to music, but it is not possible to distinguish a very large part of the sounds in the songs; they turn out to be blocked, blurred or simply unprocessed, because the built-in sound card was created with the expectation that it should reproduce the main sounds and have as much lower cost. This can be explained in words: what did you want for that kind of money? But again a certain detail should be mentioned, you will not hear the difference if you do not have a good enough sound system.

And now you have definitely decided that you no longer have enough built-in sound card, the question arises: what to choose? It all depends on the price and your preferences, what do you like more?

Let’s say you want to listen to music, but you don’t want to pay a lot of money or you don’t have it (but again, it’s worth mentioning that if you buy a mega studio sound card for speakers for 1,500 rubles, you won’t hear the expected result). Yes, we can also mention that before purchasing it is worth considering several models, look at reviews, find out if the card is compatible with your equipment, etc.

Packaging and equipment.

Let's start with the packaging...

The three-dimensional view allows you to estimate the size of the box.

On the box, the manufacturer provides an image of the card itself and what basic technologies and features it supports.

On the back of the package the manufacturer provides short description the main advantages and capabilities of the card in twelve languages.

When opening the cover we are presented with more detailed description some technologies and features of the map.

The inner packaging is black, nothing ordinary.

We open the package and see in front of us a card lying in a tray, placed in an antistatic bag.

We lift the tray and find the rest of the contents at the bottom.

Here's what comes with the card besides the card itself.

It includes:

1. Adapter for connecting the ODT (Toslink) cable to a universal connector.

2. Plug for installation in a low-profile housing (with two bolts).

3. CD disk.

4. User manual.

5. Well, the map itself.

Appearance.

To be honest, before I picked it up I imagined it in a slightly larger size, but the sound is important to us.

The sound card inputs consist of four 3.5 mm minijack connectors and one optical digital audio output connector. In the upper right corner of the card there are: an audio connector for the front panel, an audio input for other devices, an S/PDIF Out connector for connecting to a video card with support HDMI

There are no parts on the back of the audio card, only a label with serial number and country of production (guess which one).

Characteristics

I don't think that many users personal computers focus on quality sound. But nevertheless, there are such people! And I want to add you to this list of “interested” people with this short article about a sound card that justifies its price and has an excellent price-quality ratio. So, review of the Asus Xonar DS sound card:

Preface:

The Xonar line is large, there are countless sound cards. But the most budget-friendly and noteworthy option for a home media center would be to purchase the Xonar D1. But, I don't have this card. Sure, it's a little better than the Xonar DS (which I have), but it's also more expensive. But the average user will not notice much of a difference in sound quality between these two units.

Review: discrete sound card. Connects to the PCI connector (white connector on the motherboard). There is an option for exactly the same card - Xonar DSX for the PCI-E x1 slot (usually the smallest slot on the motherboard, located just above or below the video card slot). Card without its own processor. This means that to process sound it will use the central processor in the computer, loading it a little bit extra work. However, op-amps (operational amplifiers) can be replaced on the card itself.

Externally, the card is quite attractive and inspires “sort of” confidence in an audiophile! (heh!). Everything is located on the board according to the standard, like any electronics: capacitors (there are 16 of them on the card itself), resistors, transistors, op-amps, DACs, and other software chips. Interfaces - 5 audio jacks (minijack 3.5 mm). One is for the microphone (pink). The second is the main sound. (green). The third and fourth ports (black and orange) are for additional equipment. The fifth (gray) is an optical output for digital audio. The card is usually supplied in a black box, or in OEM configuration (without a box). In any case, the card will include:

- disk with outdated drivers
- documentation
— adapter for ODT.
— and a plug for installation in low-profile cases (with bolts).

By the way, if after installation there is no sound on your computer, we advise you to check different options why this might happen.

The card itself currently costs about 2,000 rubles. In fact - an excellent price in terms of price-performance ratio. When turned on and initialized, it makes a “click” sound, which indicates the successful launch of the card. The driver I recommend is Uni Xonar (you can download it from maxedtech.com). When setting the equalizer for maximum quality sound, I advise you to increase low frequencies(30, 60 Hz), completely lower the frequencies 120, 250 Hz, and slightly raise the “high” ones (4KHz, 8KHz, 16KHz).

That's all! In fact, it's up to you to decide whether to take a separate sound card or use the integrated one. motherboard. It all depends on your taste for sound! Good luck!