Asus Xonar Xense 7.1 Soundcard review

Audio Performance

Output Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-Weighted):
118 dB
Input Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-Weighted):
118 dB
Output THD+N at 1kHz:
0.00039% (-108dB) for Front channel of Line-out
Input THD+N at 1kHz:
0.0003% (-110dB) for Line-in
Frequency Response (-3dB, 24-bit/96kHz input):
<10Hz to 46KHz
Output/Input Full-Scale Voltage
2 Vrms (5.65 Vp-p)

Bus Compatibility

PCI Express:
PCI Express Rev.1.0a specification compatible.
Maximum full 2.5Gbps bandwidth per direction and optimized latency for high-definition audio processing.
Compatible with X1, X4, X8, X1 6 PCI Express slots.

Main Chipset

Audio Processor:
ASUS AV100 High-Definition Sound Processor (Max. 192kHz/24bit))
24-bit D-A Converter of Digital Sources:
Texas Instruments PCM1796*1 for Front-Out (123dB SNR, Max. 192kHz/24bit); Cirrus-Logic CS4362A*1 for other 6 channels (114dB SNR, Max.192kHz/24bit)
24-bit A-D Converter for Analog Inputs:
Cirrus-Logic CS5381 x 1 (120dB SNR, Max. 192kHz/24bit)
High Fidelity Headphone Amplifier:
Texas Instruments 6120A2*1 (120dB SNR, -117dB THD+N @ Vcc+-12V, RL=600�, f=1kHz)

Sample Rate and Resolution

Analog Playback Sample Rate and Resolution:
44.1K/48K/96K/192KHz @ 16/24bit
Analog Recording Sample Rate and Resolution:
44.1K/48K/96K/192KHz @ 16/24bit
S/PDIF Digital Output:
44.1K/48K/96K/192KHz @ 16/24bit, Dolby Digital
ASIO 2.0 Driver Support:
44.1K/48K/96K/192KHz @16/24bit with very low latency

I/O Ports

Analog Output Jack:
6.30mm jack*1 (Headphone out); 7.1ch analog output (via bundled audio splitter cable)
Analog Input Jack:
6.30mm jack *1 (Shared by Line-In/Mic-In)
Other line-level analog input (for CD-IN/TV Tuner):
Aux-In (4-pin header on the card)
Digital S/PDIF Output:
High-bandwidth Coaxial/TOS-Link combo port supports 192KHz/24bit
Front-Panel Header:
Shared by Headphone out / 2 channels out / Microphone in

Driver Features

Operation System:
Windows 7/Vista/XP/MCE2005
Dolby� Technologies:
Dolby� Digital Live, Dolby� Headphone, Dolby� Virtual Speaker, Dolby� Pro-Logic II
Smart Volume Normalizer�:
Normalizes the volume of all audio sources into a constant level and also enhances your 3D sound listening range and advantages in gaming
Xear 3D� Virtual Speaker Shifter:
Virtual 7.1 speaker positioning
FlexBass�:
Professional Bass Management/Enhancement system
Other Effects:
10-band Equalizer/27 Environment Effects
3D Sound Engines/APIs:
DirectSound3D� GX 2.0 & 1.0, EAX�2.0&1.0, DirectSound� HW, DirectSound SW, OpenAL generic modes, 128 3D sounds processing capability
DS3D GX2.5:
GX 2.5 supports EAX gaming sound effects and DirectSound 3D hardware enhanced functions for more games on Windows XP/Vista/7. (DirectX/DirectSound 3D compatible)

Size (Width x Height)

111.15mm x 178.06mm