Music

Music

Software: Album Player V5.3e, Foobar V1.1.16 - Output Plugins: JPlay, ASIO - Test Track Format: FLAC

• Artist: Ozzy Osbourne
• Album: Scream,
• Track: Life won't wait

This track has a heavy bass line and the STX II handled it easily with no mushing or washout.The STX II produced and Impressive sound stage with an organic, true to life presentation.  I actually noted a couple aspects of this song other sources seemed to Gloss over or mush; A very simple guitar part embedded but part of the song.  The STX II offered such a clean reproduction that this small part was easily heard and brought to the surface where it was intended. 

• Artist: Three Days Grace
• Album: Transit to Venus
• Track: Chalk Outline

Again, the STX reproduced this track with excellent clarity awhile still leaving the life in the track. The separation and soundstage reproduction were excellent during testing.  This was one of the best reproductions I have heard of this track to date.  Bass, guitar, vocals all had a unique place in the mix which seemed very clean and pronounced. The STX II just produced toe tapping, head banging good ness.

• Artist: The Rolling Stones
• Album: Beggars Banquet
• Track: Sympathy for the Devil

The soundstage produced by the STX puts the listener right in front of the band. The reproduction was clean, clean, clean but still offering excellent musicality and life.  The guitar reproduction offers character with warm tubey distortion.  The sense of space in the mix could easily be heard offering a great sense of ambience.

• Artist: The Black Crowes
• Album: Croweology
• Track:  She Talks to Angels (Live)

The STX II just blew us away at this reproduction, offering the feeling of being right there in a night club listening to this classic live.  Very impressive indeed, with the playback producing a clean balanced sound with no mushing, or detail smearing. Warm, smooth and very musical....excellent sound!

• Artist: Staind
• Album: 14 Shades of Grey
• Track: So far Away

The vocal on this track seemed to be clearer, forward & pronounced while still maintaining a clear place within the mix.  Smooth clear bass lines and drums, blended cleanly with other sonic aspects.  The sonic reproduction was simply excellent for this test track.

• Artist: Kid Rock
• Album: Devil without a Cause
• Track: Only God Knows Why

What I started noting more and more with this card, is the background is dead black. You can hear the instruments, vocals but the reproduction is very authentic and true to life. I still managed to hear some details and inflections I have not heard on this track during reproduction from other sources.

Notes on Listening Tests:  We could keep listing tracks and try and describe what we heard, but that wouldn't do the card justice.  The STX II definitely pushes the envelope with amazing clarity, deep 3D soundstage reproduction kicking and punching bass production.