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Guru3D Rig of the Month - December 2018
ASUS Xonar U7 MkII External Sound Card
ASUS announced Xonar U7 MKII, a USB sound card and headphone amplifier. The compact Xonar U7 MKII is an upgraded version of the acclaimed Xonar U7 and features true 7.1-channel,192kHz/24-bit high-definition (HD) surround-sound output for incredible audio performance.
Xonar U7 MKII comes with ASUS Sonic Studio, a software utility with an intuitive single-screen interface that provides complete control over a wide range of audio features, and Sonic Radar Pro, a feature for gamers that visually maps in-game sounds in first-person shooter (FPS) games to provide a competitive advantage.
- True 7.1-channel, 192kHz/24-bit HD surround sound with a 114dB SNR from a compact, USB-powered device
- Integrated headphone amplifier boosts sound and reveals musical details
- Dedicated headphone and mic volume controls enable instant audio adjustments for better gaming and media streaming experiences
- Clickable volume control knob for convenient switching between headphone and speaker output
- Sonic Studio software suite with intuitive, single-screen interface and Sonic Radar Pro for mapping opponent locations in first-person shooters
ASUS Xonar U7 MKII retains the compact USB-powered design that was a highlight of the original Xonar U7 and delivers true 7.1-channel, 192kHz/24-bit HD audio, outperforming most available USB-powered audio devices. With a high-quality Cirrus Logic CS4398 digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and exclusive ASUS Hyper Grounding technology, Xonar U7 MKII has a 114dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), ensuring ultra-pure sound for the best listening experiences. The small size of Xonar U7 MKII takes up minimal room on a desk, and makes it easily portable, so laptop users can enjoy great-sounding audio anywhere.
Enhanced gaming and media streaming
ASUS Xonar U7 MKII is great for gaming and media streaming with dedicated headphone and microphone controls that let users make instant audio adjustments without interrupting their game or entertainment. The master volume control knob doubles as an output selector, so users can keep their speakers and headphones connected and conveniently switch between them with a simple click of a button. Additionally, USB connectivity enables both laptop and desktop users to easily upgrade their system's audio performance and enjoy incredible gaming and media streaming experiences.
Complete and intuitive audio control
ASUS Xonar U7 MKII comes with Sonic Studio, a full-featured and easy-to-use sound utility that gives users complete control over a wide range of audio features, such as equalization (EQ) and 7.1 surround speaker level-balancing. Unlike typical audio utilities with multi-screen interfaces that make configuration complicated and time-consuming, Sonic Studio has an intuitive all-in-one view that puts all the necessary audio controls on a single screen to make adjustments fast and easy.
Sonic Studio also includes controls for Sonic Radar Pro, a unique feature that precisely maps in-game sounds - such as footsteps and gunshots - and displays them on an on-screen overlay, so gamers can pinpoint their enemies for a competitive advantage in FPS games. Sonic Studio is fully compatible with Windows 10.
Specifications:
- Output signal-to-noise ratio (A-weighted): Up to 114dB
- Input signal-to-noise ratio (A-weighted): 110dB
- Output total harmonic distortion + noise at 1khz (A-weighted): Up to 0.0006% (104dB)
- Input total harmonic distortion + noise at 1kHz (A-weighted): Up to 0.001% (-100dB)
- Frequency response (-3dB, 24-bit/96kHz input ): <10Hz to 46kHz
- Output/input full-scale voltage:
- Rear output (Speaker) 1Vrms (2.828 Vp-p)
- Headphone 1.3Vrms (3.677 Vp-p)
- Line-in 1Vrms (3.677Vp-p)
- Bus Compatibility: USB audio class, USB audio class 2.0 for all functions, USB audio class 1.0 for playback
- Main Chipset (Audio processor): CMedia CMI6632AX High-performance sound processor (Max. 192KHz/24-bit)
- D-A converter (digital sources): 1 x Cirrus CS4398 (120dB SNR, Max. 192kHz/24-bit), 1 x Cirrus CS4362 (114dB SNR, Max. 192kHz/24-bit)
- A-D converter (analog input): 1x Cirrus CS5361 (114dB SNR, Max. 192kHz/24-bit)
- Analog playback sample rate and resolution: 44.1K/48K/88.2K/96K/172.4K/192KHz @ 16/24-bit
- Analog recording sample rate and resolution: 44.1K/48K/88.2K/96KHz/172.4K/192K @ 16/24-bit
- S/PDIF digital output: 44.1K/48K/88.2K/96K/172.4K/192KHz @ 16/24-bit
- ASIO 2.0 driver support: 44.1K/48K/88.2K/96K/172.4K/192KHz @ 16/24-bit
- Operating system support: Windows 10/8.1/7(32/64-bit)
Visit the product page here.
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Asus Xonar U7 Review - 09/26/2013 03:23 PM
We review the Asus Xonar U7. The U7 offers 24-bit/192KHz recording and playback with 114dB SNR, S/PDIF output, 7.1 channel analog output, dedicated stereo headphone output, a volume knob, and it's al...
JonasBeckman
Senior Member
Posts: 14795
Joined: 2009-02-25
Senior Member
Posts: 14795
Joined: 2009-02-25
#5370912 Posted on: 12/14/2016 02:43 PM
Slow driver development no doubts about that but I've not had any problems with the Phoebus driver or the D2X driver before that though Phoebus and later can no longer benefit from the unofficial Xonar driver, if that's even still around I haven't really kept check on that development for some time now.
EDIT: Though I'm one person and well checking the Asus or ROG forums there's a lot of complaints about certain features being available in one driver set and gone in the next or this or that feature not working as intended so they are not problem free.
Slow driver development no doubts about that but I've not had any problems with the Phoebus driver or the D2X driver before that though Phoebus and later can no longer benefit from the unofficial Xonar driver, if that's even still around I haven't really kept check on that development for some time now.
EDIT: Though I'm one person and well checking the Asus or ROG forums there's a lot of complaints about certain features being available in one driver set and gone in the next or this or that feature not working as intended so they are not problem free.
kosh_neranek
Senior Member
Posts: 341
Joined: 2012-12-31
Senior Member
Posts: 341
Joined: 2012-12-31
#5370942 Posted on: 12/14/2016 03:31 PM
Unfortunately I have to agree. I really do love my STXII but if it wasn't for UNI Xonar drivers am not sure if I would be as delighted. Somebody please explain how is it possible that a company like ASUS does not give a $$$$ about their own high end audio solutions?!?
Who else thinks "****ty driver"?
Unfortunately I have to agree. I really do love my STXII but if it wasn't for UNI Xonar drivers am not sure if I would be as delighted. Somebody please explain how is it possible that a company like ASUS does not give a $$$$ about their own high end audio solutions?!?
c0ncat3nati0n
Junior Member
Posts: 1
Joined: 2016-12-14
Junior Member
Posts: 1
Joined: 2016-12-14
#5370944 Posted on: 12/14/2016 03:38 PM
I've had an original U7 for about 6 months now that I've been running in Windows 10. Your review helped convince me to purchase it. It's been fantastic. It is essentially a multichannel USB preamp without the analog volume control for hundreds of dollars less. The noise floor is so low I don't think I've ever heard it at any analog volume. Outside of this, the feature I like the most is the stereo upmix. It enables me to keep my PC in surround sound mode while still getting a simple upmix for stereo sources. This allows me, for example, to listen to stereo music on all speakers while still getting full surround effects from a game. Another nice feature is the LFE cutoff control and volume control. My only complaint is that the software it installed for Windows 7 doesn't seem to allow for the upmix and possibly other features. Most likely the MkII software doesn't eliminate anything but I can't be sure. The whole 'surround sound radar' thing is cheating...but it's also a smart business move by Asus.
Also, this is my first post. I've been following this site since 2009. Really great work Hilbert...some of the most useful reviews on the internet. If you get back into doing PC audiophile-related reviews I'm all ears
. The PC world seems to neglect audio in general.
I've had an original U7 for about 6 months now that I've been running in Windows 10. Your review helped convince me to purchase it. It's been fantastic. It is essentially a multichannel USB preamp without the analog volume control for hundreds of dollars less. The noise floor is so low I don't think I've ever heard it at any analog volume. Outside of this, the feature I like the most is the stereo upmix. It enables me to keep my PC in surround sound mode while still getting a simple upmix for stereo sources. This allows me, for example, to listen to stereo music on all speakers while still getting full surround effects from a game. Another nice feature is the LFE cutoff control and volume control. My only complaint is that the software it installed for Windows 7 doesn't seem to allow for the upmix and possibly other features. Most likely the MkII software doesn't eliminate anything but I can't be sure. The whole 'surround sound radar' thing is cheating...but it's also a smart business move by Asus.
Also, this is my first post. I've been following this site since 2009. Really great work Hilbert...some of the most useful reviews on the internet. If you get back into doing PC audiophile-related reviews I'm all ears
. The PC world seems to neglect audio in general.
serbicu
Senior Member
Posts: 1706
Joined: 2007-10-20
Senior Member
Posts: 1706
Joined: 2007-10-20
#5370958 Posted on: 12/14/2016 03:54 PM
As an owner of xonar U7, I must say I had no problems with drivers at all.
I'm on win10, and paired with my hyperxcloud headphones, all stereo (192kHz/24-bit)Dolby on, no surround software shyte turned on, is one of the best experiences when it comes to gaming!
Even music sounds incredible
As an owner of xonar U7, I must say I had no problems with drivers at all.
I'm on win10, and paired with my hyperxcloud headphones, all stereo (192kHz/24-bit)Dolby on, no surround software shyte turned on, is one of the best experiences when it comes to gaming!
Even music sounds incredible
Raider0001
Senior Member
Posts: 395
Joined: 2006-11-25
Senior Member
Posts: 395
Joined: 2006-11-25
#5371032 Posted on: 12/14/2016 06:18 PM
sorry man but it is not about the driver I think, those c-media chips look like made very very cheaply, like 5 dollar cheap, I did have 2 of Xonars, DGX and DX (both with problems) and many many years earlier this:
In a sound card that costs 10 dollars total 10 years ago it was OK and many features in the drivers made it fantastic to use, but in a expensive Xonar ? big NO, audio output in DX gets weak in a month and stability issues appear like 1 channel with no output or 1 channel with just noise or both channels with no output or just cracklings while swapping music, DGX had no power at the begging to power even 50 ohm headphones and equalising the lack of punch made all of the output to jump over all of the frequency range.
Who else thinks "****ty driver"?
sorry man but it is not about the driver I think, those c-media chips look like made very very cheaply, like 5 dollar cheap, I did have 2 of Xonars, DGX and DX (both with problems) and many many years earlier this:
In a sound card that costs 10 dollars total 10 years ago it was OK and many features in the drivers made it fantastic to use, but in a expensive Xonar ? big NO, audio output in DX gets weak in a month and stability issues appear like 1 channel with no output or 1 channel with just noise or both channels with no output or just cracklings while swapping music, DGX had no power at the begging to power even 50 ohm headphones and equalising the lack of punch made all of the output to jump over all of the frequency range.
Agent-A01
Senior Member
Posts: 11318
Joined: 2010-12-27
Senior Member
Posts: 11318
Joined: 2010-12-27
#5371034 Posted on: 12/14/2016 06:23 PM
I will enlighten you that the slow driver releases are due to CMEDIA slowly releasing drivers.
ASUS does not make the drivers for the DAC, CMEDIA does.
Unfortunately I have to agree. I really do love my STXII but if it wasn't for UNI Xonar drivers am not sure if I would be as delighted. Somebody please explain how is it possible that a company like ASUS does not give a $$$$ about their own high end audio solutions?!?
I will enlighten you that the slow driver releases are due to CMEDIA slowly releasing drivers.
ASUS does not make the drivers for the DAC, CMEDIA does.
Raider0001
Senior Member
Posts: 395
Joined: 2006-11-25
Senior Member
Posts: 395
Joined: 2006-11-25
#5371053 Posted on: 12/14/2016 07:04 PM
I will enlighten you that the slow driver releases are due to CMEDIA slowly releasing drivers.
ASUS does not make the drivers for the DAC, CMEDIA does.
Yes, and I know why ppl like how cmedia audio sounds like, its very realistic and soft and pure but cmedia really needs to rework stability and power output to make it last. Only then I will compare it to rough Sound Blasters that actually work.
I will enlighten you that the slow driver releases are due to CMEDIA slowly releasing drivers.
ASUS does not make the drivers for the DAC, CMEDIA does.
Yes, and I know why ppl like how cmedia audio sounds like, its very realistic and soft and pure but cmedia really needs to rework stability and power output to make it last. Only then I will compare it to rough Sound Blasters that actually work.
sovietwarbear
Member
Posts: 33
Joined: 2013-03-24
Member
Posts: 33
Joined: 2013-03-24
#5371111 Posted on: 12/14/2016 08:40 PM
i got asus Strix raid DLX for some time now and 0 problems with drivers and longer time go i use asus Xonar Phoebus and even there 0 drivers problems
so i dont think "****ty driver
Who else thinks "****ty driver"?
i got asus Strix raid DLX for some time now and 0 problems with drivers and longer time go i use asus Xonar Phoebus and even there 0 drivers problems
so i dont think "****ty driver
PrMinisterGR
Senior Member
Posts: 6970
Joined: 2014-09-27
Senior Member
Posts: 6970
Joined: 2014-09-27
#5371116 Posted on: 12/14/2016 08:55 PM
I have a D2X for almost seven years (I think) now. It's working flawlessly. The question about this card is if it's compatible with Window's new usb audio core, which would mean that it could work with no drivers. If that's on, then it looks like a very nice product.
Yes, and I know why ppl like how cmedia audio sounds like, its very realistic and soft and pure but cmedia really needs to rework stability and power output to make it last. Only then I will compare it to rough Sound Blasters that actually work.
I have a D2X for almost seven years (I think) now. It's working flawlessly. The question about this card is if it's compatible with Window's new usb audio core, which would mean that it could work with no drivers. If that's on, then it looks like a very nice product.
Battlefieldprin
Senior Member
Posts: 145
Joined: 2013-08-18
Senior Member
Posts: 145
Joined: 2013-08-18
#5371397 Posted on: 12/15/2016 12:20 PM
Indeed , I have many problem with Asus and their drivers . it seems MSI offers good supports to their products , specially old ones.
Indeed , I have many problem with Asus and their drivers . it seems MSI offers good supports to their products , specially old ones.
CronoGraal
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Joined: 2006-10-11
Senior Member
Posts: 4160
Joined: 2006-10-11
#5371628 Posted on: 12/15/2016 08:53 PM
my xonar stx has been having problems and ASUS cannot do ****
20 page thread: http://www.head-fi.org/t/494565/xonar-essense-stx-random-loud-high-pitched-ringing-noise
my xonar stx has been having problems and ASUS cannot do ****
20 page thread: http://www.head-fi.org/t/494565/xonar-essense-stx-random-loud-high-pitched-ringing-noise
Click here to post a comment for this news story on the message forum.
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Who else thinks "****ty driver"?