Who else thinks "****ty driver"?

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.

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?!?:puke2:

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.

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 😀

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: http://i.imgur.com/o7gmzNM.jpg 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.

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?!?:puke2:

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.

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.

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

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.

Indeed , I have many problem with Asus and their drivers . it seems MSI offers good supports to their products , specially old ones.

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