Comparison Asus Xonar DSX vs Asus Xonar D1
Add to comparison |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Asus Xonar DSX | Asus Xonar D1 | |
from $53.60 up to $59.76 | from $135.00 | |
| TOP sellers | ||
| Type | gaming | gaming |
Specs | ||
| Form factor | internal | internal |
| Interface | PCIe | PCI |
| Channels | 7.1 | 7.1 |
| Audiochip | ASUS AV66 | ASUS AV100 |
| Standards | DTS | Dolby Digital Live, Dolby Headphone, Dolby Virtual Speaker |
| ASIO |  | |
DAC | ||
| DAC resolution | 24 bit | 24 bit |
| Max. sampling rate | 192 kHz | 192 kHz |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 107 dB | 116 dB |
ADC | ||
| ADC resolution | 24 bit | 24 bit |
| Max. sampling rate | 192 kHz | 192 kHz |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 100 dB | |
| More features | front panel output | front panel output |
Inputs | ||
| mini-Jack (3.5 mm) | 1 | 1 |
Outputs | ||
| mini-Jack (3.5 mm) | 4 | 4 |
| Optical S/PDIF | 1 | 1 |
| Added to E-Catalog | december 2013 | december 2013 |
Compare Asus Xonar DSX and Xonar D1
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Glossary
Interface
The main interface used to connect a sound card to a computer or other device.
Like the sound cards themselves, the interfaces used in them are divided into internal (PCI, PCIe) and external (USB-A, USB-C, FireWire, Thunderbolt, 3.5 mm mini-jack, Bluetooth). Here's a more detailed description of each of these options:
— PCIe. The main modern interface for connecting internal peripherals (including sound cards) to computer motherboards. It is used in most internal type models (see above). The main advantage of PCIe solutions is that connectors for their connection can be found on almost any modern "motherboard". True, these connectors may be needed for other components — graphics cards, TV tuners, or even SSD drives; however, even the simplest motherboards usually have several PCIe slots, so this point cannot be considered a serious disadvantage.
— PCI. An interface for connecting expansion cards to the PC motherboard. It is the predecessor of PCIe, has significantly lower bandwidth and more modest capabilities, so overall it is outdated. Nevertheless, motherboards with such connectors, and sound cards for the PCI interface (including quite advanced ones), continue to be produced. This is because working with sound requires comparatively low bandwidth; and installing a so...und card in a PCI slot leaves PCIe connectors free, which may be required for components more demanding on connection speed. In any case, before purchasing such a sound card, it does not hurt to separately ensure that there is a connector for its connection on the "motherboard".
— USB-A. Connection through a standard USB port. Until recently, it was the most popular interface for external peripherals, found in almost all PCs and laptops. Most external sound cards were made for USB. The disadvantage of this connection method is that USB connectors may be needed for other devices, which creates problems with a small number of ports and an abundance of peripherals. On the other hand, such situations arise not so often, and to solve them, it is enough to have a USB hub on hand.
It should be noted separately that full-size USB ports in modern PCs and laptops have been replaced by more compact USB-C (see below).
— USB-C. A peripheral connector with a symmetrical contact group, which often replaces full-size USB ports on modern PCs and laptops. Many new models of external sound cards are made for this interface. The only exceptions are individual Thunderbolt devices (see below) — for them, Thunderbolt is indicated as the peripheral connection port, not USB-C.
— Thunderbolt. A universal peripheral port mainly used in Apple computers and laptops. It is important to consider that different generations of Thunderbolt differ in the type of physical connector: versions v1 and v2 use the miniDisplayPort socket, version v3 uses the USB-C socket. So when choosing a sound card with such a connection, it is necessary to clarify this point. On the other hand, Thunderbolt versions with different connectors are fully compatible with each other through corresponding adapters.
— FireWire. Also known as IEEE 1394. An interface for external devices that was somewhat popular some time ago but has now almost fallen out of use.
— 3.5 mm (mini-jack). The mini-jack is one of the most common audio connectors. However, it is usually provided as one of the audio inputs (see below) and is very rarely used as the main interface for connecting a sound card to an external device. Such a connection is mainly found in specialized gaming models, intended for use with consoles as well. In these models, the mini-jack may be combined, allowing for the connection of both a line (analog) signal via a regular electrical wire and an optical (digital) signal via a TOSLINK cable. It is worth noting that the optical interface is notable for being completely immune to external interference; it allows for transmitting multi-channel sound, but cables for such connections require careful handling.
— Bluetooth. Wireless connection following the Bluetooth standard. It is mainly found in models intended for use with smartphones and tablets — these gadgets have few wired connectors, but Bluetooth modules are almost guaranteed to be present. However, initial sound transmission is highly compressed, noticeably affecting its quality; to remedy this drawback, modern Bluetooth sound cards usually support aptX. Of course, this technology must be supported by the signal source as well — make sure of this before purchasing.
Like the sound cards themselves, the interfaces used in them are divided into internal (PCI, PCIe) and external (USB-A, USB-C, FireWire, Thunderbolt, 3.5 mm mini-jack, Bluetooth). Here's a more detailed description of each of these options:
— PCIe. The main modern interface for connecting internal peripherals (including sound cards) to computer motherboards. It is used in most internal type models (see above). The main advantage of PCIe solutions is that connectors for their connection can be found on almost any modern "motherboard". True, these connectors may be needed for other components — graphics cards, TV tuners, or even SSD drives; however, even the simplest motherboards usually have several PCIe slots, so this point cannot be considered a serious disadvantage.
— PCI. An interface for connecting expansion cards to the PC motherboard. It is the predecessor of PCIe, has significantly lower bandwidth and more modest capabilities, so overall it is outdated. Nevertheless, motherboards with such connectors, and sound cards for the PCI interface (including quite advanced ones), continue to be produced. This is because working with sound requires comparatively low bandwidth; and installing a so...und card in a PCI slot leaves PCIe connectors free, which may be required for components more demanding on connection speed. In any case, before purchasing such a sound card, it does not hurt to separately ensure that there is a connector for its connection on the "motherboard".
— USB-A. Connection through a standard USB port. Until recently, it was the most popular interface for external peripherals, found in almost all PCs and laptops. Most external sound cards were made for USB. The disadvantage of this connection method is that USB connectors may be needed for other devices, which creates problems with a small number of ports and an abundance of peripherals. On the other hand, such situations arise not so often, and to solve them, it is enough to have a USB hub on hand.
It should be noted separately that full-size USB ports in modern PCs and laptops have been replaced by more compact USB-C (see below).
— USB-C. A peripheral connector with a symmetrical contact group, which often replaces full-size USB ports on modern PCs and laptops. Many new models of external sound cards are made for this interface. The only exceptions are individual Thunderbolt devices (see below) — for them, Thunderbolt is indicated as the peripheral connection port, not USB-C.
— Thunderbolt. A universal peripheral port mainly used in Apple computers and laptops. It is important to consider that different generations of Thunderbolt differ in the type of physical connector: versions v1 and v2 use the miniDisplayPort socket, version v3 uses the USB-C socket. So when choosing a sound card with such a connection, it is necessary to clarify this point. On the other hand, Thunderbolt versions with different connectors are fully compatible with each other through corresponding adapters.
— FireWire. Also known as IEEE 1394. An interface for external devices that was somewhat popular some time ago but has now almost fallen out of use.
— 3.5 mm (mini-jack). The mini-jack is one of the most common audio connectors. However, it is usually provided as one of the audio inputs (see below) and is very rarely used as the main interface for connecting a sound card to an external device. Such a connection is mainly found in specialized gaming models, intended for use with consoles as well. In these models, the mini-jack may be combined, allowing for the connection of both a line (analog) signal via a regular electrical wire and an optical (digital) signal via a TOSLINK cable. It is worth noting that the optical interface is notable for being completely immune to external interference; it allows for transmitting multi-channel sound, but cables for such connections require careful handling.
— Bluetooth. Wireless connection following the Bluetooth standard. It is mainly found in models intended for use with smartphones and tablets — these gadgets have few wired connectors, but Bluetooth modules are almost guaranteed to be present. However, initial sound transmission is highly compressed, noticeably affecting its quality; to remedy this drawback, modern Bluetooth sound cards usually support aptX. Of course, this technology must be supported by the signal source as well — make sure of this before purchasing.
Audiochip
Brand of the audio chip installed in the sound card.
The audio chip is one of the most important parts of a sound card, a kind of "heart" of the whole circuit, and it is on its characteristics that the sound quality and other capabilities of a particular model largely depend. Knowing the brand of the chip, you can easily find various information on it — official specifications, test results, reviews, etc. — and based on this, draw a conclusion to what extent this sound card is able to meet your requirements. Of course, for ordinary video cards (see "View") there is no need to delve into such details, but when choosing a gaming or audiophile model, they can be very useful.
The audio chip is one of the most important parts of a sound card, a kind of "heart" of the whole circuit, and it is on its characteristics that the sound quality and other capabilities of a particular model largely depend. Knowing the brand of the chip, you can easily find various information on it — official specifications, test results, reviews, etc. — and based on this, draw a conclusion to what extent this sound card is able to meet your requirements. Of course, for ordinary video cards (see "View") there is no need to delve into such details, but when choosing a gaming or audiophile model, they can be very useful.
Standards
Various standards and special digital audio technologies that the sound card is officially compatible with. For example, the Dolby and DTS standards in various variations are used primarily for multi-channel audio tracks in films, while DirectSound and EAX provide high-quality “surround” sound in games. In fact, the ability to work with one or another standard is largely determined by the software part of the system, and not by the characteristics of the sound card; however, official compatibility means at least the full compliance of the card with the requirements of the standard and the minimum risk of conflicts at the hardware level.
Signal-to-noise ratio
This parameter determines the ratio of the "clean" sound produced by the DAC at the output to all extraneous noise. As such, it is a pretty strong indicator of sound purity. According to the signal-to-noise ratio, DACs in modern sound cards can be divided as follows:
up to 90 dB — initial level;
90-100 dB — average level, advanced "home" models;
more than 100 dB — professional level.
up to 90 dB — initial level;
90-100 dB — average level, advanced "home" models;
more than 100 dB — professional level.
Signal-to-noise ratio
The signal-to-noise ratio provided by the analogue-to-digital converter (ADC) of the sound card in the processed signal. For more information about this ratio, see the paragraph of the same name above. Here we note that in domestic use it does not play a decisive role, but if you plan to record sound in good quality, you should choose a card with a high value of this indicator.