Asus Xonar Essence One

[Deleted]

Last Aug. 15th Asus officially anounced ( www.asus.com/News/uKyKEy072stXi6VP/ )the new Essence One which is supposed to be available next September (price unkwown but rumored to be around 300USD). Specs are quite nice:
- Dual BB PCM1795 DACs
- Internal Toroid traffo
- USB 2.0 Async (C-Media 6671?)
- Integrated HPA
- XLR Balanced outs
- SPDIF + Toslink inputs
- Defeatable upsampling
- 11 socket mounted opamps ready for rolling


Announcement:

ASUS Launches Xonar Essence One Hi-Fi USB Digital to Analog Converter and Headphone Amplifier

With most modern audio signals stored in digital format, the ASUS Xonar team has catered to audiophiles’ needs and launched its first hi-fi USB digital-to-analog converter (DAC), the Xonar Essence One. It is an industry-leading high-end USB DAC with the world’s first 8x symmetrical upsampling technology, while also featuring a 120dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), audiophile-class headphone AMP and eleven operational amplifier (op-amp) design for distinct tonal customization.

Hi-Fi audio achieved with the world’s first 8x symmetrical upsampling technology
While common upsampling USB DACs indistinguishably transfer various audio sources to 192kHz, the Xonar Essence One upsamples 44.1/88.2/176.4kHz input to 352.8kHz and 48/96/192kHz input to 384kHz symmetrically (Note: 44.1*8=352.8kHz; 48*8=384kHz). As a result, data volume is also increased by upsampling the bit-rate to 32bit, corresponding to the original content and faithfully preserving the details of the user’s music collection.

Extreme audio clarity with 120dB SNR and a dedicated power supply
The average SNR, of other USB DACs is about 110dB, but with an extremely high 120dB SNR, the Xonar Essence One provides audiophiles with clearer sounds, enabling minute sound details to be heard while significantly reducing noise levels. A dedicated power supply ensures that clean power is delivered so the sharpest sound is heard, with excellent immunity to noise from the AC line.

Eleven swappable OP-amps for customizable tonal characters
The Xonar Essence One features a fully swappable op-amp design, unprecedented for a high-end USB DAC. An op-amp is the key part in a DAC that amplifies the analog signal and affects tonal characteristics, such as darkness or brightness of sound or the overall sound image. The Xonar Essence One allows the user to swap every op-amp that is on board, for a truly customizable sound.

More than just a USB DAC, complete Hi-Fi enjoyment
The Xonar Essence One combines three different functions, providing a complete Hi-Fi solution:

USB DAC (Digital-to-Analog Convertor)
It upgrades digital music stored on your computer into clear and detailed, life-like sounds. It also features XLR and RCA connections for plugging end audio devices.
Stand-alone DAC
With an S/PDIF input and input selection, the Xonar Essence One also serves as an independent DAC which can connect to standard CD/DVD players and provide high quality music without the need for a computer.
Headphone amplifier
The Xonar Essence One integrates an audiophile-class headphone AMP circuit which powers up all Hi-Fi headphones, enabling 100% performance even with impedance of sets up to 600ohms. It offers extra dynamics, sound details and low distortion for the absolute best sound quality possible.


Some Pics:

[Deleted]

Rumors say it'll be available next month with a MSRP of £269.99 (Inc VAT)...


-"Dear Ross

It is expected to be available the start of September, and is estimated at 269.99 Inc VAT

It will immediately be available from www............

Kindest Regards,

ASUSTeK UK"-

forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18305799

[XTRProf]

Actually, with the keen interest in the Sabre 32 dacs nowadays, I don't know how it will fare.

[Deleted]

That is like saying this year's VW Golf won't succeed because there is a new Lamborghini in the market.
They are products targeted at different types of customers.
The Asus is <300$ DAC, what is the cheapest ESS9012/ESS9018 based DAC with Async USB 2.0 (UAC2) on the market? 1,200? Even a DIY Buffalo III, once you account for all boards, tansformers and enclosures won't be a penny under 1,000$ and then you need some skills not everybody has plus lots of free time.
Or are you talking about the cheaper ESS9022/ESS9023? in that case is a lower performing chip than twin PCM1795s unless you are talking about some potential esoteric virtues....

[XTRProf]

Aug 22, 2011 8:33:06 GMT @javier said:

That is like saying this year's VW Golf won't succeed because there is a new Lamborghini in the market.
They are products targeted at different types of customers.
The Asus is <300$ DAC, what is the cheapest ESS9012/ESS9018 based DAC with Async USB 2.0 (UAC2) on the market? 1,200? Even a DIY Buffalo III, once you account for all boards, tansformers and enclosures won't be a penny under 1,000$ and then you need some skills not everybody has plus lots of free time.
Or are you talking about the cheaper ESS9022/ESS9023? in that case is a lower performing chip than twin PCM1795s unless you are talking about some potential esoteric virtues....

Actually, don't need to. The OPPO 95 if we need a 3D universal bluray player will have one already inbuild. The ESS9022/23 don't even need to consider. Also, the buffalo 2 will be way ahead of the Asus. Don't need to even consider the Buffalo 3. There will lots on the 2nd hand market built once people "upgraded" to the Buffalo 3.

[Deleted]

The 95, which I agree is a wonderful piece of gear I would buy if I could, is nearly 1,100€/£899 over here plus the Multi Region/Milti Zone should one need it. That is 4x the price of the Asus, so it doesn't play in the same league.

The Buffalo II, even 2nd hand will still be at least 2x the price of the Asus and won't have UAC2, if you want a nice USB->I2S another 130€ have t be added. oh wait! no need for USB, Toslink is better because it provides isolation from the PC!!!

I know there are many DACs better than the Asus but they all are much more expensive, I posted because it has a very interesting price/performance ratio. Not everyone can afford High End Kit.

It is like posting in the Superlux thread that it won't succeed because you can get an Audezze LCD-2 or an Sennheiser Orpheus 2nd hand.

[XTRProf]

Aug 22, 2011 9:54:51 GMT @javier said:

The 95, which I agree is a wonderful piece of gear I would buy if I could, is nearly 1,100€/£899 over here plus the Multi Region/Milti Zone should one need it. That is 4x the price of the Asus, so it doesn't play in the same league.

The Buffalo II, even 2nd hand will still be at least 2x the price of the Asus and won't have UAC2, if you want a nice USB->I2S another 130€ have t be added. oh wait! no need for USB, Toslink is better because it provides isolation from the PC!!!

I know there are many DACs better than the Asus but they all are much more expensive, I posted because it has a very interesting price/performance ratio. Not everyone can afford High End Kit.

It is like posting in the Superlux thread that it won't succeed because you can get an Audezze LCD-2 or an Sennheiser Orpheus 2nd hand.

Yes, you got your points there. But I will advise all to rather save up to get there than to have to buy something in between and than have to sell it and then buy again to get there. This way, chances are it will be more expensive in the long run as selling will already lose at least 30% of the initial price already and also provided you can get yourself a buyer. Buffalo 2 or even 3, really no problem with buyers. When the price is right, it can be gone in 60 seconds.

Well, people can adopt whatever ways they wish to get there. That's what made this world wholesome and the second hand market a place for bargains. Sometimes very very good bargains too.

[Deleted]

Toslink is better because it provides isolation from the PC!!!

Javier
So does properly implemented coax SPDIF with isolation transformers, and it has wider bandwidth than Toslink too!
The Asus card does look interesting, and I am curious to see how they implemented the headphone output.
Alex
P.S.
Given that SPDIF coax performance is optimum at a 1.5M length where reflections have less effect,. do you know if there is an optimum length for USB leads, which I believe may be 110 ohms impedance ?

[XTRProf]

Aug 22, 2011 10:09:11 GMT @sandyk said:

Given that SPDIF coax performance is optimum at a 1.5M length where reflections have less effect,. do you know if there is an optimum length for USB leads, which I believe may be 110 ohms impedance ?

Ah, you got the length right there. Mine all of them are at 2m. The Japs have a very interesting figure of 1.8m already sometime ago.

Btw, there are highend hifi usbs as well. I think also at 1.8m by the Japs.

[Deleted]

Aug 22, 2011 10:17:25 GMT XTRProf said:

Aug 22, 2011 10:09:11 GMT @sandyk said:

Given that SPDIF coax performance is optimum at a 1.5M length where reflections have less effect,. do you know if there is an optimum length for USB leads, which I believe may be 110 ohms impedance ?

Ah, you got the length right there. Mine all of them are at 2m. The Japs have a very interesting figure of 1.8m already sometime ago.

Btw, I there are highend hifi usbs as well. I think also at 1.8m by the Japs.

1.8M does appear to be the most common length here.

[Deleted]

Aug 22, 2011 10:09:11 GMT @sandyk said:

Toslink is better because it provides isolation from the PC!!!

Javier
So does properly implemented coax SPDIF with isolation transformers, and it has wider bandwidth than Toslink too!
The Asus card does look interesting, and I am curious to see how they implemented the headphone output.
Alex
P.S.
Given that SPDIF coax performance is optimum at a 1.5M length where reflections have less effect,. do you know if there is an optimum length for USB leads, which I believe may be 110 ohms impedance ?

Just as Chong's all my USB cables are <2m except the one I use for my TV calibration probe that is 5m and has never given me any problem.

I'm afraid the Asus won't be you cup of tea, it is ICs throughout though I guess you could use some Audio-GD discrete opamps.

I found some interesting (and quite expensive) solutions adressing isolation from PC while keeping very high performance

An optical PCIe extender that can b powered by a linear supply and also an optical USB extender, I would be interested on your take on their SQ potential:

www.adnaco.com/products/s1/

www.adnaco.com/products/r1usb/

[Deleted]

Aug 22, 2011 10:35:06 GMT @javier said:

Aug 22, 2011 10:09:11 GMT @sandyk said:

Javier
So does properly implemented coax SPDIF with isolation transformers, and it has wider bandwidth than Toslink too!
The Asus card does look interesting, and I am curious to see how they implemented the headphone output.
Alex
P.S.
Given that SPDIF coax performance is optimum at a 1.5M length where reflections have less effect,. do you know if there is an optimum length for USB leads, which I believe may be 110 ohms impedance ?

Just as Chong's all my USB cables are <2m except the one I use for my TV calibration probe that is 5m and has never given me any problem.

I'm afraid the Asus won't be you cup of tea, it is ICs throughout though I guess you could use some Audio-GD discrete opamps.

I found some interesting (and quite expensive) solutions adressing isolation from PC while keeping very high performance

An optical PCIe extender that can b powered by a linear supply and also an optical USB extender, I would be interested on your take on their SQ potential:

www.adnaco.com/products/s1/

www.adnaco.com/products/r1usb/

Javier
Those products appear to be for general professional data use.
I certainly wouldn't use them for high quality audio.
I think they may be stretching the distances too, as optical fibre has a huge amount of attenuation, as will be evident from the attached Jaycar link. I would expect a marked decrease in bandwidth and reliability at the quoted longer distance limit.
In telecommunication for example,over fibre optical cable , when I was with Telstra they were using fairly high powered Lasers with an integral Peltier cooling unit to prolong service life.
My Asus Xonar D2X for example, didn't much like a 10M Toslink cable to my SC DAC from another room.
Alex

www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=WO4360&keywords=optic+cable&form=KEYWORD

[Deleted]

using fairly high powered Lasers with an integral Peltier cooling unit to prolong service life.

a bit OT but might be informative:

Keeping a constant temperature with lasers (using Peltier cooling) is done to keep the wavelength of a laser 'fixed' and thus prevent unwanted mode hopping (jumping around of the laser wavelength/frequency) and needs to be very stable for wavelength multiplexers to be used succesfully.
Multiple wavelenghts can pass through a single fiber increasing the amount of data that can be transported over a single fiber without them biting each other.
The 'space' between the wavelenghts and 'windows' where certain wavelengths have a minimal attenuation limits the amount of channels that can be used.

Real optical fibers have little in common with TOSlink b.t.w.
Bandwidth of optical fibre (the real stuff, not TOSlink) is many, many factors higher than coax.

btw seems like a good DAC... would spray paint the top panel though

[Deleted]

Aug 22, 2011 11:43:17 GMT @solderdude said:

using fairly high powered Lasers with an integral Peltier cooling unit to prolong service life.

a bit OT but might be informative:

Keeping a constant temperature with lasers (using Peltier cooling) is done to keep the wavelength of a laser 'fixed' and thus prevent unwanted mode hopping (jumping around of the laser wavelength/frequency) and needs to be very stable for wavelength multiplexers to be used succesfully.
Multiple wavelenghts can pass through a single fiber increasing the amount of data that can be transported over a single fiber without them biting each other.
The 'space' between the wavelenghts and 'windows' where certain wavelengths have a minimal attenuation limits the amount of channels that can be used.

Real optical fibers have little in common with TOSlink b.t.w.
Bandwidth of optical fibre (the real stuff, not TOSlink) is many, many factors higher than coax.

btw seems like a good DAC... would spray paint the top panel though

Frans
Back then,(14 years ago when I left Telstra) the laser diodes did deteriorate over the space of several years as you will be aware, and the main reason for the Peltier cooling unit was as stated.
They were checked for their current draw on a routine basis.
I am referring here to fibre optic cables between Telephone Exchanges that were used in association with PCM systems in place of the earlier 1,200pair or so, copper cables.
In fact, whie I was After Hours control of a group of 10 other Telephone exchanges, a petrol tanker overturned in Sydney's Frenchs Forest. The petrol ran down the gutters and caught fire, destroying a section of new fire optic cable.Communications were disrupted to much of the Northern Beaches area.
Initially, the only communications with the area were via our A/HRS Vehicle with 2 way radio that david2vk drove to the scene,
and the district manager used for organising things from the scene of the damage.
Alex

[Deleted]

From what I've read, the problem with Toslink is not so much the quality of the fiber but the cheap low quality optical emitters and receivers it uses. Compared to those used in current modern LAN switches, to give an example, are utter sh*te.
I'm not sure if you have been following the evolution of networking gear and technologies but in the last 14 years there has been some movement. 14 years ago Fastethernet was a novelty now we have Gigabit even in the printers!!
When Toslink was specced things were quite different and good optical parts were prohibitive.
Nowadays is different, we have two offices connected with Cisco Switches using a one piece 1.6Km optical link (no joints) and works absolutely perfect at 1Gbps and I'm sure if I replaced the modules with 10Gbps ones it'll be fine too. Full bandwidth, low latency, no packets dropped, no re transmissions, no nothing, just perfect fast data flowing. You can plug any sniffer you want and won't find any problem.

Even at the asking price the optical parts used in those two products should be perfectly able to do a fine job, more so in the USB one with just 480Mbps (theoretical peak) to handle, far less even with the highest bandwidth consuming audio stream which is less than 30Mbps. I wouldn't mind giving the USB model a try, if it works as it should it'll be the perfect USB companion for a USB DAC.

[Deleted]

The difference between TOSlink and 'regular' fibre optics are very big.

1: price.. TOSLINK is very cheap to produce.
2: fiber is very low cost plastic vs. glass core for ethernet.
3: Toslink has e HUGE lightpipe diameter of 1mm (1000 micron) while normal fibers are either 50 micron, 62.5 micron or 9 micron (Single Mode)
4: wavelength of TOSLINK is visible and normal fiber optics is infrared.
5: TOSLINK fibers can easily be made by hand in DIY, mounting connectors and splices for real fibre optics is a specialistic job.
6: TOSLINK is less susceptible to dust (advantage !)

changing TOSLINK to real fiber optics is not very beneficial unless you want to cross larger distances.
TOSLINK can only do a few meters where real fibreoptics (depending on type and light source) can do several tens of kilometers without needing repeaters.

The bandwidth and distance of TOSLINK is very limited.
This is because of the huge attenuation (compared to real fiber) of the plastic lightguide.
The squarewave input signal is also smeared (becomes more like a sine wave) at longer distances.
It is caused by light bouncing of the edges of the fiber that take longer to arrive compared to the rays that do not bounce as much.
Also the receivers are cheap and bandwidth limited and can only detect light or no light with the decision point at a fixed level. This + smearing and high attenuation of the (visible) light levels make it not so desirable.
The LED's themselves are fast enough (although the built-in drivers are not the fastest around too).
When TOSLINK was designed it was intended for only a few Mb/s now it can do slightly over 100Mb/s as the detectors became faster.

look at this project:
www.thelivingmoon.com/45jack_files/03files/ANTARES_Collaboration.htm

In every cylinder of each 3 spheres there is fiber optic communication PCB that communicates over very long distances to the shore station where similar PCB's are and wavelength multiplexers that separate the signals from all these individual spheres.
The fibreoptic lasers and detectors and accompanying PCB's in each of these spheres, and the shore station as well, were all asssembled and adjusted in wavelength (by adjusting the temperature of the laser) by yours truly.
It was fun to be allowed to participate in this huge project this way.

I'll shut up about it now.

[Deleted]

Frans, the idea was that the linked products could be used in a "extreme" PC audio system to completely isolate the external part of the system (USB adapter, PCI or PCIe sound card, etc.) from the noisy internal environment. IMO they are true overkill but very interesting for a rich computer audiophile as they should perform way better than the standard SPDIF, Toslink or USB (even if not USB powered).
Have you checked those links?

[xerxes]

look at this project:
www.thelivingmoon.com/45jack_files/03files/ANTARES_Collaboration.htm

They should have asked me, I found a couple of boxes of neutrinos in the cupboard under the sink the other day. I think I've got some Higgs Bosons kicking about somewhere too.

[Deleted]

I have loads of 155Mb receivers kicking about (bare boards).
It probably wouldn't be very hard to connect it to the RCA out (as long as the signal is synchronic) and use fibre optics to isolate or even transport data across a few kilometers even (or much less) using real fibre optics and convert it back again to coax.

This could replace TOSLINK and be electrically isolated.
small transformers do isolate LF garbage but not common mode HF signals.
fiber optics will.

[Deleted]

I guess USB->your transmitter (multiplexor?)->fiber->your receiver (demuxer?)->USB is out the question, isn't it?

[Deleted]

yes.

USB needs a protocol.
TOSLINK and RCA out are simply synchronus signals with the clock in it.
The last two can be easy converted with 'transparent' converters.
At least I suspect it can would have to dive in it.
bye bye mismatches, echos and common mode garbage via the ground path... hello flawless optical data transfer.
For me it would be pointless to have as I don't have an optical or RCA in DAC and if I had for me there would be no sonic improvements as the same bits would be transferred.

the headphone out seems to be the LME49710 and LME49600 combo (judging from the pics)

[Deleted]

OK, USB forgoten but... what about tapping the I2S (aka IIS) signal from a sound card? would that be doable? this should be less jittery than either SPDIF or Toslink. Will's DAC has easy to use I2S input, in fact, when used with it instead of SPDIF building is quite simplified as many components become redundant.

And yes, your are correct about the LME based HPA section.

[Deleted]

The Fibre Optic devices need synchronous data and can do one line.
manchester alike codes are ideal for those converters so very suited for SPdif.
Would have to create a good interface though and time is not available in short notice.

The jittery part is not coming from the source but occurs in the receiving end (TOSLINK receiver and input circuit of electrical)
Fiber optics don't have that problem as much.. very clean.

[Deleted]

Aug 22, 2011 21:14:47 GMT @solderdude said:

The Fibre Optic devices need synchronous data and can do one line.
manchester alike codes are ideal for those converters so very suited for SPdif.
Would have to create a good interface though and time is not available in short notice.

The jittery part is not coming from the source but occurs in the receiving end (TOSLINK receiver and input circuit of electrical)
Fiber optics don't have that problem as much.. very clean.

Only one line is a bummer, can't signals be muxed before conversion or the resultant won't be synchronous?
I believe I2S uses 4 lines (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I2s).
On the other hand, wouldn't the electrical circuit of SPDIF still be prone to jitter after the optical to electrical conversion?

From TheWellTemperedComputer:

I2S:

The I2S Audio Interface provides a synchronous serial interface to off-chip audio devices.
The I2S or Inter-IC Sound Standard was developed by Philips to allow audio
data exchange between converters, filters and digital input/output interfaces.
The serial interface is a three-wire bus that contains a line for two time multiplexed
data channels (Data), a word select line (L/R clock), and a clock
line (Bit Clock).
The standard also dictates that the actual audio data be delayed by one Bit Clock period from the L/R clock.

This is the protocol used inside CD players to connect the transport and the DAC.
The major difference with SPDIF is that both sender and receiver use the same clock.
This eliminates input jitter.
Connecting
I2S is designed as a protocol between chips on the same board.
Some manufacturers use it to connect boxes.
As there is no standard for cabling, each does it in his own way.
Even if both boxes have the same connector, if they are from different brands, the pin layout will be different too.

Some of use use I2S externally too, with good results. Like S/PDIF though, the devil is in the detials. The Transmission-lines must be terminated and the edge-rates must be fast in order to avoid adding significant jitter. Really low-loss high-bandwidth cables are required.
Audio Asylum

[Deleted]

5: TOSLINK fibers can easily be made by hand in DIY, mounting connectors and splices for real fibre optics is a specialistic job.

Javier
This point from Frans is perhaps the biggest reason why DIY is out of the question here.Telstra used specialised gear for doing this.
Alex