Xonar Essence STU Hi-Fi USB DAC (Digital-to-Anolog Converter) User manual
E8252 First Edition March 2013 Copyright © 2013 ASUSTeK Computer Inc. All Rights Reserved. No part of this manual, including the products and software described in it, may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form or by any means, except documentation kept by the purchaser for backup purposes, without the express written permission of ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. (“ASUS”).
Contents Introduction............................................................................................. 4 Package contents................................................................................... 4 Safety Information.................................................................................. 5 Wet Location...................................................................................................6 Outdoor Use.................................................................
Introduction Xonar Essence STU USB DAC is ASUS Xonar’s innovative response to the world-wide trend of PC Hi-Fi. With PC audiophile’s number growing fast according to the convenience and high resolution of digitalized audio contents, Xonar Essence product line is committed to provide solution for their needs to enjoy extreme high-fidelity music with any PC.
Safety Information For your own safety please read the following important safety instructions carefully before attempting to connect this unit to the mains power supply. They will also enable you to get the best performance from and prolong the life of the unit. 1. Read these instructions. 2. Keep these instructions. 3. Heed all warnings. 4. Follow all instructions. 5. Do not use this apparatus near water. 6. Clean machine surface with a cloth (no any detergent applied). 7.
Wet Location Apparatus shall not be exposed to dripping or splashing and that no objects filled with liquids, such as vases, shall be placed on the apparatus. Outdoor Use Warning! To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture. Disconnect Device - The Main Plug or an Appliance Coupler The mains plug or an appliance coupler is used as the disconnect device for disconnection from the mains, the disconnect device shall remain readily operable.
Driver installation After connecting ASUS Xonar Essence STU with your computer by the bundled USB cable, you need to install the device driver that enables the Xonar Essence STU to work with Windows operating system. NOTES: • The driver is only needed when you connect ASUS Xonar Essence STU with PC/NB. • The version and content of the support CD are subject to change without notice. To install the device driver: 1. Insert the ASUS Xonar Essence STU support CD into your optical drive.
Functionality 1. USB DAC ( Digital-to-Analog Convertor) Clear, detailed, life-like sound for your digital music collection in PC/NB, with all the connection(XLR, RCA) you need for end devices.
2. Stand alone DAC With S/PDIF in and input select, it also serves as an independent DAC which connects with digital inputs such as CD audio source and then plays to the end devices. Steps: • Connect with other audio resource with S/PDIF input (by Coaxial/Optical cable) • Select COA (coaxial input) or TOS (optical input) in the front panel as the input source Coaxial audio connector (COA) TOSLINK audio cable CD/DVD player HP GAIN R L AUX IN TOSLINK COAXIAL USB DC IN DIGITAL INFUT 3.
Front Panel USB POWER 1. COA TOS AUX BIT PERFECT Headphone Galn INPUT Power On/Off Press to turn on and again to turn off. 2. Input selection Press to select audio input source: USB, Toslink, Coaxial, or AUX audio input. 3. Input selection/Bit perfect indicator The corresponding LED will light up to show which audio source has been selected. 4. Speaker volume control The volume control adjusts the output level of unbalanced RCA output. 5.
Rear Panel HP GAIN R L AUX IN TOSLINK COAXIAL USB DC IN DIGITAL INFUT 1. Headphone Gain Selection Toggle the switch to change between low or high headphone gain settings. NOTE: If you have a low impedance headset/headphone, please do not switch to high gain setting. When switching between high and low gain settings, please remove the connected headphones/headset before proceeding. 2.
6. USB port Connect a PC via a Type B to Type A USB lead. NOTE: You need to install the device driver that enables the Xonar Essence STU to work with Windows operating system. 7. Power port (AC in) Plug the supplied power adapter into the Xonar Essence STU once you have completed all connections.
Hardware Introduction 1. USB Audio processor: C-Media CMI6631A (for USB input) 2. S/PDIF receiver: TI PCM9211 (for digital input) 3. DAC: TI PCM1792A 4. Swappable Op-amps: LME49720 x2 5. Swappable Op-amps: LM4562 x1 6. Swappable Op-amps: OPA2132 x1 7. Film Cap (red ones): WIMA FKP2 8. Op-amps: LM4562 (for Speaker out) 9.
Connections Input 1. NB/PC-USB connections NOTE: Do not turn on the machine until all connections have been made. HP GAIN R L AUX IN TOSLINK COAXIAL USB USB DC IN DIGITAL INFUT Mini-USB B-A type connector Desktop PC Notebook PC (1) Connect a USB ‘B–A’ type lead (as illustrated at left) from the Xonar Essence STU’s USB input to one of the USB ports on the PC/NB. (2) Turn on the Xonar Essence STU using the front panel On/Off switch and make sure that the USB input is selected (USB LED lit).
NOTES: • The PC’s previous audio output device should now be temporarily disabled and the Xonar Essence STU becomes the default audio playback device for the PC/NB. This can be confirmed in the Control Panel’s Sounds, Speech and Audio Devices properties window under the Volume tab. • 2. If you wish to disconnect your Xonar Essence STU and return to using your previous soundcard, etc., simply disconnect it or switch off the power on the front panel.
(1) Connect your digital source (ex. CD/DVD players or some PC/NB with SPDIF output) to Digital Input. Either S/P DIF Coaxial or Toslink optical types can be used, each being of equal quality. NOTE: Both Coaxial and Toslink Inputs can be used to connect and run equipment at the same time. Output 1.
2. With Active Speaker directly HP GAIN R L AUX IN TOSLINK COAXIAL USB DC IN DIGITAL INFUT Active Speaker System (1) 3. Connect Xonar Essence STU with a set of active speakers directly. With Headphone/Headset USB POWER COA TOS AUX BIT PERFECT Headphone Galn INPUT 6.3mm connector Headphones/headsets (1) Connect Xonar Essence STU with high-quality headphones/headsets directly.
Specifications Items Description Audio Performance Output Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-Weighted): Line Out: 120dB Headphone: 117dB Output Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise at 1kHz@-3dB (A-Weighted): Line Out: -108dB Headphone: -101dB Line Out: 2Vrms Output Full-Scale Voltage Headphone: 7Vrms Frequency Response (-3dB, 24-bit/192kHz output): <10Hz to 48kHz Bus Compatibility USB USB 2.
Specifications Sample Rate and Resolution Analog Playback Sample Rate and Resolution 44.1K/48K/88.2K/96K/176.4K/192KHz @ 16/24bit Power consumption (Max) 12W I/O Ports Line Out (Dual RCA) Output Jack: 6.
