PC pcie soundcard

[AzrielID]

Hi, im actually using an Asus xonar essence STX (pcie versione) and i thinking about changing it, but im a bit concerc about "is actually worth?"

The STX work well on the hardware side, a little bit less on the drivers side (actually using UniXonar), the audio seems to be good (expect the times when the channel go fuck themselft and only one give output or when high hiss pitch occurs). My setup is attually Thieaudio hype 2 and Fosi audio V3.
I have noticed that the card have some difficulties driving the low impedence IEM (i need to push the headphones output to high gain). but no issues on the speakers amp (rca)
I tried to do a test with RMAA, but idk how much should i trust it, maybe i have done something wrong (the input signal was directly feed in the STX)

I thinking about replace the card with the creative AE-9 (the external ACM would be usefull for me) or, maybe, the creative X5

Any actual tips on what should i do? keep the moneys and stay with the STX or upgrade (even if can be considered a real upgrade) to the AE-9/X5?

 

[markanini]

What kind of connectivity will you need, and what's your budget? Are you open to external sound cards which are much more common in 2025, and less likely to pick up EMI-RF from the motherboard?

 

[G|force]

I like the Lynx e22 and e44 cards for their drivers and balanced outputs, but dang they are pricey even on the used market.

 

[AzrielID]

What kind of connectivity will you need, and what's your budget? Are you open to external sound cards which are much more common in 2025, and less likely to pick up EMI-RF from the motherboard?

Id like to keep the RCA output to the Fosi V3, for the Thieaudio a 3.5mm is anought (for now, i dont have a balanced cable)

I wanted to keep a budget of 200 euros, thats why the Creative X5 (usb and external) seems better than the AE-9 (found on creative site from B-Stock a 180 euros with 1 year warranty)

 

[AzrielID]

I like the Lynx e22 and e44 cards for their drivers and balanced outputs, but dang they are pricey even on the used market.

I cant afford a 1000 euros card :c
A little bit over the actual budget

 

[markanini]

Id like to keep the RCA output to the Fosi V3, for the Thieaudio a 3.5mm is anought (for now, i dont have a balanced cable)

I wanted to keep a budget of 200 euros, thats why the Creative X5 (usb and external) seems better than the AE-9 (found on creative site from B-Stock a 180 euros with 1 year warranty)

The suboptimal 10Ohm output impedance of the Xonar is for sure affecting the output level and FR of the Thieaudio Hype2. Normally audio interfaces like Audient iD4 are a solid recomendation, but if you find a Creative X5 for around the same price, and you like the feature set, then you will probably be good. Check posted measurements to be sure. While you wait for a deal you can order a 20$USB dongle using CX31993 or CS43131 ICs, they measure better than most soundcards headphone-outs, and most importantly they have an output impedance under 2 Ohm that IEMs need, that will already adress the main weakness of your current setup. Other than the annoying glitch.

 

[Lambda]

Why not get USB audio interface?
There are sure a lot of dongles out ther to drive the IEMs with no problem.

 

[amirm]

There is no reason to get an internal card. They are a pain to install, the connectors will be in the back. And generally what is available is not great. As noted, just get a USB DAC.

 

[julian_hughes]

There is no reason to get an internal card. They are a pain to install, the connectors will be in the back. And generally what is available is not great. As noted, just get a USB DAC.

Yes! Exactly. And do not spend $1000!!!! I used Xonar cards for years. They were expensive but pretty good. Better than motherboard audio and all other consumer options for a long time. The world changed. My Topping D10 USB DAC is so much better that it's not even a contest. It's better in the same way that a modest GPU or discrete graphics card makes even expensive options of 10 years ago look pointless. It handles everything perfectly, cost very little, has great connectivity, has worked for years without error. Forget PCI and PCI-E sound cards. They are history, like serial ports, dot matrix printers and floppy drives.

 

[AzrielID]

There is no reason to get an internal card. They are a pain to install, the connectors will be in the back. And generally what is available is not great. As noted, just get a USB DAC.

I am thinking about switching to a USB dac for a while now, but at the same time i wanted to give a look at the creative AE-9 because of the ACM (seems good to have this module, so only the fosi v3 will be in the back connected with the rca cable)

i read your review about the X5 and now im tempted to buy it istahead of internal one

 

[voodooless]

Fun fact: many of these PCI-E cards actually contain a USB chip and then connect over USB to the actual sound chip.

 

[ZolaIII]

I am thinking about switching to a USB dac for a while now, but at the same time i wanted to give a look at the creative AE-9 because of the ACM (seems good to have this module, so only the fosi v3 will be in the back connected with the rca cable)

i read your review about the X5 and now im tempted to buy it istahead of internal one

Module is exactly why you shouldn't buy it. It uses micro HDMI and doesn't perform. AE-5 Plus is actually fine (including headphone out and impedance) and not much money. You do need multichannel for one day you add sub's. If you aren't annoyed by what you already have you can buy a 10$ Apple dongle for IEM's or CS43131 based dongle starting at about 25$.
Edit: regarding functionality you can use mechanical keyboard with volume controls and macros (where you add audio mod switches or whatever you need) including wireless ones. I have such wireless TKL tho rarely use it for that.

 

[dedobot]

PCI is interface for extremely wide bandwidth (throughput) between the device and cpu/ram/storage.
Audio's data rate demand is less than modest so if USB offers same latency like PCI it's pointless to use the latter.
By the way many people confuse speed (latency) with bandwidth (data rate, throughput).

 

[audio_tony]

I tried to do a test with RMAA, but idk how much should i trust it, maybe i have done something wrong (the input signal was directly feed in the STX)

Your test results look ok.

The STX is actually a superb card, I use mine for audio measurements as well.

If you find the headphone output a bit weak, maybe just buy a decent headphone amp instead of a whole new sound card.

I don't think any of the USB cards you have mentioned will be any better than the STX.

 

[AzrielID]

Module is exactly why you shouldn't buy it. It uses micro HDMI and doesn't perform. AE-5 Plus is actually fine (including headphone out and impedance) and not much money. You do need multichannel for one day you add sub's. If you aren't annoyed by what you already have you can buy a 10$ Apple dongle for IEM's or CS43131 based dongle starting at about 25$.
Edit: regarding functionality you can

Module is exactly why you shouldn't buy it. It uses micro HDMI and doesn't perform. AE-5 Plus is actually fine (including headphone out and impedance) and not much money. You do need multichannel for one day you add sub's. If you aren't annoyed by what you already have you can buy a 10$ Apple dongle for IEM's or CS43131 based dongle starting at about 25$.
Edit: regarding functionality you can use mechanical keyboard with volume controls and macros (where you add audio mod switches or whatever you need) including wireless ones. I have such wireless TKL tho rarely use it for that.

actually im annoyed with it, because of the persistent driver issues (high pitch hiss and channel issues), thats the main issue and thats why im searching for a replacement

I only have 2 type c ports on the back of the pc, the dongle actually is not a good idea (

use mechanical keyboard with volume controls and macros (where you add audio mod switches or whatever you need) including wireless ones. I have such wireless TKL tho rarely use it for that.

 

[ZolaIII]

Your test results look ok.

The STX is actually a superb card, I use mine for audio measurements as well.

If you find the headphone output a bit weak, maybe just buy a decent headphone amp instead of a whole new sound card.

I don't think any of the USB cards you have mentioned will be any better than the STX.

As much as I don't like Creative regarding driver's Asus is 10x that and with Armour Crate even 100x. EVGA had some very good especially regarding ADC and real 8 chenel DAC (instead a two chenel one and audio codec for rest) but that's history now. No need to reinvent wheel really. EU Apple dongle will run sensitive IEM's more than fine (and dead silent). I downgraded to SB Z SE from AE-5 for Toslink input and at -2 dB (in it's case it's close to 1.9 V) it performs better than AE-5 tho I don't use it for headphones (23 Ohms self impedance). There are and headphones that aren't sensitive to added self impedance and won't change FR with it. But that's another story.

 

[ZolaIII]

I only have 2 type c ports on the back of the pc, the dongle actually is not a good idea (

You use A to C female adopter, problem solved.
Edit: some come with exchangeble cable and regular female port. For around 40~50$ you can buy LDAC BT dongle (QCC5125+CS43131) that doubles as USB DAC (USB audio 1.0 only and with generic driver) and can drive to mid sensitive headphones/earphones (1.76V or -2 dB to 2V) Hiby W3 II.

 

[markanini]

You can get a USB hub with a mix of A and C ports, some even clip on to your monitor if you don't want to keep your desk space clean. Your monitor might already have have a built in USB hub, then a A to C adapter will be enough.

 

[AzrielID]

just for recapt

The asus STX is actually a good card (unlike the STX II), the only "problem" is caused by drivers (not everytime), the only downside is the low impedence gain that doesnt sound as well as the high gain (ill never try the extra high)

The creative AE-9 is not worth the upgrade (honestly, i wanted to ask mostly because i didnt find any useful user review) and wanted some opinion from someone here

The creative X5 was already reviewd by @amirm and (expect some "downsides" seems far good) for my use seems to be a good option (gaming, music on stotify/tidal, movies and normal use)

the other option (not mentioned before) could be the creative G6, i can still use the line out with a 3.5 to rca (reviewed by amirm).

I already use a dongle from ugreen for my iphone (but is lightnjng - jack) and i think i will keep it only for phone use




Idk if changing the STX is actually worth the money, im not a fanatic or audiophile, but i love to listen music and enjoy it, maybe im only stupid and bored with the STX and only need to keep and enjoy this card until she die?

 

[markanini]

Idk if changing the STX is actually worth the money, im not a fanatic or audiophile, but i love to listen music and enjoy it, maybe im only stupid and bored with the STX and only need to keep and enjoy this card until she die?

You said you have a glitch, but if you can live with it the only area that needs upgrading is the headphone out. You can get a dongle with a well-regarded IC specified like CX31993 or CS43131 and the performance will be close to world class. If dongles don't suit you Creative X5 you looked at has a CS43198 IC built in which is the balanced version of CS43131. Personally, I was more than happy to use dongles plugged into monitor adjacent USBC ports, it gives me some extra cable length vs, connecting to my Focusrite interface off to the side. For you it will come down to what you need more. https://audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/jcally-jm20-headphone-dongle-review.58749