ASUS debuts trio of STRIX series audio cards

If you're in the market for a discrete audio card, ASUS has just launched three potential options. The new STRIX Raid DLX, STRIX Raid Pro and STRIX Soar deliver 192kHz/24-bit audio high-definition audio, 7.1-channel surround-sound, and Perfect Voice noise-cancellation technology.

The Strix Raid DLX (Deluxe) is the flagship model with an ESS SABRE9016 digital-to-analog converter (DAC), which ASUS claims is world's highest-performance 32-bit and 24-bit audio DC, it delivers a 124dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The STRIX Raid Pro and STRIX Soar on the other hand are based on the ESS SABRE9006A DAC. All three cards feature a built-in 600-ohm headphone amplifier and the two Raid models come with an audio station that lets you fine-tune settings without looking away from your game.

The real question though is how well these cards will be supported. Many people who bought the previous Xonar cards from ASUS are severely displeased by the lack of driver updates.

ASUS today announced Strix Raid DLX, Strix Raid Pro, and Strix Soar, gaming sound cards that deliver sensational, high-definition 192kHz/24-bit audio, 7.1-channel surround-sound, and Perfect Voice noise-cancellation technology for incredible gaming experiences.

Strix Raid DLX is a premium soundcard built with high-end components to satisfy gamers who demand the ultimate audio performance. Strix Raid DLX features an ESS SABRE9016 digital-to-analog converter (DAC) — the world’s highest performance 32-bit and 24-bit audio DAC — to deliver rich, immersive, and clear sound with an incredible 124dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Designed for enthusiast gamers, Strix Raid Pro and Strix Soar come with the high-performance ESS SABRE9006A DAC for pure, full-sounding audio with an impressive 116dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Low-dropout (LDO) regulators and Hi-Fi-grade Nichicon FineGold, Nichicon Muse, and German WIMA capacitors ensure optimized power delivery.

Strix Raid DLX, Strix Raid Pro, and Strix Soar each have a built-in 600-ohm headphone amplifier to drive a wide range of headphones and deliver clear, detailed sound with deep, tight bass.

Instant in-game audio adjustment with Raid Mode
Strix Raid Mode lets gamers with Strix Raid DLX and Strix Raid Pro sound cards save their favorite audio adjustments into custom presets that they can instantly turn on or off with the dedicated Raid button on the included soundcard audio control box. This powerful feature ensures gamers will never miss a single moment of gaming action by having to pause their game and open software to adjust their audio settings. The audio control box also has a convenient control knob that lets users adjust the volume and the Raid Mode intensity level, while also doubling as an output-selector button to switch between headphones and speakers.

Simple audio configuration with Sonic Studio
Strix Raid DLX, Strix Raid Pro, and Strix Soar sound cards come with Sonic Studio, the next-generation sound utility from ASUS that provides gamers complete control over their sound card’s audio features. It features a beautiful, intuitive interface that groups a wide range of audio-adjustment functions together logically, making Sonic Studio both powerful and easy to use. Unlike typical audio utilities with multi-screen interfaces that make configuration complicated and time-consuming, Sonic Studio has an elegant all-in-one view that puts all the necessary controls on a single screen to make adjustments fast and easy for users.

The Sonic Studio interface groups key audio controls together based on function, making features easy to find and configuration error-free. The Audio Enhancement group features tools for fine-grained audio control, including an equalizer for adjusting the gain of specific frequencies, Bass Boost for deeper, more pronounced bass, Voice Clarity for making speech stand out more prominently in games and movies, and Compressor to adjust audio dynamic range. The Tuning group lets headphone listeners enable virtual surround-sound and configure the spaciousness of the effect using virtual adjustments of speaker placement and reverb. Finally, the Mic tuning group contains microphone configuration tools and features the Perfect Voice control. Designed for multiplayer gaming where communicating with teammates is especially important, Perfect Voice reduces background noise — such as keyboard and mouse clicks as well as people talking nearby — in speech signals to ensure clear, in-game voice communication.

Sonic Studio also includes controls for Sonic Radar Pro, a unique feature that precisely maps in-game sounds — such as footsteps and gunshots — and displays them on an on-screen overlay, so gamers can pinpoint their enemies for a competitive advantage in first-person shooters.

SPECIFICATIONS
Strix Raid DLX
Audio Performance
Output signal-to-noise ratio	Line out: 124dB Headphone: 124dB Line in: 117dB
Output total harmonic distortion + noise	Line out: 0.0009% (-107dB) Headphone: 0.0009% (-107dB)
Frequency response	<10Hz to 48kHz
Output full-scale voltage	2Vrms (5.65Vp-p)
Components
Audio processor	C-Media USB 2.0 high-definition sound processor (Max. 384KHz/24-bit) CM6632AX
D-A converter	ESS SABRE9016 Premier 8-channel audio DAC
A-D converter	Cirrus Logic CS5381*1 (114dB DNR, Max. 192KHz/24-bit)
Headphone amplifier	TI LME49600
Sample Rate and Resolution
Analog playback	44.1K/48K/88.2/96/176.4/192KHz @ 16/24-bit for all channels
Analog recording	44.1K/48K/88.2/96/176.4/192KHz @ 16/24-bit for all channels
S/PDIF digital output	44.1K/48K/96/192KHz @ 16/24-bit
ASIO 2.0 driver support	44.1K/48K/96/192KHz @ 16/24-bit
Connectivity
Output	4 x analog out 3.5mm jack (front/side/rear/center) 1 x headphone out 3.5mm jack 1 x box link 1 x S/PDIF coaxial out (combo with side out)
Strix Raid Pro/Strix Soar
Audio Performance
Output signal-to-noise ratio	Line out: 116dB Headphone: 110dB Line in: 110dB
Output total harmonic distortion + noise	Line out: 0.001% (-100dB) Headphone: 0.003% (-90dB)
Frequency response	<10Hz to 48kHz
Output full-scale voltage	2Vrms (5.65Vp-p)
Sample rate and resolution	44.1K/48K/88.2/96/176.4/192KHz@16/24bit
Components
Audio processor	C-Media USB 2.0 high-definition sound processor (max. 384KHz/24-bit) CM6632AX
D-A converter	ESS SABRE9006A Premier 8-channel audio DAC
A-D converter	Cirrus Logic CS5361*1 (114dB DNR, max. 192KHz/24-bit)
Headphone amplifier	TI TPA6120
Sample Rate and Resolution
Analog Playback	44.1K/48K/88.2/96/176.4/192KHz @ 16/24-bit for all channels
Analog Recording	44.1K/48K/88.2/96/176.4/192KHz @ 16/24-bit for all channels
S/PDIF digital output	44.1K/48K/96/192KHz @ 16/24-bit
ASIO 2.0 driver support	44.1K/48K/96/192KHz @ 16/24-bit
Connectivity
Output	4 x analog out 3.5mm jack (front/side/rear/center) 1 x headphone out 3.5mm jack 1 x box link 1 x S/PDIF coaxial out (combo with Side out)
Input	1 x analog in 3.5mm jack (mic/line-in)