ASUS XONAR SE 5.1 Channel 192kHz/24-bit Hi-Res 116dB SNR PCIe Gaming Sound Card with Windows 10 Comp

This card works exceptionally well, especially compared to all the other sound cards reviewed by people. In my case specifically, the card itself installed without any issues upon boot AND the drivers that I downloaded didn't even require that the sound cards 'control panel' be installed to use it correctly, it is optional. Of course you can always let windows handle the necessary driver installation straight from the internet or from the system's library itself. Though you should always check to see if the one you downloaded is more up to date than windows. Fortunately mine were already up to date with just windows alone. Performance? Probably some of the best from any sound cards I have used, including the ones integrated into the motherboard. The sound comes off SUPER clear and with the right amount of amplification needed for my headphones. So there was no issues with either having a flat audio/sound or noise encumbering my experience. The microphone port is also super clear in audio feedback with very little noise in the background. So I can definitely say i've gotten my money's 'worth'.

Bob · 2018-12-02 · via amazon

I was a bit skeptical about modern sound cards, but I got this for an HTPC to check it out (it comes with a small form factor bracket that's easy enough to install). At first, I only tried the digital optical TOSLINK port, which did sound better, but only marginally. My advice is to stick to analog if possible, the effect is much more apparent, even to my relatively insensitive ears. Audio is much richer sounding than without it and will definitely improve a home audio system! Linux support is acceptable, I couldn't get the front panel header to work, but that might just be my HTPC distro or a configuration error on my end.

Justin Frattallone · 2025-01-22 · via amazon

OK, I had used several adapters, and the last one worked pretty well from computer USB to Optical on Sound Bar. I wanted better, bought this Sound Card, used with Ubuntu 20.04 LTS without success and spent much time for solution, and could not solve. Had some reasons not to move up to Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, but finally solved those issues because I wanted to use this Sound Card...and all finally worked out well. I write this review only if it can help others, and support some recent reviews I just read about this. Very easy to install and totally plug and play without issue with Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, and the sound is better than through the adapter, and the adapter was digital. I would not however recommend trying to use it on other versions of Ubuntu, or likely other Linux distros either as it did not work on Zorin, but again totally easy with the new Ubuntu 2204 LTS version. With many good Sound Bars being for TVs, HDMI Arch does not work on computers...and Bluetooth was out of sink with video so it was horrible...so Optical is the only good connection with TV Sound Bars...the Sound Card with Optical is the best way...for certain. So very pleased with quality and ease of use with Ubunut 22.04 LTS...and I just updated this review as it works with Ubuntu 24.04 LTS as well. But again, this will not be the case with many other distros of Ubuntu/Linux.

Mr. Boston · 2023-08-22 · via amazon

So first off, I love this thing and just installed it a few min ago. I originally needed SPIF out, which my 2019 mobo didn't include for some odd reason (also asus) Before I was taking audio (via HDMI) through a tv, to my sound bar, now it's direct. But wow, what a difference. The highs are crisp, the mids I can actually hear and the lows are more bold. Now, using a sound bar, I can only use 96000hz/24 bit. But thats using toslink, to a soundbar. When I connected my surround sound to it, I'm able to play my flac quality music at 19200hz/24. You won't get any sound if your equipment doesn't support it. As soon as I booted windows up, boom everything was working without the software. Just remember, a secondary card always will carry better quality than what is built in, no matter the cost. The chip can be fine, but the integration is terrible, and quality suffers. This sound card fixes it. Added bonus, you can connect your front panel sound to the card! my old soundblaster didn't offer that.

Prison Mike · 2020-10-22 · via amazon

Motherboard sound either died or was defective; anyway got one of these and it provides better sound quality than I have ever had from any motherboard directly. The key was to skip any effects like EQ whuch are ooor quality and set the card to "Hi-fi" and the maximum available bitrate which is something like 196Khz. Card has a builtin headphone amp which motherboards normally don't have; in any case sound quality is top notch through headphones via 1/8 inch (3.5mm) output jack. Sounds awesome with Spotify. Installed on Windows 11 and worked without any special driver or other software installed.

Snoopy · 2024-02-11 · via amazon

Best Buy

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