ASUS Also Announces the Xonar U7 MkII External Sound Card

[btarunr]

ASUS today announced Xonar U7 MKII, a high-quality USB sound card and headphone amplifier. The compact Xonar U7 MKII is an upgraded version of the acclaimed Xonar U7 and features true 7.1-channel,192kHz/24-bit high-definition (HD) surround-sound output for incredible audio performance. Xonar U7 MKII comes with ASUS Sonic Studio, a software utility with an intuitive single-screen interface that provides complete control over a wide range of audio features, and Sonic Radar Pro, a feature for gamers that visually maps in-game sounds in first-person shooter (FPS) games to provide a competitive advantage.

ASUS Xonar U7 MKII retains the compact USB-powered design that was a highlight of the original Xonar U7 and delivers true 7.1-channel, 192kHz/24-bit HD audio, outperforming most available USB-powered audio devices. With a high-quality Cirrus Logic CS4398 digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and exclusive ASUS Hyper Grounding technology, Xonar U7 MKII has a 114dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), ensuring ultra-pure sound for the best listening experiences. The small size of Xonar U7 MKII takes up minimal room on a desk, and makes it easily portable, so laptop users can enjoy great-sounding audio anywhere.



Enhanced gaming and media streaming
ASUS Xonar U7 MKII is great for gaming and media streaming with dedicated headphone and microphone controls that let users make instant audio adjustments without interrupting their game or entertainment. The master volume control knob doubles as an output selector, so users can keep their speakers and headphones connected and conveniently switch between them with a simple click of a button. Additionally, USB connectivity enables both laptop and desktop users to easily upgrade their system's audio performance and enjoy incredible gaming and media streaming experiences.

Complete and intuitive audio control
ASUS Xonar U7 MKII comes with Sonic Studio, a full-featured and easy-to-use sound utility that gives users complete control over a wide range of audio features, such as equalization (EQ) and 7.1 surround speaker level-balancing. Unlike typical audio utilities with multi-screen interfaces that make configuration complicated and time-consuming, Sonic Studio has an intuitive all-in-one view that puts all the necessary audio controls on a single screen to make adjustments fast and easy.

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 FPS games. Sonic Studio is fully compatible with Windows 10.

Specifications:

• Output signal-to-noise ratio (A-weighted): Up to 114dB
• Input signal-to-noise ratio (A-weighted): 110dB
• Output total harmonic distortion + noise at 1khz (A-weighted): Up to 0.0006% (104dB)
• Input total harmonic distortion + noise at 1kHz (A-weighted): Up to 0.001% (-100dB)
• Frequency response (-3dB, 24-bit/96kHz input ): <10Hz to 46kHz
• Output/input full-scale voltage:
• Rear output (Speaker) 1Vrms (2.828 Vp-p)
• Headphone 1.3Vrms (3.677 Vp-p)
• Line-in 1Vrms (3.677Vp-p)
• Bus Compatibility: USB audio class, USB audio class 2.0 for all functions, USB audio class 1.0 for playback
• Main Chipset (Audio processor): CMedia CMI6632AX High-performance sound processor (Max. 192KHz/24-bit)
• D-A converter (digital sources): 1 x Cirrus CS4398 (120dB SNR, Max. 192kHz/24-bit), 1 x Cirrus CS4362 (114dB SNR, Max. 192kHz/24-bit)
• A-D converter (analog input): 1x Cirrus CS5361 (114dB SNR, Max. 192kHz/24-bit)
• Analog playback sample rate and resolution: 44.1K/48K/88.2K/96K/172.4K/192KHz @ 16/24-bit
• Analog recording sample rate and resolution: 44.1K/48K/88.2K/96KHz/172.4K/192K @ 16/24-bit
• S/PDIF digital output: 44.1K/48K/88.2K/96K/172.4K/192KHz @ 16/24-bit
• ASIO 2.0 driver support: 44.1K/48K/88.2K/96K/172.4K/192KHz @ 16/24-bit
• Operating system support: Windows 10/8.1/7(32/64-bit)

For more information, visit the product page.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[Ferrum Master]

Not bad... but same old boring thing. Basic minimum.

Is it a USB 2.0 Full or High Speed device? (Because of USB isolation devices).

Would like to see some photo of innards... anyone seen?

 

[deemon]

While still failing to deliver proper (non-beta) all functions included (also DDL), Win10 drivers for the original U7.

Also weirdly enough still having the same poor design with different analog outputs for front and surround channels, where you need to buy extra RCA to 3.5mm dongle from amazon or something to operate this in analog surround setting. ( https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002GUBIS/?tag=tec06d-20 ). This dongle SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED this time around!

Also although it on picture seems to have S/PDIF out, no mention about DTS or DDL - was this overlooked? or missing entirely?

 

[btarunr]

Lack of Windows XP support is sad. Audiophiles and amateur composers still use 32-bit XP for its DirectSound hardware acceleration support, and the best output quality.

 

[Ferrum Master]

Lack of Windows XP support is sad. Audiophiles and amateur composers still use 32-bit XP for its DirectSound hardware acceleration support, and the best output quality.

Well you mean XP = ASIO for those things. Krhrmm. HW acceleration is non existent for those things, it ain't Creative and games. And kernel streaming and ASIO are the strong points in XP. Direct sound isn't used actually - especially for composers and their protools.

You can use any generic driver for it probably... CMI6632 like from Schiit for example. I use it for my Asus Thunderbolt hybrid card that surprisingly decent audio part. With same part combo. Had to use Schiit drivers as ASUS usually... doesn't give sound drivers .

CM6632 is supported by XP. You will have to poke around to get it working, but not completely hopeless. Linux should work out of the box.

And... yes... in the whole world RCA connectors are one of the THE WORST things made by man... who was in his LSD trip getting a positive signal terminal before the ground terminal... yes there are some advanced neutrik connectors that mend it... but it's a workaround... still one of most stupid things used in consumer electronics.

 

[m1dg3t]

w00t^ a polished turd! Still no HDMI cert Asus? LoLoL

@Ferrum Master: Put a nice set of those Neutriks on my Dual 505-3 when I rewired it, excellent connectors

 

[Ferrum Master]

w00t^ a polished turd! Still no HDMI cert Asus? LoLoL

@Ferrum Master: Put a nice set of those Neutriks on my Dual 505-3 when I rewired it, excellent connectors

I will simply drill a hole and solder some proper TRS. Neutrik is a defacto in my books for any connectors related for audio as such actually. There many fakes too, have to cautious and buying from authorized sellers only.

 

[m1dg3t]

I will simply drill a hole and solder some proper TRS. Neutrik is a defacto in my books for any connectors related for audio as such actually. There many fakes too, have to cautious and buying from authorized sellers only.

I sourced them from https://www.takefiveaudio.com/

These guys have been great to me over the years, from building power cords to rewiring a tonearm

Bummed they don't carry 4s11any longer as I need to make a couple more sets of speaker cables...

1/4 TRS? Mostly 'pro' stuff you're using then?

 

[Ferrum Master]

I sourced them from https://www.takefiveaudio.com/

These guys have been great to me over the years, from building power cords to rewiring a tonearm

Bummed they don't carry 4s11any longer as I need to make a couple more sets of speaker cables...

1/4 TRS? Mostly 'pro' stuff you're using then?

It depends with what I use the thing. I create and repair many things... also proaudio. Those just are really rugged and available without stress, very nicely done and designed to be used roughly... The worst thing you can have is a crack from a jack during a concert. It is inexcusable . Just a matter of making it like tool.

I use a properly modded X-FI HD USB mostly for measuring other devices... it is cheap and thus not afraid to burn it out, decent ADC. I have killed many devices while working - that's layf... Easy to debug most problems without using more serious and expensive spectrum analyzers for fighting noise anomalies etc things.

Also... USB is a really shitty[read noisy] thing for audio actually... especially if the device is powered from the same port. Any USB radio containing device needs a USB isolator... or use it from batteries... if you plug it to the mains(like charging or using a PC) then the fun starts and you cannot measure two devices, there are many kind of distortion ringing in the rails. There are cheap ADuM4160 based devices for hispeed, pop it a bluetooth dongle even in it and it will work much more better due to enormously lower noise floor. RTL-SDR any other devices use them as a must... Full Speed isolators are expensive thou.

Here a pic from some shitty USB dac... one with and one without isolation. You will get the idea how things work. It is not about the averaged percentage of noise(that actually looks still good in the table)... but about them harmonic spikes in the graphs... Most sound card reviewers should be put in line and shot They don't understand a thing and usually believe in imaginary friends(right/mellow/airy/transparent sound).

 

[AsRock]

Not bad... but same old boring thing. Basic minimum.

Is it a USB 2.0 Full or High Speed device? (Because of USB isolation devices).

Would like to see some photo of innards... anyone seen?

Maybe ?

 

[bogami]

What here blow 114dB THD+N , it is 107dB THD+N on converter max and worst element forming the final result . https://www.cirrus.com/en/products/pro/detail/P1023.html

 

[Ferrum Master]

What here blow 114dB THD+N , it is 107dB THD+N on converter max and worst element forming the final result . https://www.cirrus.com/en/products/pro/detail/P1023.html

Don't bash it. It is still a very stable and good DAC. DAC is only the lesser part of the whole picture. How you implement it is the most important thing.

@AsRock Looks like the old one... Actually really wanted to tell like, find at least 3 differences.

 

[AsRock]

Don't bash it. It is still a very stable and good DAC. DAC is only the lesser part of the whole picture. How you implement it is the most important thing.

@AsRock Looks like the old one... Actually really wanted to tell like, find at least 3 differences.

Well i noticed it did not have a X on the cm chip, i am thinking it's still close other wise.

 

[Ferrum Master]

Well i noticed it did not have a X on the cm chip, i am thinking it's still close other wise.

Then in your pic there's the old U7.

There is no datasheet about this X. Some wild guess could be about processing some effects. And hardware bugfixes... hey... it is a cmedia device

I wonder if it has the USB 1.1 mode switch... that could be it actually!

 

[Costin Draghia]

Hello people !
Because I'm in love again with my Akai GX deck, I'd like to transfer my FLAC, APE, SHN and other 24bits/192kHz albums to tapes.
I'm interested only for stereo output so please let me know if the 2 RCA stereo outputs delivery same quality signals like the original digital material.
In other words, it worth to buy it for this purpose.
Thanks !
And please excuse my broken english.