Asus XONAR ESSENCE - Sound Card - 192 kHz User manual

Third Edition
Oct. 2012
Copyright © 2012 ASUSTeK Computer Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Xonar Essence One
Hi-Fi USB DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter)
E7801
Opamp Swap Guide

2ASUS Xonar Essence One Opamp Swap Guide
English
1. Disassembly
1. Loosen the four screws in the front panel and the two screws in the rear panel
with a screwdriver.
Xonar Essence One
HEADPHONE
VOLUME
VOLUME
BIT PERFECT
192
96
88.2
48
44.1
176.4
_+_+
MUTEINPUT
USB
TOS
COA
UPSAMPLINGPOWER
UNBALANCED
OUTPUT
BALANCED OUTPUT DIGITAL INPUT
USBLRR
L
TOSLINK
COAXIAL
VOLTAGE SELECTOR AC IN
230
Front Panel
Rear Panel
2. Push the power connector on the rear panel to remove the machine bed
(including the PCB board and power module) from the machine housing.
UNBALANCED
OUTPUT
BALANCED OUTPUT DIGITAL INPUT
USBLRR
L
TOSLINK
COAXIAL
VOLTAGE SELECTOR AC IN
230
2. Swap Guide
Change all the OP-amps of the same types in the same slot. For example, if you
need to change DAC I/V (slot 1), you would need to change all the OP-amps of
the same types in all slot 1. If you need to change DAC buffer (slot 2), you need
to change the OP-amps of the same types in all slot 2.

3
ASUS Xonar Essence One Opamp Swap Guide
English
All outputs (Headphone output, RCA
output, XLR output)
Headphone
output
RCA output XLR output
1√
2√
3A √
3B √
4√
4
4
4
1
1
1
1
2
2
3B
3B
3A
1. Serves as I/V (current to voltage convertor) that turns current from DAC
into voltage for output purpose. Changing this will affect all outputs
(including Headphone output, RCA output and XLR output).
2. ServesasLowPassFilterthatltersbackgroundnoises.Changingthis
will affect all outputs (including Headphone output, RCA output and XLR
output).
3A. Servesasbufferthatenhancestheoutputsignalforthespeaker.
Changing this will affect the RCA output.
3B. Servesasbufferthatenhancestheoutputsignalforthespeaker.
Changing this will affect the XLR output
4. Serves as buffer that enhances the output signal for the headphone.
Changing this will affect the headphone output.
Output
Opamp

4ASUS Xonar Essence One Opamp Swap Guide
English
Recommended OPamp List
Brand Model name
NS LME49860
NS LME49720NA
NS LM4562NA
TI OPA2111
TI OPA2132
TI OPA2107
ADI OP275
ADI AD823
NJRC MUSE01
NJRC MUSE02
Sound Impression
DAC I/V Slot 1 DAC buffer Slot 2 Sound Impression
TI – OPA2107 TI – OPA2132 Brighter vocal, slightly less bottom sound
TI – OPA2107 NS – LME49860 Even brighter than the above combination, and more
detailed with less but tighter bottom sound
NS – LME49720 NS – LM4562NA LesswarmthanstockOP-amps,moreextensive
detailed and dampened mid-range, Essence ST/STX
style
NS – LM4562NA NS – LM4562NA Wider sound stage but less detailed than the above
combination
NS – LM4562NA NJRC – MUSE02 Powerful, punchy sound with good sound stage; less
detailed present.
NS – LME49720NA NJRC – MUSE02 Brighter, thinner sound and more detailed than the
above combination
The following table lists the sound impression brought by different combinations of
op-amp pairing.

5
ASUS Xonar Essence One Opamp Swap Guide
English
Australia statement notice
From 1 January 2012 updated warranties apply to all ASUS products, consistent
with the Australian Consumer Law. For the latest product warranty details please
visit http://support.asus.com. Our goods come with guarantees that cannot be
excluded under the Australian Consumer Law. You are entitled to a replacement or
refund for a major failure and compensation for any other reasonably foreseeable
loss or damage. You are also entitled to have the goods repaired or replaced if the
goods fail to be of acceptable quality and the failure does not amount to a major
failure.
If you require assistance please call ASUS Customer Service 1300 2787 88 or visit
us at http://support.asus.com