Asus Xonar DSX User manual

Xonar DSX
7.1 PCIE Audio card
User manual

ii
E7080
First Edition V1
January 2012
Copyright © 2012 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved.
No part of this manual, including the products and software described in it, may be reproduced,
transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form or by any
means, except documentation kept by the purchaser for backup purposes, without the express written
permission of ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. (“ASUS”).
Product warranty or service will not be extended if: (1) the product is repaired, modied or altered, unless
such repair, modication of alteration is authorized in writing by ASUS; or (2) the serial number of the
product is defaced or missing.
ASUS PROVIDES THIS MANUAL “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS
OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL ASUS, ITS
DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL,
INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS,
LOSS OF BUSINESS, LOSS OF USE OR DATA, INTERRUPTION OF BUSINESS AND THE LIKE),
EVEN IF ASUS HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES ARISING FROM ANY
DEFECT OR ERROR IN THIS MANUAL OR PRODUCT.
SPECIFICATIONS AND INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MANUAL ARE FURNISHED FOR
INFORMATIONAL USE ONLY, AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE,
AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY ASUS. ASUS ASSUMES NO
RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS OR INACCURACIES THAT MAY APPEAR IN THIS
MANUAL, INCLUDING THE PRODUCTS AND SOFTWARE DESCRIBED IN IT.
Products and corporate names appearing in this manual may or may not be registered trademarks or
copyrights of their respective companies, and are used only for identication or explanation and to the
owners’ benet, without intent to infringe.

iii
Contents
Notices......................................................................................................... iv
Safety information ....................................................................................... v
Trademarks................................................................................................... v
License ......................................................................................................... v
1. Introduction ..................................................................................... 1
1.1 Package contents................................................................. 1
1.2 System requirements ........................................................... 1
1.3 Specications summary ....................................................... 2
2. Xonar DSX card layout ................................................................... 4
3. Installing the hardware................................................................... 6
3.1 Installing the audio card ....................................................... 6
3.2 Connecting to a TV tuner card ............................................. 7
4. Installing software........................................................................... 8
Installing the card driver.................................................................... 8
5. Connecting speakers and peripherals.......................................... 9
5.1 Connecting digital speaker systems (Home Theater) .......... 9
5.2 Connecting stereo headphones ......................................... 10
5.3 Connecting Analog Speaker Systems................................ 12
5.4 Connecting microphone ..................................................... 17
5.5 Connecting Line-In audio sources...................................... 18
6. Xonar Audio Center....................................................................... 19
6.1 Xonar Audio Center GUI .................................................... 19
6.2 Main Setting ....................................................................... 21
6.3 Mixer/Volume ..................................................................... 27
6.4 Effects ................................................................................ 30
6.5 Karaoke.............................................................................. 32
6.6 FlexBass ............................................................................ 34
6.7 Smart Volume Normalization.............................................. 35
6.8 DS3D GX and DSP Modes ................................................ 37
6.9 VocalFX.............................................................................. 39
7. Troubleshooting and FAQs .......................................................... 42
[Troubleshooting] ............................................................................ 42
[FAQ] ........................................................................................... 44

iv
Notices
Federal Communications Commission Statement
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
• This device may not cause harmful interference, and
• This device must accept any interference received including interference that
may cause undesired operation.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are
designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with manufacturer’s
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However,
there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If
this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception,
which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following
measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Canadian Department of Communications Statement
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions
from digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the
Canadian Department of Communications.
This class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.

v
This symbol of the crossed out wheeled bin indicates that the product
(electrical and electronic equipment) should not be placed in municipal
waste. Check local regulations for disposal of electronic products.
Safety information
• Before installing the device on a motherboard, carefully read all the manuals
that came with the package.
• To prevent electrical shock hazard or short circuits, switch off the power supply
before installing the device on a motherboard or connecting any signal cables
to the device.
• If the device is broken, do not try to x it by yourself. Contact a qualied service
technician or your retailer.
• Before using the product, make sure all cables are correctly connected. If you
detect any damage, contact your dealer immediately.
• To avoid short circuits, keep paper clips, screws, and staples away from
connectors, sockets and circuitry.
• Avoid dust, humidity, and temperature extremes. Do not place the product in
any area where it may become wet.
• Place the product on a stable surface.
• If you encounter technical problems with the product, contact a qualied
service technician or your retailer.
Trademarks
Xonar and ASUS logo are trademarks of ASUSTek Computer Inc. “Dolby”
and “Dolby Digital Live”, “Dolby Pro Logic IIx”, “Dolby Virtual Speaker”, “Dolby
Headphone” are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories. “DTS” and “DTS CONNECT”,
“DTS Interactive”, “DTS Neo: PC” are trademarks of Digital Theater Systems,
Inc. EAX and A3D are trademarks of Creative Technology Ltd. Microsoft,
DirectSound3D, Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Other company
and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which
they are associated. ASIO is a trademark and software of Steinberg Media
Technologies GmbH.
License
Dolby Master Studio driver is manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories;
DTS Connect driver is manufactured under license from Digital Theater Systems,
Inc.

vi

1
ASUS Xonar DSX
1. Introduction
1.1 Package contents
• ASUS Xonar DSX PCIE audio card
• S/PDIF TOSLINK optical adapter x1
• Low Prole Bracket x1
• Support CD
• Quick Start Guide
1.2 System requirements
• One PCIE 1.0 (or higher) compatible slot for the audio card
• Microsoft®Windows®Vista (32/64bit) / XP (32/64bit) / 7 / MCE2005
• Intel®Pentium® 4 1.4 GHz or AMD® Athlon 1400 CPU or faster CPU
• 256 MB (or above) DRAM system memory
• 60 MB available HDD space for driver installation package
• CD-ROM drive (or DVD-ROM drive ) for software installation
• High-quality headphones, powered analog speakers, or a Dolby Digital or DTS
decoder, to enjoy the ultra-high delity sound of the card

2ASUS Xonar DSX
1.3 Specications summary
(continued on the next page)
Items Description
Audio Performance
Output Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-
Weighted):
Up to 107dB
Input Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-
Weighted):
100 dB
Output Total Harmonic Distortion +
Noise at 1kHz (A-Weighted):
Up to 0.0017% (-95dB)
Input Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise
at 1kHz (A-Weighted):
Up to 0.0017% (-95dB)
Frequency Response
(-3dB, 24-bit/96kHz input):
<10Hz to 48KHz
Output/Input Full-Scale Voltage 1 Vrms (5.65 Vp-p)
Sample Rate Conversion Quality Almost lossless, high-delity oating-point lters, with:
-140dB THD+N (typical value for 44.1K->48KHz, 24bit)
145dB Dynamic Range (typical value for
44.1K->48KHz, 24bit)
Bus Compatibility
PCI Express PCI Express v1.0 or above bus compatible
Main Chipset
Audio Processor ASUS AV66 High-Performance Sound Processor (Max.
192KHz/24bit)
D-A Converter of Digital Sources: Wolfson WM8776*1 (108dB SNR, Max. 192kHz/24bit)
Wolfson WM8766*1 (103dB SNR, Max. 192kHz/24bit)
A-D Converter for Analog Inputs: Wolfson WM8776*1 (102dB SNR, Max. 96kHz/24bit)
Sample Rate and Resolution
Analog Playback Sample Rate and
Resolution
44.1K/48K/96K/192KHz @ 16/24bit for all channels
Analog Recording Sample Rate and
Resolution
44.1K/48K/96K @ 16/24bit
S/PDIF Digital Output 44.1K/48K/96K/192KHz @ 16/24bit, Dolby Digital, DTS,
WMA-Pro
ASIO 2.0 Driver Support: 44.1K/48K/96K/192KHz @ 16/24bit
I/O Ports
Analog Output Jack: 3.50mm mini jack*4 (Front/Side/Center-Subwoofer/Back)
Analog Input Jack: 3.50mm mini jack*1 (Line-In/Mic-In)
Other line-level analog input (for CD-
IN/TV Tuner):
Aux-In (4-pin header on the card)

3
ASUS Xonar DSX
*Specications are subject to change without notice.
Items Description
Digital S/PDIF Output High-bandwidth Optical Connector supports 192KHz/24bit
(shared with Back surround output jack)
- additional S/PDIF out header for HDMI audio output
Front-Panel Audio Header Intel HDA front-panel compatible and supports HP jack-
detection and automatically switch audio output from
back-panel to front
Driver Features
Operating System Windows® XP(32/64bit) / Vista/ 7 / MCE2005
DTS®Technologies DTS Connect (DTS Interactive Encoder and DTS Neo:PC)
for both Windows®XP and Windows®Vista
- DTS Interactive encodes any 3D gaming audio into true-to-
life 5.1 DTS Digital surround sound experience
- DTS Neo:PC could expand any stereo music to 7.1
surround sounds
DirectSound3D Game Extensions 2.5
(DS3D GX 2.5)/DirectX
DS3D GX 2.5.0 supports EAX gaming sound effects and
DirectSound 3D hardware enhanced functions on Windows®
Vista. (DirectX/DirectSound 3D compatible)
Smart Volume Normalizer™ Normalizes the volume of all audio sources into a constant
level and also enhances your 3D sound listening range and
advantages in gaming
VocalFX™ The latest vocal effect technologies for gaming and VoIP,
including:
-VoiceEX: produces vivid environmental reverberation for
your voice in EAX games
-ChatEX: emulates different background environment effects
when you chat online
-Magic Voice: changes your voice pitch to different types
(Monster/Cartoon...) for disguising your real voice or just for
fun in online chatting
Karaoke Functions Music Pitch-Shifting, Voice Cancellation, and Microphone
Echo effects with Stereo Mix recording (Wave and Mic-In) for
online Karaoke or online DJ applications
FlexBass™ Professional Bass Management/Enhancement system
Xear 3D™ Virtual Speaker Shifter Adjustable virtual 7.1-speaker positioning
Other Effects 10-band Equalizer/27 Environment Effects
3D Gaming Sound Engines/APIs Windows Vista: DirectSound3D®GX 2.5, EAX®2.0&1.0,
DirectSound®HW, DirectSound®SW, A3D® 10, OpenAL
generic modes, 128 3D sounds processing capability
Accessories
Accessories - Low prole bracket
-S/PDIF TOSLINK optical adapter

4ASUS Xonar DSX
2. Xonar DSX card layout
1
2
3
4
5
Audio ports
1
2
3
4
5
678
9

5
ASUS Xonar DSX
No Item Description
1 Microphone In port Connect your external PC microphone to this 3.5mm port for voice
input. Built-in high-quality Microphone pre-amplier.
1 Line In port Connect analog devices like MP3 players, CD players, music
synthesizers and other line-level sound sources to this 3.5mm port
for audio recording or processing. (Through Ultra-high delity 102dB
SNR A-D converter)
2 Headphone/Front
Out port
Connect your headphones or 2/2.1 channel speakers to this 3.5mm
port. For multi-channel speaker systems, connects to the front
left/right input on the powered speakers.
3 Side Surround Out
port
Connects to the surround channel input on 4/4.1/5.1/6.1/7.1 powered
analog speakers.
4 Center/Subwoofer
Out port
Connects to the center/subwoofer input on 5.1/6.1/7.1 powered
analog speakers.
5 Rear/back Surround
Out port
Connects to the Back Surround input on 6.1/7.1 powered analog
speakers.
5 S/PDIF Out port Optical TOSLINK digital output port. Connects to external digital
decoder or digital speaker systems, Home Theater systems, AV
receivers for outputting digital audio including PCM, DTS Digital, DTS,
WMA-Pro, etc.
6 Front panel audio
header
Intel HDA front-panel compatible and supports HP jack-detection and
automatically switch audio output from the back panel to the front
panel.
Supports both front-panel and sound card mic input mixing
7 Aux Input Header Usually connects to the Analog Audio output of TV tuner card or
other sound source inside your PC system. (To monitor your TV tuner
card’s audio from this Aux-In, you must enable the “monitor” function
for Aux-In in the Xonar DSX Audio Center‘s recording mixer.)
8 S/PDIF Out header Connects to the graphics card with HDMI support.
9 PCI Express Bus
Golden Fingers
Insert into the PCI Express slot on your motherboard.

6ASUS Xonar DSX
3. Installing the hardware
3.1 Installing the audio card
Before you proceed with the following installation steps, it’s
recommended that you disable your onboard audio device in your
BIOS settings, or uninstall any other audio cards on your PC. (For
BIOS setting or uninstallation of other sound cards, refer to the user
manuals of your motherboard and audio card.)
Installing the Xonar DSX card
1. Power OFF the computer, the monitor, and all other peripheral devices
connected to your computer.
2. Unplug the computer power cord from your computer and power outlet.
3. Touch the metal back or side panel of the computer to avoid static electricity.
4. Remove the chassis cover.
5. Remove the metal bracket from an available PCIE slot for the Xonar DSX
audio card.
6. Carefully insert the audio card into the PCIE slot. Ensure the audio card sits
properly in place.
7. Secure the audio card with screws and the metal bracket.
8. Put back the chassis cover.
9. Reconnect all cables.
10. Plug the power cord to the computer and to a power outlet.
11. Power ON the computer.
12

7
ASUS Xonar DSX
3.2 Connecting to a TV tuner card
1. If you have a traditional PCIE or PCIE TV tuner card on your PC, you may
need to connect it to the Xonar DSX card to send the tuner card’s sound to
your PC speakers.
2. Secure the PCIE/PCIE TV tuner card and screw it into the back-panel.
3. Connect the audio output header from the TV tuner card to the Aux-In header
of the Xonar DSX card.
For optimum TV audio quality, Xonar DSX uses ADC recording to
digitize the signal and loops it back to DAC playback. Select Aux-In as
the recording source in the Xonar DSX Center’s recording mixer and
enable the monitoring button to pass this signal to the audio output.
Using this setup, you can even turn on sound effects such as Pro-
Logic IIx to expand the stereo TV audio to 5.1 or 7.1 channel surround
sound. TV audio on your PC will become even better than on your TV
set.

8ASUS Xonar DSX
4. Installing software
Installing the card driver
Ensure that you have installed the audio card driver before installing
the Xonar DSX driver. Otherwise, driver installation error may occur.
1. After you have installed the Xonar DSX card, turn on your computer.
Windows®automatically detects the audio card and searches for device
drivers. When prompted for the drivers, click Cancel.
2. Insert the support CD into the optical drive. If Autorun is enabled in your
system, the setup starts automatically. If not, run setup.exe from your
support CD.
3. Follow the onscreen instructions to nish the installation.
The version and content of the support CD are subject to change
without notice.

9
ASUS Xonar DSX
5. Connecting speakers and peripherals
5.1 Connecting digital speaker systems (Home Theater)
The Xonar DSX supports DTS Interactive technologies, which transcode any
audio, including games and music, into industry-standard DTS surround bit-
streams. This makes playback through your home theater system possible,
creating an immersive and impressive cinema surround sound experience. A single
digital cable connection can carry high-quality DTS digital audio from any of your
PC audio sources to any digital speakers or AV Receivers with DTS 5.1 decoding
capabilities.
You can also use a coaxial cable for a S/PDIF connection. Just plug
the coaxial RCA male connector to the S/PDIF-Out combo jack and
connect the other end into the coaxial S/PDIF input on your decoder.
No Item Description
1 Optical adapter Plug the optical TOSLINK adapter into the S/PDIF-Out combo
connector.
2 Optical cable Connect your decoder’s S/PDIF-In port to the optical adapter with the
TOSLINK optical cable.
1
2
SPDIF Out

10 ASUS Xonar DSX
5.2 Connecting stereo headphones
5.2.1 Connecting Stereo Headphones
Headphone Out
No Item Description
1 Front Out/Headphone
Jack
The Front Out jack has a built-in high-quality amplier to drive
headphones. Connect your stereo headphones directly to this jack.

11
ASUS Xonar DSX
5.2.2 Connecting 5.1 channel Headphones
1
2
3
No Item Description
1 Front Out Connect the front-channel 3.5mm plug of your 5.1 headphones into
this jack.
2 Side Surround Out Connect the surround-channel 3.5mm plug of your 5.1 headphone
into this jack.
3 Center/Subwoofer Out Connect the Center/Bass-channel 3.5mm plug of your 5.1 headphone
into this jack.

12 ASUS Xonar DSX
5.3 Connecting Analog Speaker Systems
5.3.1 Connecting Analog Power Amplier
1
2
3
4
No Item Description
1 Front Out Connects to the “left front” and “right front” input ports of the analog
amplier with the mini-jack to RCA cable.
2 Side Surround Out Connects to the “left surround” and “right surround” input ports of the
analog amplier with the mini-jack to RCA cable.
3 Center/Subwoofer Connects to the “Center” and “subwoofer” input ports of the analog
amplier with the mini-jack to RCA cable.
4 Back Surround Out Connects to the “left back” and “right back” input ports of the analog
amplier with the mini-jack to RCA cable.

13
ASUS Xonar DSX
5.3.2 Connecting 2/2.1 channel speakers
No Item Description
1 Front Out/Headphone
Jack
Connect the 2/2.1 speaker set’s 3.5mm plug into this Front Out jack.
1
2 Speakers
2.1 Speakers
1

14 ASUS Xonar DSX
5.3.3 Connecting 4/4.1 Channel Speakers
No Item Description
1 Front Out Connects to the Front input port of the 4/4.1 speakers with the mini-
jack cable.
2 Side Surround Out Connects to the Surround input port of the 4/4.1 speakers with the
mini-jack cable.
1
2
1
2
4 Speakers
4.1 Speakers